Monday, January 12, 2009

Unveiling the FT-EV


Toyota Motor to launch Electric Car ‘FT-EV’ in United States by 2012
Submitted by Amandeep Dhaliwal on Sun, 01/11/2009 - 21:37
Japan's largest automaker, Toyota Motor on Saturday revealed its plans to launch an electric car in the United States by 2012 and boost its gas-electric hybrid offerings to as many as ten models in the early years of the next decade.
The company will show the prototype of its electric car, the FT-EV, a concept car that previews a new battery-electric "urban commuter" vehicle at the Detroit auto show which opens Sunday with press previews.
In addition, Toyota is also set to unveil its 2010 Prius hybrid and a Lexus hybrid called the HS250h at the same show. The show opens to the public Jan. 17-25.
The two-seater hatchback shares its platform with Toyota's tiny iQ, a gasoline-powered four-seater which was recently launched in Japan.
Sources revealed that FT-EV has a cruising range of 80km and a targeted top speed of 112km/h. The sedan takes between 2.5 and 7.5 hours to recharge the FT-EV, depending on the voltage of the power supply.
FT-EV is expected to wear an affordable price tag of about US$20,000.
A market analyst reacting to announcement said, the latest move was taken by Toyota, in aims to hold a lead in superior vehicles over General Motors Corp. and smaller start-ups.

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