Toyota Hybrid Concept Electrifies NAIAS

January 12, 2010 by Matt Keegan

Toyota FT-CH Hybrid Concept

When it comes to hybrid vehicles, Toyota easily leads the industry. The Toyota Prius is a runaway bestseller, while Lexus offers the only compact premium hybrid model on the market.

Toyota isn’t planning on stopping there, however. The Japanese automaker is looking at bringing out several new models over the next five years including plug-in hybrid, battery electric vehicles, and quite possibly the first production ready hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in 2015.

Toyota FT-CH Concept

On Monday at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Toyota introduced a concept which appears to offer a strong hint at where the automaker is heading. Designed and styled in Europe, the FT-CH is 22 inches shorter than the current Prius model, but within a hair breadth of its width. This is important because although the trend is toward smaller vehicles, encroaching on cabin space changes the pictures. With the FT-CH, Toyota can still offer adequate room while reducing overall weight and increasing fuel efficiency.

“Within the next 10 to 20 years, we will not only reach peak oil we will enter a period where demand for all liquid fuels will exceed supply,” said Jim Lentz, TMS president. “A century after the invention of the automobile, we must re-invent it with powertrains that significantly reduce or eliminate the use of conventional petroleum fuels. One of many alternatives is through what is commonly called the electrification of the automobile. By far, the single most successful example of this has been the gas-electric hybrid.”

New Technologies Emerging

Clearly, Toyota has no intention of completing abandoning gas-electric hybrids. Indeed, the FT-CH or something like it will feature a lithium-ion battery pack instead of the current nickel-cadmium battery pack found in today’s Prius, Ford Fusion Hybrid, and other models. The FT-CH might also operate as a pure electric vehicle or Toyota could use the platform for hydrogen technology.

In any case, the FT-CH as the pictures demonstrate, offer some hints at where Toyota is going with its designs. Take note of the dash and the see through seats: these features are not currently found in any Toyota model!