For Japan’s automakers, the biggest event of the year starts in 10 days. That’s when the Japan Mobility Show (known until recently as the Tokyo Motor Show) kicks off. Japan’s auto industry uses the event to show off new models, explain long-term plans, and display concept cars hinting at the next generation of Japanese cars.
For Toyota, the 2023 running of the show is high stakes.
Most of the automotive industry has embraced the electric car. But Toyota has been slow to make the move.
That’s not necessarily a bad business plan. Toyota dominates hybrid sales in the U.S. Recent studies have shown the publicity blitz about electric vehicles (EVs) convinced many Americans to buy a hybrid instead. Hybrids still make more sense in many parts of the country where America’s electricity infrastructure isn’t ready for everyone to own an EV.
Related — Which Is Better To Buy: Fully Electric Car or Hybrid?
But Toyota still needs to show the public (and investors) it’s ready for the day when EV sales start to outpace hybrids.
To do that, the company will unveil a pair of EVs that are, officially, just concept cars meant to show possible future designs. But they look close to production-ready in teaser photos, and each would slot easily into the automaker’s current lineup.
One A Compact Electric SUV
One is a compact SUV that resembles a future RAV4 that emerged from a time machine. Toyota is calling it the FT-3e (Toyota, we need to work on the naming scheme here — no one wants to explain they’re debating between a bZ4X and an FT-3e).
Toyota has revealed only rear angles so far. The look is angular and sharp, with prominent fender flares providing the only curves contrasting with a linear theme. A digital display behind the front fender shows “battery charge, onboard temperature, and interior air quality when the driver approaches the car.”
Apparently, in the FT-3e future, drivers might elect not to enter their cars because of the air quality inside. We’re as confused as you.
The Other An Electric Sport Coupe
The other model is more buzzworthy. Called the FT-Se, it looks like a 2030 GR Supra took the same time machine back to reassure us there are still sport coupes in the future.
Toyota says it’s “one of the options for sports cars in the carbon-neutral era,” as if the company has other all-electric sports cars in the works.
The company offers no performance details about either car but does say the FT-Se uses “newly designed kneepads” to “protect the body from G-forces during driving.”
The company doesn’t promise either will reach production but does say the cars may “ evolve into one-of-a-kind cherished vehicles.”
We expect to have more details to share as the show’s Oct. 26 kickoff approaches.
