Toyota unveils FT-EV II electric vehicle concept

The FT-EV II, which stand for Future Toyota-Electric Vehicle 2, is meant to be a car for daily use, but capable of low highway speeds. The design is based on the first FT-EV that was first shown at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year.

The FT-EV II is powered by lithium-ion batteries which can give a range of 90km on a single charge. Top speed is quoted at 100km/h, but Toyota has not yet revealed other details such as recharge time and the size of the motor, as well as the FT-EV II’s weight.

Toyota has given the FT-EV II’s interior a "retro-futuristic" look, with foot pedals and steering wheel being the notable absentees in the cabin. The car is controlled by two control levers, but the FT-EV II can also run on auto-pilot.

The auto-pilot features go beyond navigation, and can also automatically download audio or visual content specifically geared towards the individuals in the car. Once plugged in at home, the vehicle can upload its content to a central computer.

Compared to the earlier FT-EV, the FT-EV II has more headroom, and more cabin space in the rear. The nose has also been shortened, with a flatter and less angled windscreen. The front bumper has also been redesigned, but no pictures of the rear were made available.