Skip advert
Advertisement

New Toyota FT-Se concept has us weak at the knees

Toyota’s electric sports car concept previews an electric MR2 successor and the first EV from the brand’s Gazoo Racing division

The new Toyota FT-Se concept unveiled at the 2023 Tokyo Motor Show suggests the Japanese brand isn’t ready to quit the sports car game just yet, previewing the first EV from its Gazoo Racing division and a zero emissions successor to much-loved models like the MR2 and Celica.

The FT-Se is an evolution of the unnamed electric sports car concept that Toyota unveiled in 2021, with both sharing proportions to those of a mid-engined sports car. In fact, to our eyes the FT-Se’s silhouette bears a close resemblance to a Lotus Evora’s, with the Toyota featuring a similarly short bonnet, subtly flared rear wheelarches and gently sloping roofline.

The front end certainly makes an impact, with large, but thin vertical running lights flanking the sharp nose and enormous air intakes that should help cool both the brakes and battery underneath the car. The rear features a small ducktail spoiler that looks very similar to the Toyota Supra’s, however the enormous tail-lights that arch underneath the spoiler are unique to the FT-Se.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Inside, the electric two-seater features a steering yoke flanked by two small smartphone-style displays and a central spine that separates the driver and passenger. There’s also a much larger digital driver’s display recessed deep into the dashboard, which Toyota says ensures good visibility of the road ahead. Toyota claims this next-gen cockpit design offers “intuitive controls and a more immersive driving experience,” while the car’s set of lightly padded carbon fibre bucket seats should keep you in your place through fast corners. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The FT-Se was unveiled alongside a bold new electric SUV concept called the FT-3e. Toyota’s President and CEO, Koji Sato, said: “We are making battery EVs like only a true carmaker can. This means revisiting the fundamental principles of car making, and delivering basic performance, like driving range, as well as value that only battery EVs can offer.

“One example is making cars with both a low centre of gravity and a spacious interior, which was not possible in the past. To do this, we need to make the main components much smaller and lighter, and deploy our strengths as a carmaker to put them together in the best package possible.

“Achieving this means that the design, the driving feel, and everything else can be transformed.”

Toyota hasn’t shared much in terms of technical details, only that the FT-Se will incorporate expertise from its Gazoo Racing division’s “efforts to make ever-better cars through motorsports” and share key components with the FT-3e concept. The two concepts are likely to be sitting on the new modular architecture Toyota is sharing with its premium sister brand Lexus

The FT-Se and FT-3e, or at least their future road-going descendants, could also utilise Toyota’s next-generation battery technology announced in September. The Japanese giant is currently developing three new types of battery, including ‘performance’ and ‘high-performance’ lithium-ion packs that in the right EV could offer up to 497 and 621 miles of range, respectively. 

The first of Toyota’s next-gen battery technology isn’t due to arrive until 2026, but that does give us a decent indication of when Toyota’s first electric sports car might hit the road. Toyota is hoping to reduce the height of the batteries in its EVs from 150mm in the existing bZ4X SUV down to 100mm for a high-performance sports car, in part to achieve a low slung driving position.

Searching for the fun factor? These are the best sports car to buy right now...

Skip advert
Advertisement
News reporter

As our news reporter, Ellis is responsible for covering everything new and exciting in the motoring world, from quirky quadricycles to luxury MPVs. He was previously the content editor for DrivingElectric and won the Newspress Automotive Journalist Rising Star award in 2022.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Toyota Urban Cruiser EV: new cabin pictures and trim details released
Toyota Urban Cruiser - front 3/4 with Charlie

Toyota Urban Cruiser EV: new cabin pictures and trim details released

New compact electric SUV from Toyota opens its doors to give us a close look inside
News
10 Feb 2025
Best car makers for brand loyalty: only one can top Tesla
Toyota Prius - front cornering, close

Best car makers for brand loyalty: only one can top Tesla

Three in four Toyota buyers would stick with the brand in the future, with the firm’s premium marque, Lexus, also performing well in this regard
News
7 Feb 2025
New Toyota MR2 is all but confirmed
Toyota MR2 design render (watermarked)

New Toyota MR2 is all but confirmed

Work is under way on a new petrol two-seater that will use the mid-engined powertrain from Toyota's Tokyo Auto Salon concept
News
22 Jan 2025
Tokyo Auto Salon 2025: all the highlights and exciting new cars
Tokyo Auto Salon 2025 header image

Tokyo Auto Salon 2025: all the highlights and exciting new cars

TAS 2025 highlighted the latest in tuning, off-road accessories, and new cars...
News
14 Jan 2025

Most Popular

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options
Renault Clio design render - front

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options

Renault’s sixth-generation Clio hatchback will get a clean look and hi-tech kit, and our exclusive images show what it could look like
News
12 Feb 2025
The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027
Fiat Panda Cross - front static

The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027

Fiat will build a new city-sized Pandina based on the new 500 platform, bringing a proper, petrol powered A-segment city car to market as early as 202…
News
12 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: retro Renault 5 for £232 per month, plus four years to enjoy it
Renault 5 - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: retro Renault 5 for £232 per month, plus four years to enjoy it

The reborn Renault 5 is one of the most feverishly anticipated cars in a long time, and at such a low price, our Deal of the Day for 8 February is a p…
News
8 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts