What's all this about?

Toyota has revealed a new “micromobility concept” car designed purely for urban environments. It’s called the FT-Me, and it follows the FT-Se sports car and the FT-3e hatchback concepts in Toyota’s range of more sustainable design studies. And although there are no confirmed plans to put the tiny two-seater into production, it does showcase some of the tech we might see in future Toyota products.

How small is this thing?

Pretty small. With just two seats and a length of less than 2.5 metres, it isn’t really a car at all – it’s more of a quadricycle, like the Citroen Ami – and in some countries, you don’t even need a full driving licence to get behind the wheel. In fact, even 14-year-olds can legally drive vehicles such as this one.

Is it safe?

While it’s true that quadricycles don’t need to meet the same safety standards as conventional cars, and the FT-Me will never be crash-tested by the independent experts at Euro NCAP, Toyota says there are some safety features. For example, Toyota has fitted the car with what it calls “an innovative 360-degree visibility concept” that maximises visibility and thereby improving both safety and manoeuvrability.

And to make customers feel safer, the car is designed to look a bit like a fighter jet pilot’s helmet, with its two-tone black-and-white design that apparently conveys a sense of safety, while also making the car look rugged and lightweight.

How far will it go on a single charge?

Toyota hasn’t really said too much about the powertrain, but we know it’s a battery-electric small car with an ultra-efficient propulsion system. In fact, Toyota reckons it’s about three times more efficient than a large electric car with a massive battery.

And it shouldn’t need charging very often, because the Japanese engineers have given the car a solar panel roof that charges the main traction battery, adding between 12 and 18 miles of range per day, assuming the weather conditions are right. According to Toyota, that means many users will never need to plug in.

Very clever. What else does it have?

For a kick-off, Toyota has given the FT-Me hand controls, with no pedals whatsoever. That means all the controls can be found on the steering wheel, so wheelchair users can get in the FT-Me and drive with no need for modifications. The cabin is also laced with “advanced connectivity features” that allow integration with smartphones for keyless entry and feature access.

Perhaps more remarkably, though, the FT-Me uses a large proportion of recycled materials in its construction, aiming for a 90 per cent reduction in carbon footprint compared with more conventional city cars.

What does Toyota have to say about it?

“The FT-Me concept embraces Toyota’s ‘Mobility for All’ philosophy, embracing both younger drivers as well as those wanting to downsize in the changing urban landscape,” read a statement from the Japanese manufacturer. “As cities continue to evolve, the FT-Me provides a versatile, sustainable, and stylish solution, and another step towards creating an all-inclusive mobility ecosystem for people, goods, and services.”

Will it ever go on sale?

In current form, probably not. But while Toyota has not confirmed it, there’s a chance an evolution of this vehicle may go into production at some point in the future. And there’s an even better chance that some of the technology on show here will end up in a production car in the next few years.

James Fossdyke - 12 Mar 2025