2001 Toyota FXS Concept - Now On Canada's Auto Show Circuit
Is the FXS concept, which stands for Future Experimental Sports, a glimpse into Toyota's future? While the thought of such a daring sports car being added to Toyota's conservative lineup would be welcomed by many import enthusiasts, especially to fans of the Japanese brand's once popular Supra model, this particular concept most likely will remain a styling exercise.
Still, the fact that the two-year old roadster which was initially unveiled at the 2001 Tokyo auto show is being dusted off to be displayed, first at the opening of the innovative "Re-Design" exhibit at the Design Exchange in Toronto and then later at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto on February 14 to 23, is interesting.
According to Shigeaki Sugawara, TMC project general manager, Tokyo Design Division, Sugawara Studio, the FXS sports car is conceived to be a sport purist's car. "There is DNA from the '67 Toyota 2000GT, but the FXS has an individual style - an original design that's simple and sexy," he commented. "The package pushes the four wheels to the corners of the car and the center of gravity is as low as possible for very good stability."
Now that rivals Nissan and Mazda have introduced updated versions of their legendary Z and RX models respectively, and the fact that it's more than just a rumor that Japan's number one automaker is bringing back the Supra to compete, or at least something along a similar sports-oriented vein, a closer look at the FXS deserves attention.