Many are hailing the shock unveil of the Toyota FT-1 Concept in Detroit as a master class in modern automotive marketing. With no leaked or pre-show teaser images to speak of; something automotive journalists are quickly growing tired off… don’t you know PR people; the Toyota FT-1 Concept maximised its first time wow factor to steel all the North American Motor Show limelight last month.
Better still, the FT-1; which stands for ‘Future Toyota,’ is now available for download on the latest Gran Turismo game, so gamers can have their share of the FT-1 fun straight away. Marketing aspects aside, the latest Toyota Concept is believed to showcase the brand’s next Supra sports car, should it stick with the iconic name.
Even if it isn’t actually called a Toyota Supra it does share illustrious company alongside the 2000GT, Celica, MR-2, original Hachi-Roku, Supra and most recently, the wildly successful 86. Of course there are no technical details available on such a conceptual vehicle but Toyota say it will have a high-technology, high-performance drivetrain.
We’re all aware of the future product tie-in to build rear-wheel drive, four- and six-cylindered cars with BMW and the FT-1 is undoubtedly the first fruit of that brave process. In fact, the FT-1 Concept designers, who are based in California; say the car answers global president Akio Toyoda’s call for the most emotive designs displaying the brand’s energy and passion. The FT-1 project is already two years in the making and the fact that no images have snuck their way out to the media is testament to the seriousness with which this project is clearly being treated.
The aggressive aero-inspired intakes, muscly active rear wing and yet classic sports car proportions with the wraparound cockpit positioned rearward, clearly signify that this car means business. Like it? Don’t forget to sample the virtual version as a download on Gran Turismo 6.
