Toyota FT-Se electric coupe rumored to be launched in 2027

This new electric sports car could take inspiration from the FT-Se concept and easily outshine the Supra

The world needs more low-slung sports cars, and Toyota may be gearing up to launch not one but two versions of last year’s FT-Se concept. At least, that’s what the rumors coming out of Japan say.

This is not the first time there has been talk of producing FT-Se. However, as with many rumors circulating in Japan, some details remain vague and often contradictory. Over the years, reports of pure electric models and gasoline-powered models (with various types of engines) have varied, leading us to wonder if Toyota itself has made up its mind.

More: New Toyota MR2 could bring 400 horsepower, all-wheel-drive fun in 2026

Some sources even hint at the concept of two separate mid-engined sports cars. One electric, one gasoline. But let’s be realistic. Developing two nearly identical sports cars with completely different powertrains doesn’t exactly require financial caution, especially in a segment where profit margins are razor-thin and buyers are few. What is a more reasonable situation? Toyota may follow the Dodge Charger’s playbook and offer a sports car with a choice of internal combustion or electric powertrains.

ICE options

Before we talk about electric cars, we’d like to remind you that according to the latest reports, Toyota’s GR division plans to launch an upcoming 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 400 horsepower to all four wheels. If the rumors are true, we could see this model as early as 2026. A mid-engine, all-wheel-drive coupe with this kind of power would certainly keep things interesting.

Electric version coming in 2027?

Then, just a year later in 2027, an all-electric version is expected to follow. According to Best Car, Toyota’s electric sports car will feature next-generation batteries and dual electric motors, one for each axle. The base model is rumored to produce around 400 horsepower (298 kilowatts), while high-performance versions push the envelope with up to 500 horsepower (373 kilowatts).

The electric car’s innovative battery will reportedly use the same technology as the upcoming Lexus LF-ZC, which is expected to showcase Toyota’s latest advances in electric power. The batteries will have a prismatic structure, which is said to reduce weight and significantly improve range. The LF-ZC also has a lower center of gravity because the battery modules are thinner than conventional modules.

Although Toyota already has the GR 86 and Supra in its sports car series, enthusiast One might argue that there is still room for electric products. The most powerful version of the Supra tops out at 382 horsepower, and while a more powerful GRMN version is in development, it’s not expected to come close to 500 horsepower like the EV.

As for the design, there’s no word on how close the production model will look to the FT-Se, but we do suspect many of the concept’s key design features will make their way to the road car. It will also be relatively compact, reportedly 4,380 mm (172.4 inches) long, 1,895 mm (74.6 inches) wide, and 1,220 mm (48 inches) tall, just 1 mm (0.03 inches) longer and 41 mm (1.6 inches) wider than the Supra ), 74 mm (2.9 inches) lower. Pricing is rumored to start around 10 million yen (approximately $67,000).

Sports coupe renaissance or wishful thinking?

Taking a step back, the plethora of reports about a supposed sea of ​​new GR sport coupes (including a production FT-Se in ICE and EV form, a revival of the Celica, and successors to the Supra and GR86) have us skeptical. Are we really witnessing a renaissance in Toyota’s sports cars, or is this just another fantasy concocted by the rumor mill? The industry’s record on sports car promise is patchy at best, and it’s hard to shake the suspicion that this could end up being another exercise in “what could have been.” After all, lofty ambitions are easy to declare. Actually implementing them (and making a solid business case) is another thing entirely.

Additional reporting by John Halas