Toyota Mulls Hybrid Sports Car

Toyota Motor Corporation plans to extend its hybrid lineup with the addition of its first hybrid sports car. The new offering may be modeled after Toyota's FT-HS concept vehicle, a hybrid four-seater. The FT-HS is expected to produce 400 horsepower from its 3.5 liter V-6 engine. Its price is estimated to be in the mid $30,000s.

Toyota's FT-HS hybrid concept may provide insight into what to expect from its hybrid sports car. Credit: autodeadline.com

"We've got compacts and premiums and everything in between," said Akio Toyoda, grandson of Toyota Motor Corporation's founder. "We believe a sports car is also necessary."

Toyota may focus its hybrid sports car efforts on two tiers: a higher-end sports car in its Lexus line and a sportier version for the mass market. The hybrid sports car would utilize lithium ion batteries once they become available.

"We want to make a hybrid sports car reality," said Toyota's Kazuo Okamoto.