2010 Paris Auto Show: Toyota FT-CH Compact Hybrid

The Japanese presence at the Paris Auto Show is being spearheaded by Toyota's most exciting hybrid, the FT-CH Compact. Presented for the first time at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), the car has now traveled to Europe to impress the customers here as well.

Since the Prius is some type of guide line for all hybrids out there, we have no way not to compare this new concept with the decade old hybrid. 22 inches shorter than the Prius, the FT-CH is “sized right to be nimble, responsive and maneuverable.”

With this model Toyota tried to bring some fun to the hybrid world. In fact, Toyota says the car has been designed to be fun and innovative, colorful and stylish, with strong appeal to young buyers. Of course, if it will ever be produced, that is.

“Within the next 10 to 20 years, we will not only reach peak oil we will enter a period where demand for all liquid fuels will exceed supply,” Jim Lentz, TMS president motivated the reason behind the project. “A century after the invention of the automobile, we must re-invent it with powertrains that significantly reduce or eliminate the use of conventional petroleum fuels."

Unclear whether the model will actually enter production, it is obvious some of its design lines will be featured on the flood of hybrids Toyota will be sending our way.

By 2020, the carmaker plans to have one hybrid variant for every single model it currently produces. That means that is likely the FT-CH will borrow some of its design cues to future models.