(March 6, 2012) Toyota’s new FT-Bh concept is a vehicle designed to take the efficiency of full hybrid vehicles to new heights. Making its debut at the Geneva motor show, it is an ultra-light concept, weighing less than 1,800 pounds, which demonstrates what can be achieved in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in an affordable family supermini.

Thanks to its low weight, exceptional aerodynamic quality, very low driving resistance and its highly efficient powertrain, FT-Bh can achieve an average 134.5mpg fuel consumption.



Those figures are from a vehicle that is close in size to today’s Yaris, at 155 inches long with a 100-inch wheelbase. The emissions are about half the level of those produced by a 1.0-liter Yaris.

In their mission to achieve the best possible fuel economy and emissions, the design team focused on five key areas — reducing weight; driving resistance (including aerodynamic and tire performance); powertrain efficiency; thermal energy management; and electricity savings.

“Ecomotion” was the theme for styling FT-Bh, with its shape demonstrating a new approach to bodywork design. Key panels, such as the roof, are formed to represent the way fabric can be stretched taut between fastening points, to reflect their ultra-light weight.

The front end of the car broadcastsToyota’s current design language with its large lower grille, together with a sculpted bonnet and headlamps that are integrated into the front wings. Ultra-slim A and C-pillars maximize the glazed area for better visibility and a greater sense of space in the cabin.

The way in which the cabin merges seamlessly into the rear of the vehicle, with an uplifted rear bumper and chevron-shaped corner elements, helps achieve the best possible aerodynamic performance and deliver a drag coefficient of just 0.235.

The stretched fabric-look carries through to the minimalist interior, with a concave centre console creating a driver-focused cockpit, while maintaining the overall feeling of light and space.

FT-Bh’s full hybrid drive system is a masterpiece of powertrain downsizing. With substantial weight savings in every driveline component, it is almost 198 pounds lighter than theHybrid Synergy Drive system used in today’s Prius.

The lightweight, two-cylinder, 1.0-liter Atkinson cycle gas engine combines high efficiency with low thermal capacity and benefits with detailed measures to increase combustion efficiency and reduce friction.