By Anthony Henson, October 26, 2023
On the Japan Mobility Present, a.okay.a. the Japan Electrical Car Present, Toyota revealed what could be the clandestine star of the occasion—an electrical sports activities coupe idea, albeit not carrying the famend MR2 nameplate. For these unfamiliar, the Toyota MR2 is a mid-engine compact sports activities coupe designed for the lots and propelled by a diminutive inline 4-cylinder engine.
The MR2, produced in Japan and marketed globally by Toyota from 1984 till 2007 throughout three generations, met its demise, fading into the footnotes of automotive historical past as a result of declining gross sales. Now, it has been resurrected as an EV sports activities coupe idea often called the Toyota FT-SE.
The Toyota FT-SE is all the things that Toyota usually isn’t—thrilling to behold. Though technical particulars weren’t disclosed, you may be sure it will likely be powered by a potent EV powertrain. The accompanying video offers a glimpse of the inside, showcasing a super-simple dashboard format, exactly what one wishes in a sports activities coupe—no distractions, simply most focus.
Will Toyota ever produce this Lotus Evora-influenced EV sports activities coupe? Unlikely. Toyota tends to draw back from something too exhilarating, preferring to fabricate sedentary automobiles to maximise earnings. Toyota’s outward dedication to electrical automobiles is gaining momentum, but behind closed doorways, senior company executives stay unconvinced. The FT-SE Idea is merely a showcase piece.
