Ultra light and aerodynamic with hyper-efficient powertrain
By Gavin Conway on February 22, 2012 2:45 PM
Toyota will remind the world that it owns the hybrid sector when it unveils the FT-Bh concept at the Geneva Motor Show on 6th March.
The FT-Bh, which rather unsexily means 'Future Toyota B-segment hybrid', aims to “break new boundaries in small car efficiency”.
B-segment cars include the likes of the Ford Fiesta, VW Polo and Vauxhall Corsa – Toyota claims its concept is at least as spacious as these contenders but weighs less than 800kgs.
The blue tint has become Toyota's signature hybrid colour. The headlight design, particularly that free-standing vane (seen right), is a crucial part of aero package.That’s pretty good going as Toyota’s titchy Aygo city car is heavier than that. The concept also generates half the CO2 of the Aygo, another big score.
Making a car that light isn’t difficult if you throw huge bags of money at it – using materials such as carbon-fibre, magnesium and, if you’re really going for it, titanium makes huge weight savings perfectly feasible.
The flowing, rippling lines of the rear lights is pure concept – would be difficult to mass produce. The matrix design of light strip (right) is a bit fussy, but you can get away with it on a concept car.That’s why Toyota reckons the FT-Bh is so special – it says no exotic materials or expensive techniques have been used to create this concept. The focus has been on conventional weight reduction, aerodynamic efficiency, electricity and heat management and powertrain efficiency (the concept uses a downsized full hybrid powertrain, although it isn’t a plug-in).
Another important part of the aero package, these wheels (left) are clearly designed to manage airflow. The honeycomb effect (right), used here on the interior trim, is probably meant as an homage to the concept’s structural lightness.In that time-honoured tradition of leaking bits and pieces, Toyota isn’t revealing all until 10:15am on 6th March at the Geneva unveiling. But from what we’ve seen in the close up images and video, this really is a pure concept rather than a production-car teaser.