Toyota's Sporty Hybrid Concept

Toyota showed a hybrid sports car at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan that aims to redefine the sports car for the 21st century. According to Toyota, the FT-HS is designed to appeal to eco-conscious buyers that expect high-technology performance by combining hybrid capability with a sleek profile, lightweight materials, and high power output for quick acceleration. The two-plus-two, rear wheel drive concept car features a 3.5-liter V-6 integrated into a hybrid system for a combined power output of 400 horsepower. Toyota expects zero-to-60 mph acceleration in the four-second range.

The design of the FT-HS certainly took efficiency into account. The exterior - the work of Toyota's California-based design studios - features a sculpted front and rear that removes mass around key functional components. Hard-edge "Aero-Corners" are intended to promote smooth airflow and reduce turbulence. Light-emitting diode (LED) clusters are located in the headlamps and the rear wing for energy efficiency and decreased heat loss. The driver-oriented interior integrates many useful functions into a lightweight structural unit. Decidedly high-tech yet aimed at a mid-priced market position, some are wondering if the FT-HS isn't a blueprint for the next Toyota Supra. We'll have to wait and see.