This one-off dreamlike apparatus is known as the 1987 Toyota GTV (Gas Turbine Vehicle) concept car, which initially, was developed as a proof of concept vehicle that was intended for small scale production, however, this of course never came to be. The compelling GTV concept was built using the platform of a RWD A70 Toyota Supra, and was certainly a remarkable piece of engineering. It’s no surprise that the most noteworthy feature on the GTV concept was the high-performance two-shaft gas turbine engine setup, which consisted of de-coupled gas turbine layout having a one-stage turbine driving the compressor while another was connected to the drive shaft. The GTV utilized two-stage heat exchanger which was designed to help reduce the exhaust gas temperatures, and was also equipped with a electronically controlled CVT 4-speed automatic transmission, a gearbox that went on to become the basis of almost all Toyota automatic transmissions, including the Toyota Prius. On top of that, the GTV featured a 4-wheel double-wishbone air suspension, anti-lock brakes, and a number of other advanced components and aerodynamic design features that allowed this machine to impress enthusiasts all around. The GTV was designed to be a ‘Personal Gran Turismo’, and inside the cockpit you’ll find lush seats and surfaces surrounded by functional elements such as a 6-inch color CRT display system which gives view to the charge-coupled device camera which is located in the rear tail lamps, as well as provides insight to a number of other vital and relevant diagnostics and data. Perhaps one of the most interesting touches is the interior lighting, which unlike a traditional car, is a EL (Electro-Luminescent) roof panel, which gives off a soft light around the cabin, and brings the entire futuristic feel of the concept together perfectly.
How many made? 1
Engine: Gas Turbine II 65,000-68,000rpm - 148hp
Debut: 1987 Tokyo Motor Show
Top Speed: approximately 124mph
0-60mph: n/a
Photo Credit: @night._.walker
Research: @rarecarsonly