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New Toyota FT-1 variants unveiled

Toyota unveils second design for FT-1 Concept, and a hotter Vision GT version makes its virtual debut in Gran Turismo 6

Following a successful debut at the Detroit Motor Show in January, the Toyota FT-1 has returned in a new “superhero”-inspired guise for the Monterey Auto Week

For its second outing the concept gains a graphite paint scheme and saddle-coloured leather upholstery, replacing the original’s red and black look for “a more sophisticated feel”.

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This may not seem particularly adventurous, but according to Selene Lee, the designer from Toyota’s CALTY creative studio who proposed both FT-1 colour schemes, interior inspiration came from materials used in today’s superhero costumes. 

More on Pebble Beach and Monterey Car Week

Having decided upon a more upmarket finish, the team compared various leathers for thickness, grain sizes and textures. Raised metal mesh and accents complete the look, providing seat ventilation and apparently “lending a more textural” effect that contrasts with the painted brown edges of the welded leather.

"From the start of the FT-1 project, we wanted the driver to have a feeling of flow while at the wheel – to be able to focus on the road and nothing else," explained Lee. " The saddle leather maintains that same 'in the zone' driving intention, while bringing in a more premium feeling."

Like the red FT-1, the graphite prototype will be available to download on Playstation’s Gran Turismo 6 virtual racing simulator for a limited time. 

And for good measure… FT-1 Vision Gran Turismo launched 

The Toyota FT-1 Concept has also been re-envisioned as an even more performance-oriented track car by its designers at the California-based CALTY studio.

Called the Vision Gran Turismo, it’ll be available to download on Gran Turismo 6 from September, and provides an insight into just how far a production FT-1 could be developed.

Toyota claims this is down to the original sports coupe concept’s “basic shape and architecture”, which enable the addition of extra cooling and downforce focused add-ons. 

Using a process CALTY dubs ‘function sculpting’, designers added larger tyres and wider wheelarches, plus bigger air intakes and an oversized rear wing. There’s also a revised rear diffuser that now houses enlarged fins and has been set further back for a cleaner airflow.

Now read all about the new Toyota Supra here...

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