Toyota
FT-HS Hybrid Vehicle Sports Car Concept: Why I am so
excited!
Thursday,
December 28, 2006
A
hot little carbon fiber sports hybrid is just what America
needs, right?
I try not to
become too excited about concept vehicles because too many
concept vehicles never become production vehicles. The
Toyota FT-HS hybrid sports concept vehicle is different -
thankfully.
First, this
concept hybrid car is being built on a production-ready platform,
so Toyota is essentially ready to produce this t-roof
hybrid sports car if they would like to, and let's hope
they do.
Second, what
is really intriguing about this vehicle is what it says
about the potential of hybrid technology and fuel
efficiency.
While global
warming activists and foreign oil dependency worry-warts -
such as myself - might not care about a hybrid vehicle
that goes 0-60 in 4 seconds, you still have to be
impressed that this blazing fast performance is achieved
with 4 cylinder economy car fuel efficiency. Consequently,
this next generation hybrid powertrain will also have an
incredible impact on Toyota's current line of hybrid
vehicles, increasing both performance and fuel economy.
So, how does
a 3.5 liter V-6 deliver 400 hp with V-4 fuel efficiency?
It appears
that Toyota's next generation Hybrid Synergy Drive is
going to utilize capacitors and lightweight lithium-ion
batteries that will offer an explosion of power when
needed via an extremely sophisticated power flow system.
Of course,
for those not as concerned about an explosion of power
necessary for a sports car, the same hybrid drive might
make the Prius a 70 or 80 mpg vehicle - in the real world,
not some mythical EPA world.
Still, aside
from the Hybrid Synergy Drive, there are some other very
interesting developments occurring in this hybrid concept, such as drive-by-wire
systems and carbon fiber materials. This vehicle is the
future, yet it's ready to be built today.
Because carbon
fiber is so light, it offers great fuel economy potential
for any class of vehicle, while also making vehicles even
stronger than today's vehicles. This material might be
just as important as hybrid technology.
Geez, carbon
fiber, drive-by-wire, capacitors and other fancy
technologies - one might think the FT-HS would be too
expensive to produce, right? Wrong! The cost of the FT-HS is only estimated to be $60,000.
Sure, that isn't cheap, but there are still many that can
afford such a vehicle. Moreover, the FT-HS demonstrates
that these advanced technologies and materials aren't
decades away from reality. Furthermore, economies of scale
could make these materials far cheaper for use in other
hybrid vehicles, such as the Prius.
If next
generation hybrid vehicles could be designed to achieve 70
mpg, without plug-in technology, how much more could they
achieve with plug-in technology?
That's why I
can't stop thinking about the FT-HS hybrid vehicle. While
I'd certainly be proud to own one, it isn't the FT-HS that
I care so much about, it's the potential of the technology
behind this wonderful hybrid vehicle. The FT-HS
demonstrates that the potential of hybrid technology is
just emerging and there is much more upside. Moreover, if
this next generation hybrid technology is combined with
materials, such as carbon fiber, mind-bending fuel
efficiency-achieving vehicles can be produced.
Considering
the dangers of foreign oil dependency, global warming,
etc., it's nice to know that we can change the world. The
only question left is, 'Do we have the courage to do the
right thing, instead of the bling-bling thing?'
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