Minimalist Toyota Sports Car Is A Hybrid

Today's FlipBlog Entry - Hybrid Muscle Cars!
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The Toyota FT-HS is a 400-horsepower hybrid sports car with expressive styling that includes areas where outer sheet metal and parts of the seats inside are literally carved away because they’re not needed.

For example, the four separate seats in the FT-HS merely provide the contact points with a passenger’s body. The areas of the seats that don’t need to touch passenger bodies are missing.

The hybrid gas-electric engine includes a 3.5-liter V6 which can provide a projected 0-to-60-miles-an-hour time “in the 4 second range,” said Kevin Hunter, who leads Toyota’s North American Calty Design Center in California.

Purely a design project with no plans for becoming a production car, the FT-HS answers the question, “What is a suitable and appropriate sports car for the 21st century?” he said.

It also explores possible future designs for Toyota. “We don’t want to create design that’s representative of pure American design,” Hunter said. “Toyota is originally a Japanese company. That’s part of our history, part of our culture. We’re trying to express some Japanese attributes … it’s our DNA.”

FT-HS DesignHunter pointed to the taillights on the FT-HS. They’re integrated into the rear deck, rather than added on decoratively. He also noted that front and rear fascias are scooped out to reduce unnecessary mass. The roof has a scooped-out section, too, to reduce aerodynamic drag and still provide good headroom. The car’s overall style is a contrast of hard-edged corners and minimalist function.

Unique features of the FT-HS include a telescoping hub-less steering wheel for steering by wire, a power roof made of carbon fiber Kevlar that moves down and behind the front-seat passengers for open-air driving and headlights made up of clusters of light-emitting diode lights.

“Driver today are not satisfied with cars that are simply fast,” Hunter said. “In addition to driving enjoyment, drivers are concerned about safety, ecology and social responsibility.”

Toyota is the world’s largest seller of gas-electric hybrid vehicles. Jim Lentz, executive vice president at Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc., predicted the company will sell a record 150,000 Prius gas-electric hybrids in the U.S. in calendar 2007.

With a U.S. government fuel economy rating of 60 miles a gallon in city driving and 51 mpg on the highway, the 2007 Prius is the most fuel-efficient car sold in America.

Lentz added that when other Toyota and Lexus hybrid model sales are added in, the automaker’s hybrid sales should top 250,000 this year for the first time.

-The Flipster

The Lowdown On Las Vegas Comedy Clubs, Comedy Shows & Stand Up

Las Vegas is famous for its strip clubs, casinos, buffets and show girls but Las Vegas also well caters for visitors who would like to try their hand at stand up comedy or who are just after a laugh in one of the many Las Vegas comedy clubs and comedy shows. Here's a list of Las Vegas comedy clubs and shows to keep you in stitches on your Las Vegas vacation together with Las Vegas comedy show ticket information: Boomerang's - 6650 Vegas Drive 792/631-4711. Boomerang's is a late night comedy club open every Saturday from 10.30. If you are looking for a cheap night you will be pleased to know Boomerang's has no cover charge. Funniez Comedy Club. This comedy club is open every Friday and Saturday night from 10pm. It is for people aged over 21 years. It's at Buffalo Bill's. Funny Business Comedy Club - Krave Nightclub, at Aladdin 866/273-6029. It hosts both new talent and experienced talent. It has shows every night from 7pm. Laughs at the Beach - The Beach, 365 Convention Center Drive 702/731-1925. This club is open every Saturday from 8pm to 10pm with both local and visiting acts. There is no cover charge. Riviera Comedy Club - Mardi Gras Entertainment Complex at the Riviera, 702/794-9433. This comedy club has more than just the usual stand up comedians. It has shows every night at 8.30 pm and 10pm. The Comedy Stop-Comedy Stop Theatre at the Tropicana, 702/739-2411. This comedy club has three comics that rotate weekly and also love to feature the latest comedians. The age is over 21 and there are two shows every night at 8pm and 10.30pm. The Improv - Harrah's 702/369-5111. This comedy club features three new acts every week. You must be over 18 years of age. It has shows Tuesday through Sunday at 8.30 and 10.30pm. If you fancy yourself as a bit of a yet to be discovered stand up and are looking for an open mic try out Boomers 702/368-1863 which has an open mic night every Sunday from 8pm; Norma Jeane's, 702/768-6666 (evenings) with an open mic night every Thursday from 11pm onwards; and The Dive Bar, 702/579-4707 which has an open mic night every Sunday from 10pm For the latest up to date comedy club information go to http://www.vegas.com/shows/ and http://govegas.about.com/od/comedyshows/ For detailed information about The Las Vegas Comedy Festival go to http://www.lasvegascomedyfestival.com/


-The Flipster

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