Toyota FT-EV II Concept electrified

Toyota FT-EV II Concept Toyota shrinks its electrified iQ concept in the wash. OCTOBER 2009 BY CHRISTOPHER CHAMPION MULTIPLE PHOTOGRAPHERS 0 shares Advertisement - Continue Below Toyota’s FT-EV II concept will bow next week at the Tokyo auto show. Like its Toyota iQ–based predecessor, the FT-EV, the concept is designed as a short-trip electric vehicle for urban environs. The main difference this time around is that the concept is now smaller than the diminutive iQ—length is down a not-insignificant 10 inches, to just 107.5—while still retaining seats for four people. Drive-by-wire technology allows Toyota to remove the throttle and brake pedals and allocate those functions to a joystick, opening up more legroom. The greenhouse is enlarged by way of an “auxiliary window” that sits below the windshield and increases forward visibility. Electric sliding doors that conjure up images of the existing Peugeot 1007 help entry and exit in tight spots. While the overall shape is similar to that of the iQ, the increased glass area and smoother body panels do give this second FT-EV a decidedly concept-y look. Toyota estimates a top speed of about 62 mph and a range of over 56 miles on a fully charged battery, just like before. You’ll excuse us if we’re more excited about the rear-wheel-drive FT-86 conceptthat will share the Toyota spotlight in Tokyo.