Toyota Means War: The FT-1 Is The Supra Reborn

Upon awaking this morning, I can say that the posts on my social media feeds fell into two categories: ones that were about Toyota’s new FT-1 Concept Car unveiled in Detroit today, and the ones that were not. The split seemed to be about 60/40 in favor of the Toyota, so you know that it’s going to be a pretty big deal.

Then again, if you take one look at the car it’s not hard to see what all the excitement is about.

FT1-04

There have long been rumors of a Toyota releasing a successor to the beloved Supra, and this appears to be it. The FT-1 was penned by the folks at Toyota’s Calty studio in California and is said to mix the character from Toyota’s sports cars of the past with modern design. The wrap-around windshield for example is a nod to the Toyota 2000GT, while a retractable rear wing brings to mind the Lexus LFA. You can also see plenty of influence from the current Toyota 86 and Scion FR-S in the car’s lines. And let’s face it – it’s got some serious presence.

Toyota has also released this video showing what the concept looks like in the flesh. As for a powerplant, Toyota has confirmed that the car is front-engined and rear-wheel drive, but has left the engine specs “up to one’s imagination”.

FT1-03

We reckon Toyota’s on a home run here – first the runaway success of the ZN6 and now this? Calty’s Chief Designer, Alex Shen, has described it as “…an aggressive, track-focused sports car concept with a presence that has been amplified for shock and awe”. Yep, that’s right, shock and awe – it’s a vehicle best described using military terminology. This means war…

Bryn’s on-site at the Detroit Motor Show right at this very moment gathering photos of the FT-1 in person to bring to you later, so keep your eyes peeled for more coverage soon!

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1

That front end is a bit too F1 for me but im stoked to see this thing finally unveiled!

2

That rear end, roof line, and side profile are gorgeous. The front may take some getting used to, but I can see the direction they were trying to go. Maybe a more subtle version on a production model will look better. Either way, very excited for this car.

3
Pete the perfect pilot

Time for mazda to get real and bring a new rx7 to the game!

4
Pete the perfect pilot

Time for mazda to get real and bring a new rx7 to the game!

5

Looks like its rear engine from the video?

6

Front is a bit odd but hey, it's a concept. Concepts almost always get toned down before production.

7

im very glad finished cars never look anything like the prototype in this case.. this looks just too much like a silly "hypercar" it needs to look a little doll and boring, not all up in your grill and pointy..

8

im very glad finished cars never look anything like the prototype in this case.. this looks just too much like a silly "hypercar" it needs to look a little doll and boring, not all up in your grill and pointy..

9

very brave styling, love the nose, looks fantastic!

why not make the mad cars a little easier to afford :)

10

Design looks flipping awesome! Really digging the rear view mirrors. Kudos to Toyota for starting a revolution!

11

Pete the perfect pilot haha...  New RX-7 it`s too risky! but... i`d like see a new Mazda RX-7

12

Oh my ... I want it.

13

"Supra Reborn"  That remains to be seen; this is after all Toyota.  So far their track record with modern sports cars has been less than stellar.  Yeah, you know what I'm calling out...

14

Oh my god, that profile, roofline and back are all to f*cking die for <3 The nose is a bit wild for a street car, and I think it will take some time getting used to, but the visibility of the two fans are bonkers. Reminds me of jetengines, only sucking instead of blowing lol. Really hoping that they go forth and make this (probably a little more toned down, but it will still be bonkers!)

15

Please dear god give this a twin turbo inline-6, with a 6 speed manual... That's all I ask

16

You can really see the F1 influences on the car especially the front end.  I wonder if this car, when/if moved to production, would be part of the joint venture between BMW and Toyota product sharing?

17

The details are a bit fussy for my liking, but the overall proportions and shape are very nice. Obviously if it does get made (and I hope it does), it will be toned down a bit over the concept I'd br interested to know what the engine is.
The prospects of being able to buy this, an 86/BRZ or a new RX7 in a few years is very tasty. Now we need Nissan to join the party with a new S-series!

18

The details are a bit fussy for my liking, but the overall proportions and shape are very nice. Obviously if it does get made (and I hope it does), it will be toned down a bit over the concept I'd br interested to know what the engine is.
The prospects of being able to buy this, an 86/BRZ or a new RX7 in a few years is very tasty. Now we need Nissan to join the party with a new S-series!

19

JoseFickert Pete the perfect pilot According to an article on Motor Trend they are in R&D for the Mazda RX-9 (which will be a 2-door rotary powered coupe) but with Mazda's R&D focus on their SkyActiv engines and transmissions for the new MX-5 it will be a while since they have a really small crew working on this. So it's coming but no one has any idea when.

20

JoseFickert Pete the perfect pilot According to an article on Motor Trend they are in R&D for the Mazda RX-9 (which will be a 2-door rotary powered coupe) but with Mazda's R&D focus on their SkyActiv engines and transmissions for the new MX-5 it will be a while since they have a really small crew working on this. So it's coming but no one has any idea when.

21

Hoping it was a 2+2 GT car like the Supra

22

This looks like a C7 competitor, I would love to see how this car evolves. In my opinion Toyota has the ability to do some interesting things here with what it's learned from the LF-A.

23

hats off Toyota, this looks like a really exciting car

24
Chris 'Haffy' Hafner

As per the 86/BRZ concepts, this will NEVER look like this. But the ideas are there, I'm thinking it'll end up a slightly larger, fatter version of the 86. The "up to one's imagination" tag for the engine specs is interesting, let's hope for the new gen of straight 6 turbos hopefully. But let's be realistic, I'm thinking a slightly modded 5.0 V8 out of the IS-F.

25
Charles Montgomery III

I hope the badging stays as a Toyota :O

26

Inline six turbo?

27

Toyota is the pioneer of Japanese supercar. Its time to bring it back.

28

When I saw the first FT-86 concept I pulled my wife over and said "I hope they don't change a thing getting it ready for production", but they did, and I still love the GT-86 but the concept was better looking IMO. I'm going the other way with this one. I like it, and by the time they soften it up a bit for production(if it goes that far) I bet I'm going to LOVE it.

29

Noah_Lines for the price tag this thing is going to command, it better. And it better not need skinny tires to do it.

30

Chris 'Haffy' Hafner i betbyou are correct with the engine :-/

31

Asger well, jet engines are sucking from the front end too...

32

@Scrotum um, see thru hood with engine inside?

33

Can't wait.

35

Interesting concept, like most of the consensus out there im not too fond of the front end either. I also find myself in the strange position that for the first time I dont want the concept to look like the final production model (if of course it ever happens) Toned down with a bit more refinement will go a long way. As for the engine specs, i can only speculate, but based on the video it definitely looks like a v pattern engine, and to be honest it almost looks longer than a v8...v10? maybe even a reincarnated GZ v12?! that would  be nice... The steering wheel has a digital 7 so im guessing its a 7 speed. The dash seems to indicate an 8k rpm limit... nice. And as far as I could tell there were no boost gauges so its a good chance this thing is NA. Id like to hear what you guys think or noticed :)

36

When it debuts--the toned down production version--it will most likely be priced comparatively with the Dodge SRT-10, GTR, and other 80-100k supercars. Looking forward to when it comes out.

37

straight six?

38

I hope so. It could be seriously awesome if they do.

39

goddam its ugly. toyata is making some pretty fugly cars...new corolla was a horrible looking thing and now this?

40

I love it. To me it looks like it should be the new RX7 tho for some reason... Those lines. Those curves. So good.

41

Just curious...Are they still working with BMW on the powerplant?

42

Love the overall feel of this one. Looks like it could go in hover mode if possible with those fans and wing.

43

OR 2000GT reborn.

44

I LOVE IT!! So far, no one has said it looks like x, y, or z...
obviously cues from FT-HS concept, frs etc.
but it's a great, strong,unique,brave FUTURE-IS-NOW design.
With the BMW partnership my guess is its an inline 6 with yamaha vvt-i heads 
and manual transaxle in back? #corvette fighter
Or 4 cyl with electric motors like the Toyota Hybrid R Concept? (think BMW i8)
MAYBE its a MR2 with AWD #alfa 4c fighter
Sooo many variants and possibilities with this package O_O

45

That profile. That roof line, That rear window. It all screams 2000GT and it's brilliant!

46

They brought both the 2000GT & the Supra into this car. It's evident. Those side mirrors are definitely 2000GT inspired. From the side, you can see a modern day Supra with a little bit of 2000GT. The car is amazing.

47

That is insane !
This car is just gorgeous !

So much hype, just like the ft-86. Even though the made pretty much only boring cars for so long, they still manage to genuinely excite !
Can't wait to see the final version, and then see it tested !
And then are they gonna bring back the mr-2 next ???

48

robzor Yes! My thoughts exactly!

49
turbo BEAMS ae86

Wildcardfox hopefully less than the RCF

50
turbo BEAMS ae86

Charles Montgomery III Same my man...good point

51

Slap on a Turbo iL6 and we're good to go

52

Introducing the new race car for the streets the Toyota supra!

53

For me this car is almost too exotic, which means the price tag will be through the roof... 

With all those winglets and aggressive styling (perfect as it is standard), any after-market personalisation may be seen as over-the-top or it will compromise the dynamics of the car...(like the Night Glow Performance Package of the McLaren P1 UGLY!!) 

However, each to their own... I guess it would look good at the CEO's place.

54

Awww jiss!

As much as im a Skyline Fanboy, i really want that Toyota Re-Releaesed it's famous Supra!
That ass is seriously hot! But i don't know what the ment with that strange Enzo Style Front.....
Slap and would be 3JZ in it and we all will go nuts! 
6 Speed Manual and we will be having the late 90s again <3

I seriously hope Toyota will hear their Fans out, but i guess they will.....

Now we just need a New RX9? from Mazda :3

55

hey back to the drawing board this thing is ugly learn from the designs that made the car such an icon elements that embody Toyota sports car heritage because this thing is not going anywhere if it hits the market believe me what people want is the supra to be cool to look at while embodying that icon and something that will give Nissan a good competitor for its Gtr segment I mean really who's gonna embrace such an ugly car I mean look at it

56

As history shows us the ft-86 concept ii looked completely different to the very first concept car. So this design shouldn't be taken as the final...
But see here's the thing: this car will not be progressed towards production spec. In fact it will never be a real road car. This is simply a demonstration of the direction Toyota will be choosing to take on its future sports cars, as this concept is supposed to create emotion so they say. This concept was purely designed to only be a concept and for living in the virtual world of Gran Turismo. But Toyota I do commend you for your great interest in bringing back some of that old Toyota excitement.

57
turbo BEAMS ae86

Rü$╫ Go google some pictures of the toyota GTONE ts020...looks more like that

58

IN MY PERSONAL OPINION: I think that if they say this is the next supra, they went overboard, in my opinion they should have went a little...lot more subtle with the lines and not as futuristic. Now if its the 2000gt then its not as big a problem, but please, dont ruin the supras name like this

60

I  wonder would it have the engine from the TMG twin turbo Lexus LS concept

61

ILoveDrifting19 ooooh yeah its a concept huh? if i could have it my way it would go back to the boxy 84 the mk4 was the only curved lined one. i think it looks just fine and it is still under production. now if the production model comes out looking like crap then post about ruining the supra heritage but until then....shhhhhhhhhh

62

ILoveDrifting19 ooooh yeah its a concept huh? if i could have it my way it would go back to the boxy 84 the mk4 was the only curved lined one. i think it looks just fine and it is still under production. now if the production model comes out looking like crap then post about ruining the supra heritage but until then....shhhhhhhhhh

63

SparkyR_1Completely different? I have to disagree. For being an early concept, I think the production model resembled it quite a lot.

64

This car is also now in Gran Turimso 6, with full interior! I have to admit, I didn't really like the car, but after a lap around Willow Springs, I like it!

65

epicmotorwerkshey man i think you oughta exercise your right to proper grammar and punctuation 'cause ain't nothin' poorer on tha Interwebz than a run-on sentence ya know what I'm sayin' it don't look too good the point is that you gonna diss wild-ass concept car then you gotta at least show some self-respect while doin' it and frankly I love this design 'cause it really stands out real distinct-like except for the roofline which does seem to borrow from the GT-R and yet in spite of it all one can separate it from all the other sports cars from around the world and believe me that ain't no mean feat

66

@tgt I guess Toyota can scratch your name off its prospective customer list. Oh, wait, maybe it was never there to begin with.

67

wheatgod Yeah. Maybe then it would be harder to distinguish from every other sports car in the world.

68

The front end will definitely change for the street version. Looks awesome!

69

...and the engine looks inline 6 to me...

70

I think (apart from that nose, like everyone else, although I recon it would grow on me after a while) that it looks amazing. The rear 3/4 view is awesome.

Engine wise, if they are actually working with BMW on it the fan boys might be lucky and get their straight six but from the peak through the bonnet in the video it looks to me like a V8, too wide for a straight six and there's the 4 silver lines down the middle.

 Hopefully they do get around to building it and don't massively over price it.

71

Such a great car, but the nose should change indeed. Motor Trend made a cool video about it as well. http://autostrada.tv/blog/2014/01/13/toyota-ft-1-concept-next-supra/

72

better be a straight 6

73

This would be a perfect opportunity to let the 1LR-GUE live on

74

Unbelievable toyota and the best model ever seen

75

I'm going tomorrow to the dealership to reserve mine!!

76

I don't have much confidence in an inline 6, even with the rumors of the BMW collab, and as much as I would love that, my biggest concern is please give this a stick. I guess an auto option couldn't hurt, but please not only auto.

77
awesomekidisawesome

Onecton RX-9 RZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!http://media.fyre.co/wuXc4qvbTKOeKTwfYivO_rx-vision.PNG

80

I agree its really good that manufacturers bring this kind of sports cars but the front of it, just don't look like a car, more of a sperm that has made its way into being a tron. hope they revise it ^ ^

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