For Akio Toyoda, internal combustion engines (ICE) shouldn’t fade away quietly, particularly in the realm of sports cars
Despite Toyota’s increasing focus on electric vehicles (EVs), its chairman, Akio Toyoda, a self-proclaimed “master driver,” remains a strong advocate for the visceral appeal of gasoline-powered performance cars.
Toyoda told Automotive News that for him, a true sports car is defined by the scent of gasoline and the sound of its engine. While acknowledging internal efforts to develop compelling electric sports cars, he is content to let other manufacturers take the lead in that area.
This philosophy appears to be contributing to the delayed development of the Toyota FT-Se, an electric sports concept unveiled in 2023, with a road-going version not expected before 2026 or 2027. Toyoda expresses skepticism about EVs for serious racing, citing battery limitations that make it, in his view, less exciting and more about charging or battery swaps than actual racing.
Toyoda’s perspective carries significant weight due to his extensive experience as a racing driver under the alias “Morizo,” a name associated with performance versions of the GR Corolla and Lexus LBX. His on-track experience directly influences Toyota’s approach to performance vehicles.
While development of the FT-Se continues, with targets of dual electric motors and a next-generation battery for a projected 0-100km/h in around three seconds and a 250km/h top speed, whether it will deliver the driving excitement Toyoda values remains an open question.
Toyoda’s resistance to full electrification is not new, as he has previously stated his belief that EVs will never exceed 30 percent of global sales. Despite Toyota’s expanding EV lineup, particularly in China, the company’s dedication to the enjoyment of internal combustion engines persists. The Supra is expected to continue production, and rumors of revivals for the Celica and MR2 endure, suggesting that for Toyota, the character and sensory experience of performance, often associated with petrol, remain crucial.
