Toyota FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept � Detroit preview for +400Hp Hybrid Supra

I know you want to go straight to point so we�ll cut the crap. This is a 2+2 rear-wheel drive sports car with a partially retractable roof powered by a 400-horsepower hybrid powertrain that consists of a 3.5 V6 petrol engine and an electric motor �most probably based on Lexus GS450h powertrain. And yes the FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept could very well base the next gen Supra.

Don�t believe us? Listen to what Kevin Hunter, vice president of Toyota�s Calty Design Research had to say about it: "We feel there's a hole in our lineup. Toyota hasn't had a sports car since the Supra was dropped in 1997. We need some emotional punch in our lineup, a halo product." Hunter added that "It's a new kind of sports car for the 21st century. Eco and emotion in a sports car concept with a performance target of 0-60 mph in about 4 seconds and a price tag in the mid-$30,000 range."

So what do we think about a product version? In Europe, however good the Supra is, I highly doubt that it will convince consumers even if it�s priced much lower than a Porsche Cayman, but I think that it can serve Toyota as a �halo car�.

The US though is a different story. Even if some will be hasty to consider a V6 powered sports car not being up to standards, we remind you among others, that the highly respected Porsche 911 / 911 Turbo and the Nissan Skyline GT-R both carry 6cylinder motors. But the magic word here is �hybrid powerplant� which will translate to many as �I own an eco-friendly supercar�. In my opinion, even if that�s not 100% true, showing that you�re �politically correct� is reason enough for plenty of people to buy the car. Pics via: Jalopnik

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