Toyota
has revealed a second interior styling and exterior colour for an upscale
interpretation of its sensational FT-1 sports car concept. It has been developed
by Calty Design Research in Newport Beach, California. The concept vehicle’s
graphite exterior paint and light, saddle-coloured leather went on display for
the first time at the Gordon McCall’s Motorworks Revival gala held on
California’s Monterey Peninsula.
The
original FT-1 concept was shown to the world when it was debuted in January 2014
at the North American International Auto Show. Labelled the spiritual pace car
for the new direction of Toyota Global Design, the muscular, curved exterior
builds on Toyota’s rich sports coupe heritage dating back to the 2000GT,
Celica, Supra, MR2 and most recently Scion FR-S. That first vehicle came in a
bold red, while this second FT-1 impresses with sophisticated graphite.
In
September 2014, two new versions of the FT-1 will be available for download virtually
inside Gran Turismo 6 (GT6), the latest iteration of the best-selling racing
franchise exclusively on PlayStation3. Like the red FT-1, the graphite FT-1
concept roars onto the Gran Turismo 6 racetrack as a downloadable vehicle for a
limited time. Additionally, in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Gran
Turismo series, Calty has also designed an ultra high-performance race version
of the FT-1 that inside the game is called the FT-1 “Vision GT.”
The
colour of the upscale leather changes between the first and second FT-1
vehicles, and the visual difference is quite striking. The first car was
dominated by bold, masculine black that keeps the driver focused on the road,
while red painted edges and raw metals provide intriguing accents. In the second,
the natural leather on the seat is supple with an all-natural grain, giving it
an authentic appeal. The painted edges that are red in the first concept are
now subtly blended brown in the second. The intention is to bring in a more
sophisticated feel and authenticity through colour choice, showcasing the
versatility of the FT-1 sports car concept. Enthusiasts who desire a more pure
high-performance experience might choose the black-red pairing, while others
may desire the premium, athletic feel of the saddle leather.
Picture of Toyota
FT-1 Sports Car Concept, courtesy Toyota