Ahead of the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, Toyota has revealed teasers and some design details of two battery electric vehicle (BEV) concept models, dubbed FT-3e and FT-Se. The fact that they are BEVs is no surprise, given that these models will be on display in a booth titled ‘Let’s Change the Future of Cars ― Find Your Future.’ While the current visuals do not reveal in-depth information about the styling, what is clear is that the FT-3e belongs to the crossover/SUV genre while the FT-Se is a sporty two-door. And while Toyota has not revealed any background about the nomenclature of these models, it can be assumed that ‘FT’ refers to ‘Future Toyota’, based on past models. The 2014 FT-1 Concept went on to become the Supra in 2020, which also hints at the imminent arrival of the production versions of the new FT Concepts. Here’s a look at what we know about these two concept vehicles:
Toyota FT-3e Concept
From the teasers, the FT-3e Concept looks like it’s about the same size as the Toyota bZ4X, which is one of the brand’s latest EVs. The coupe-like silhouette is apparent in the shadow teaser, along with a full-width light bar at the rear. An interesting innovation seen on it is digital displays running from the lower side body to almost the beltline on the door.
Toyota claims these displays provide information such as battery charge level, onboard temperature, and interior air quality when the driver approaches the car.
The overall styling and fitment of body panels seem quite geometric. Some reports suggest that Toyota has a trademark on the FT-3e name in the US, which hints at the arrival of a production version down the line.
Toyota FT-Se Concept
The FT-Se will be the one to watch out for at this year’s Japan Mobility Show because it hints at Toyota’s all-new electric sports car. Toyota is calling it a ‘high-performance sports BEV model’, which is also evident from the multiple ‘GR’ badges present on it, and from the fact that Toyota has added newly designed kneepads for protection from the G-forces. So, one can expect motorsport levels of performance that Gazoo Racing vehicles are famous for.
Its wide and low proportions, along with a sleek silhouette, hint at aerodynamic efficiency, and the overall design seems to be inspired by the Toyota Sports EV Concept of 2021.
Inside, the cockpit offers a yoke-style steering wheel and a triple-screen layout, comprising a digital instrument cluster on top, and two vertical screens on either side of the steering, presumably for infotainment and driver controls. The FT-Se is also said to share major components with the FT-3e.
The final specifications and details of both these vehicles are expected to be revealed in full once the Japan Mobility show kicks off.
Toyota’s EV Game Plan
In 2021, Toyota announced a target to sell 3.5 million electric vehicles globally by 2030, with an investment of about $70 billion in its electrified vehicle portfolio till the year. The plan also includes Toyota launching as many as 30 new EV models by that year. So far, the new EV models seen so far include the bZ4X SUV and the bZ3 sedan.
This year, Toyota announced that its next-generation EVs will head into production from 2026 via a new BEV factory. The automaker also announced a breakthrough in battery technology. In short, the Japanese brand is working on four next-generation battery types, three based on liquid electrolyte battery tech (namely Performance, Popularisation, and High-Performance) and one with solid-state battery tech.