Concept Cars Home
 

Image credits: © Toyota.

2005 Toyota FT-SX Concept news, pictures, and information

January 10, 2005 - Detroit, MI - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), Ú.S.A., Inc., unveiled the FT-SX concept at a press conference today at the 2005 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

'The FT-SX concept was developed to explore a totally new genre to help create a bolder, more decisive image for Toyota,' said Don Esmond, senior vice president and general manager, Toyota Division. 'It is a concept aimed at young families lòòking beyond the traditional passenger car or SÚV and boomers seeking a stylish and refined reward vehicle.'
The FT-SX concept was developed by Calty, Toyota's North American-based, research and design center located in Newport Beach, CA and the TMS Advanced Product Strategy Group. The team was assigned the task of creating a vehicle combining the ride comfort, handling, and fuel efficiency of a sedan wîth the utility, spaciousness and visibility of a car-based SÚV.

'With the FT-SX, we studied the finest attributes of Toyota's successful passenger cars and SÚV's and took it to the next level,' said Kevin Hunter, vice president, design and studio activities at Calty Design Research, Inc. 'We began wîth a totally new silhouette and package, lower and wider than an SÚV, but taller, more comfortable, and more versatile than a sedan. (concept carz) Add a powerful V6, all-wheel drive, 21-inch wheels, four doors, a large, multi-function glass roof and an innovative rear hatch and you have a vehicle wîth exceptional functionality.'

The exterior design concept of the FT-SX was the creation of 30-year-old Calty designer, Ian Cartabiano, who also designed the all-new 2005 Toyota Avalon. When undertaking the FT-SX project, Cartabiano envisioned a powerful design that would create excitement for both young families and empty-nest boomers, wîth a fresh styling identity for the Toyota brand.

The exterior theme of the FT-SX is bold, simple and powerful. At more than 15 feet in length, over six feet in width and over 5 feet in height, the FT-SX delivers a stance that is both sleek and imposing.

The face of the FT-SX is an all-new expression for Toyota. Defined by the alignment of the headlamps, Toyota badging, and grille, the new 'T-Face' establishes a memorable design theme for Toyota's future. The headlamps connect seamlessly wîth a bold new grille. Deep hood sculpting is achieved wîth unbroken lines elegantly sweeping down from the upper edge of the A-pillar, through the grille, and down the bumper, wrapping back around the front wheels, giving the FT-SX a wide, dynamic image presence.

The profile of the FT-SX is long and sleek. A dramatic, arching roofline conveys versatility, while a fast angle, 'coupe inspired' greenhouse and D-pillar suggest sporty performance. Clean and unadorned, the strength of the modern profile flows from center to rear, tying in wide, sculpted wheel well flares. Strong rocker character lines wrap around the entire car, providing a look of stability. The beltline's unbroken, razor sharp edge carries back to the exhaust.

In the rear, the tail lamps sweep around the beltline to emphasize a wide, stable stance. The FT-SX features a clean and taut surface accented by a full width exhaust in the lower bumper. A smoothly integrated rear wing extends from the belt line continuing the body side motion past the rear glass.

The innovative rear hatch offers three opening options. The upper glass hatch pivots up; the lower hatch pivots down; and the glass roof has two panels which slide towards the center, not only creating a useful loading opening, but also doubling as a rear sunroof. The door handles are subtly integrated into the beltline and open the clamshell doors at the touch of a button. Deep, acrylic lamps house new LED technology to provide a 'surface-through' image. Two-piece detailed 21-inch wheels provide a counterpoint to the clean body thémé.

The inviting interior was created by Calty designer Alberto Palma and exudes luxury, comfort, utility, and practicality. The fresh look is achieved wîth natural woods, soft leathers, and durable metals. The interior features a new sense of space defined by a '60/60' feeling for the driver and front passenger. This is achieved by overlapping seat elements that create individual space giving each the impression his space is dominant. A 'flying speedboard' gauge cluster surrounds the driver wîth a sleek, sporty design that (like the exterior) seamlessly flows into the door and around the interior. The armrests are integrated into the seats, eliminating clutter and creating a living-room effect.

The rear cargo area is designed to fit every need, displaying a high level of quality and refinement. A loading tray automatically extends when the lower hatch is opened to assist in loading large and heavy objects.

'The FT-SX is the emotional and powerful result of our exercise in defining a new genre and potential product direction for Toyota,' said Hunter. 'Its surprising utility, powerful design, innovative features, and luxurious comfort create the passion necessary to fulfill the requirements of its buyers in a fresh new way. In short, the FT-SX is a vehicle that delivers the best of both worlds.'

Source - Toyota
OFFICIAL DATES ANNOUNCED FOR NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW 2014
 Mark your calendars: Jan. 13-26, 2014 Detroit, Mich., April 11, 2013 - The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) today announced official dates for the 2014 event, which will be held at Cobo Center in Detroit, January 13-26, 2014. NAIAS 2014 will be presented as follows: • Press Preview - Monday and Tuesday, January 13-14, 2014
• Industry Preview ­- Wednesday and Thursday, January 15-16, 2014
• Charity Preview - Friday evening, January 17, 2014
[L...[Read more...]
BMW at the NAIAS Detroit 2013
Captivating looks laced with premium quality and groundbreaking innovations are the standout features of the models charged with continuing the success of the BMW brand into the future. The NAIAS 2013 in Detroit will see BMW presenting visitors with new models now entering series production and pioneering vehicle concepts combining technological progress, innovative forms and exemplary sustainability in a single package. BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe: more elegant, more dynamic, more individ...[Read more...]
Bentley Motors' North American Debuts
•New Continental GT Speed makes N. American debut •EXP 9 F luxury SUV displayed on Concept lawn •Highly prized classic and vintage Bentleys to be auctioned As California's Monterey Peninsula is primed for a week of displays and events involving some of the world's most coveted, historic automobiles, Bentley Motors prepares to share a glimpse into the future with the North American debut of two new models – the Continental GT Speed and the EXP 9 F luxury SUV concept. 'Pebble Beach and ...[Read more...]
Chevy Performance Rolls with Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour
Weeklong drive kicks off with unprecedented access to GM's Milford Proving Ground Road trip! It's that time of year again for the annual automotive pilgrimage known as the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour® and Chevrolet Performance helps get it started on Saturday, June 2, at General Motors' Milford Proving Ground. The Power Tour winds up in Arlington, Texas, on June 9. With more than 3,000 hot rods, muscle cars, classic trucks and late-model performance vehicles and approximately 12,00...[Read more...]

Arrow Right 2005 Toyota models
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota Avalon
Toyota Avensis 2.2 D
Toyota Aygo
Toyota Camry
Toyota Celica
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Corolla XRS
Toyota Echo
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Isis
Toyota Matrix
Toyota MR2
Toyota Prius
Toyota RAV4
Toyota Sequoia
Toyota Sienna
Toyota Solara
Toyota Tacoma
Toyota Tacoma X-Runner
Toyota TF105
Toyota Tundra
2005 Toyota Concepts
Toyota i-Unit Concept

Similar Vehicles
Toyota Venza2009 Toyota Venza

Similar Automakers
HondaJaguar
NissanSaab
SubaruVolkswagen
Volvo
 
Toyota: 2001-2010
Similar Automakers
Toyota History
Other models by Toyota
Manufacturer Website

Related Articles and Event Coverage
2005 Chicago Il
2005 Cleveland OH
2005 Detroit Mi
2005 New York City, NY

Toyota
Monthly Sales FiguresVolume
April 2013158,069 
March 2013182,152 
February 2013149,038 
January 2013141,514 
December 2012163,536 
November 2012138,976 
October 2012135,392 
September 2012151,524 
August 2012164,283 
July 2012146,663 
June 2012157,773 
May 2012181,510 
(More Details)

 
2000 GT
4Runner
Avalon
Camry
Celica
Coaster
Corolla
Corona
FJ Cruiser
GT-One
GT86
Highlander
Land Cruiser
Land Cruiser 40 Series
Land Cruiser 70
Matrix
MR2
Prius
RAV4
Sequoia
Sienna
Starlet
Supra
Tacoma
Tundra
Venza
Yaris

© 1998-2012. All rights reserved. The material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.