What is it?
Toyota FT-CH Concept
What's special about it?
Think of the Toyota FT-CH as Prius Junior. No, it doesn't look much like the Prius, but it may very well carry the Prius name when it eventually goes into production. It's all part of a Toyota marketing strategy designed to capitalize on the fact that "Prius" and "hybrid" have become almost synonymous in the public's mind.
The idea is to make a "Prius family," says Toyota. "The strategy is still taking shape and obviously it will require additional models to qualify as a family," said Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. "Among others, the FT-CH is a concept that we are considering.
So yes, Toyota is still "considering" the FT-CH, but it's also been considering the Lexus LF-Ch concept, too. It's also a hybrid hatchback, so it's probably safe to say that neither car is a one-off fantasy concept.
Measuring 153 inches long, the Toyota FT-CH is almost 2 feet shorter than the Prius, yet only an inch narrower. It's essentially the size of a four-door Yaris hatchback, but with a sleeker shape.
Toyota says the shape was inspired by the "8-bit generation" of the early '80s. Toyota also notes that the car was drawn up in its European design studio in France. Take from that what you will, but other than the odd greenish tint, the FT-CH looks like a pretty standard compact hatchback.
Said to be lighter and more fuel-efficient than the Prius, the FT-CH would also come in at a lower price point. Given that the Yaris four-door stars at $13K and the Prius starts at just over $22K, the production FT-CH would most likely fall in the $15-18K range.
And how soon should you expect to see such a vehicle? Well, Toyota says it will launch eight new hybrid models over the next three years, not including new versions of its current hybrid models. With that kind of plan in mind, the FT-CH is probably closer to production than it appears.
Inside Line says: Can you blame Toyota for wanting to create more Priuses? Expect jubilation, and some confusion, when the Prius family starts to grow. — Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor
Add A Comment »
johnferinal says:
04:02 AM, 03/07/2011
It is cute!
pmtguy says:
11:18 PM, 01/15/2010
i thought the Nissan leaf was fugly this thing takes the cake I would rather drive a Pontiac Aztec
Fiifi says:
09:25 AM, 01/14/2010
You guys are so funny!
"I doubt its mother even loves that face!" Geez! This one cracked me up the most, lol!
kdhspyder says:
02:26 PM, 01/13/2010
This is the first of 8. Yes it's a Prius Jr ( not a bad name 'Junior' ) with the size, weight and room of a Yaris, Fiesta, Fit or Insight II. But being lighter and smaller...it will likely outdo even the iconic Prius in fuel economy.
Then there's the pricing. How dya think Mazda and Ford and Honda and soon GM will want to compete against 'Junior' getting better-than-50 MPG at a price lower than $20K? I don't think they're too happy at that prospect after Monday.
40 MPG Fiesta?
40 MPG Cruze XFE?
43 MPG Insight II?
whoopee,
sh00gahman says:
02:56 PM, 01/12/2010
Awesome job, Toyota. I'd definitely love to drive this one.... off a cliff.
cino_iconic says:
05:34 PM, 01/11/2010
It's a clean look concept. The only problem is the headlight. I know they won't make that st***d headlights to production. I think Toyota start to use European Design Center's design. Though, it looks beautiful from the side view( forget the headlights.).
firstclass says:
02:31 PM, 01/11/2010
Last I checked long hoods are still sexy in the old world too. Just look at a Ferrari or an Aston Martin. Upward trunks were a Japanese theme that hasn't gone out of style for reasons beyond my understanding, but I doubt Americans find it attractive.
uncanny_man says:
01:49 PM, 01/11/2010
shaohsiin: Did you somehow not notice the huge headlights mounted over the hood, random zits where fog lights normally are, or that mud-sucking maw? I don't think that it's the lack of a trunk that makes it fugly!
shaohsiin says:
12:42 PM, 01/11/2010
Every car doesn't have a long hood and a big upward trunk line is considered ugly in N.A.
People in this part of Earth is still live in the 60s.
uncanny_man says:
10:21 AM, 01/11/2010
I doubt its mother even loves that face!