Toyota FT-EV II Concept

Tags: concept cars, toyota, tokyo 2009 Published on 12 October 2009 | views

Unveiled by Toyota at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, the FT-EV II Concept is a study of an ultra-compact four-seater urban electric vehicle characterized by electric sliding doors, drive-by-wire technology and a retro-futuristic interior.

The FT-EV II, which stands for "Future Toyota Electric Vehicle II", is a concept car created in the pursuit of the ultimate environmentally-considerate vehicle and presented by the Japanese autoaker at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.

Its lithium-ion battery provides a cruising range of 90km on a full charge, maximum speed over 100km/h.

The distinctive, compact body has bright colors designed in accordance with Vibrant Clarity, Toyota-brand design philosophy. The compact exterior and retro-futuristic interior feature designs that evoke images of the future.

The exterior features a low front cowl and an additional window below the level of the windscreen to give extra forward visibility.

To improve safety through the quality of all-round vision, the rear lamp clusters are see-through LED units.

Electric sliding doors were designed with easy boarding and exiting in mind within a limited space; at the touch of a button, an LED turns on and the doors open and close.

A dye-sensitized solar panel and extra window provide excellent front visibility.

Drive-by-wire technology allows all the vehicle functions to be controlled using a joystick, including the accelerator, brakes and steering.

Removing the throttle and brake pedals frees up legroom for the four-seat design.

The console incorporates communications functions to achieve a more seamless link with information, expressing the new vehicle concept of the electric vehicle as an information device.

Enhanced communications functions enable the linking of individual drivers' information on a network, allowing the vehicle to connect with services that go beyond car navigation, such as recommending information tailored to the individual's preferences and downloading music and movie content.

Furthermore, the vehicle can connect to home networks to play a role in storing energy and saving large volumes of data, making the vehicle a new information device in the networked society of the future.

The FT-EV II is defined by Toyota as "a sustainable concept car that focuses on the relationship between cars, people and society of the future."

"The FT-EV II is primarily designed for short-distance travel and is positioned as a commuter vehicle for urban use, but as it integrates communications, it will become a device that can provide completely new links between vehicles and people."