Toyota's answer to the Tesla Roadster and MG Cyberster? 2027 Toyota FT-Se revealed in new renders ahead 370kW electric sports car's release: Report

Will Toyota put a Tesla Roadster challenging electric sports car into production?

Fresh reports from Japan’s Best Car suggest the FT-Se concept previewed at the 2023 Tokyo Mobility Show will reach production form by 2027 using next-gen battery tech shared with the Lexus LF-ZC. 

The FT-Se will be a twin-motor AWD electric sports car developing up to 370kW, if the reports are to be believed. 

It’s understood the vehicle will sit on an entirely new architecture to accommodate Toyota’s ‘square cell’ battery technology that will debut in the production version of Lexus’ LF-ZC concept. 

This won’t be solid state battery technology, rather a new formulation of current liquid electrolyte chemistry promising greater energy density and higher power potential. 

Full details are yet to be confirmed but Toyota previously promised its next-gen ‘performance’ batteries will offer up to 800km driving range, a fast-charge time of 20 minutes and a 20 per cent cost reduction compared to the current bZ4X’s tech.

The name follows a well-trodden Toyota formula, with previous ‘FT’ concepts such as the FT-86 and FT-1 making it into production as the 86 and Supra, respectively. 

Size-wise, the FT-Se concept measures 4380mm long, 1895mm wide and a scant 1220mm high so it is a truly compact model in today’s terms. Think of it as a rival for the MG Cyberster and other future electric sports cars, such as Porsche's next-gen 718 and Lotus’ expected sporty EV. 

It isn’t to be confused with the MR2 revival that’s also, reportedly, in development. Instead, the FT-Se will be an all-new model line for Toyota, given its ground-breaking electric nature. 

Toyota is looking to continue its sports car renaissance outside the EV sphere with new generation turbo-petrol engines to power a new Celica, GR Starlet kei-car-sized ‘S-FR’ as well as refreshes for 86 and Supra.