The 2014 Detroit Auto Show is underway and Toyota is taking it by storm. Today he released the FT-1 concept car and all I can say is “wow”. This is a car that makes me think inappropriately.
Developed at Toyota’s Calty design studio and himself commissioned by Akio Toyoda, the FT-1 represents the future of Toyota design. Akio Toyoda wants to make cars that will make people say “I want this… I HAVE to drive this!”
Actually FT-1 is short for “Future Toyota One”. Okay, so the name isn’t great, but if this is the future of Toyota, sign me up.
According to lead designer Alex Shen, “Function Sculpting” was at the heart of the design. The words might be just so much designer claptrap, but the result is that this car looks like it’s ready to fly off the stand and do some lightning time on the track.
The proportions are absolutely classic sports car. I like that the hood is two-thirds the length and that the driver is almost sitting on the rear wheels. This thing just looks mean… and fast. In fact, from the side, the FT-1 reminds me of the SRT Viper and – trust me – that’s a good thing.
The front end looks like it was inspired by a Formula 1 car, with its aggressively protruding nose. But it’s not all about racing car futurism, the headlights and bonnet that descends to the glass bonnet are all classic sports car lines. It is a stunning combination of aggression and sensual style. And on this car, the promise of speed does not look like an empty boast.
Inside, the cockpit is surprisingly down-to-earth and concept-focused, reinforcing the sense that this is more than just a show car. You get fancy touches like a heads-up display and a steering wheel with buttons, but mostly you get a racing driving position with excellent fields of vision.
As I sit here writing, I can’t tell you how much I want to drive this thing. I’m willing this car to be the next Toyota Supra so my eyes will start bleeding. And there is hope that my heartache may not be in vain, because we know that Toyota and BMW are planning to make a joint sports car. Could it please look like this?
To get a feel for what the FT-1 is like, we don’t even have to wait that long as starting tomorrow the car will be available for download in Gran Turismo 6. In fact, the final part of the design pitch to Mr. Toyoda had him driving the FT-1 on his PS4, after beating his real time in the Lexus LFA he was sold.
All this is because this car is the embodiment of Toyota’s new design philosophy: Waku Doki. Literally translated, it means a palpable feeling of excitement that makes the heart pound. After seeing the FT-1, I prefer to use a slightly more American spin: YEEEE-HAH!
Video first look
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Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn