The Toyota FT-Bh is another hybrid concept from the Japanese car manufacturer that’s being presented in Geneva these days (the other one being the 2012 Toyota Yaris). This car comes with a rather odd design, but apparently it’s all for the aerodynamic efficiency.
According to Toyota, the technology needed to build such a concept is already available, and at a reasonable price. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that such a car will go into production anytime soon.
The FT-Bh is powered by two engines: a 1.0-liter 2 cylinder gasoline one combined with a compact electric motor. The whole ensemble weighs 90 kg less than the Hybrid Synergy Drive that’s fitted on the current Prius. Thanks to a total mass of only 786 kg, the CO2 emissions come as low as 19 g/km (with the plug-in version) and fuel consumption lower than 2.1l/100 km (about 112 mpg).
The exterior design, as said, doesn’t have the purpose of making this car a beauty (although its eccentricity does have something intriguing about it), but an aerodynamic monster. The aerodynamic coefficient is only 0,235, in spite of this car’s minivan look. Exterior and interior lighting are done by LEDs.
Although it is unlikely that this concept will ever go into production, single elements will be used in future Toyotas, according to the Japanese engineers.
