Mygreenwheels

Toyota is evidently out to prove that green cars don't have to be boring with their new technology-loaded concept car due to launch in 2008. They've already invested billions in hybrid technology, so it seems they're about to take on Ferrari and Porsche to tap into the continuing appetite for power and luxury.

I can well understand why. Selling odd-looking, dull cars to people with a conscience doesn't smack of maxmimising returns in the longer term. There's a large class of driver who's never going to be attracted to the current range of hybrids - too bland by miles - so Toyota looks determined to show that you can have a car that's green and mean at the same time.

And this is one mean machine. In their words Toyota's FT-HS (Future Toyota Hybrid Supercar) is designed as 'a suitable sports car for the 21st century' or 'the acceptable face of speed'. Between its electric motor and a 3.5-litre V6 that zap it up to 100km/h in about 4 seconds, it's nudging directly into the Ferrari F430 lane.

According to Toyota most of this car can be put into production, unlike the more adventurous concept cars, so their vision is that the FT-HS could change the future of sports cars for good, as well as the look of Toyota showrooms.

With a possible price tag of £50,000 (should it ever make it into production) you can bet that it will lose some of the more extreme detailing like the 21" carbon wheels and Kevlar roof panel. But, as the man in the Indie put it, this one could still hover above the European supercar crop 'like an Oriental sword of Damocles'.(Sounds a bit like Jeremy Clarkson there, but would he ever utter such words about an eco-friendly vehicle?)

For those of you still turned on by the gadget more than the good, here are a few more tempting morsels from the spec.

The bonnet features a scalloped channel to show off the hybrid engine ...single tail-light unit spans the tail and includes retractable spoiler and LED clusters as headlights...rear showcases carbon-fibre lower diffuser with wide exhaust and carbon-fibre wheels...delta-wing driver's pod carries important functions in a light unit and details are presented almost exclusively to the driver, such as touch-trace sensors acting as tactile guides to controls when travelling at high speed...steering wheel has no hub and carries F1-type paddles for gearshifting.

Could Toyota become the saviour of the supercar as well as the planet? Someone might as well, and at least Toyota's got a head start on everyone else. One thing's for sure though - they've got to give it a name to match its aspirations and a clunky acronym ain't going to do the job.