But you may think FT-CH is a design departure for the Japanese auto maker, that’s because this hybrid car comes out of the Nice, France studio for Toyota.

One of several fancy eco-friendly cars coming your way from the world’s largest hybrid producer, this New Toyota is a small aquatic creature-looking vehicle that strays away from almost anything related to the brand – aside from “hybrid” logo and Toyota seal. FT-CH is still in early production phases, and no word on what the final model will look like, or how it will perform. Though, it being related to the Prius, FT-CH will most likely have a small battery-electric recharging engine based off brake-enhanced lithium-ion power cells.

According to Jalopnik: “The FT-CH is the first piece of Toyota’s “Prius family” marketing strategy, an approach that the Japanese firm claims its customers and dealers have been asking for. It is twenty-two inches shorter than a Prius and less than one inch narrower, and it’s intended to port Toyota’s hybrid philosophy into a fun small car. Production plans have not been announced, but given that Toyota plans to introduce a raft of new hybrids over the next few years, it’s probably safe to say that the FT-CH’s reception will be closely watched.”

Here’s Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama driving around in Toyota’s i-Real personal-mobility device, telling guests “You will come to my school, learn to control your manufacturing costs, and eat fabulous sushi.” (Photo: TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images/Jalopnik)

Toyota, which has held a small stake in Subaru since 2005, was working on the FR, a co-designed 2+2 compact sport vehicle would have had an optimized weight distribution, and was speculated to have as much as 220 horse power from Subaru’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The project was to come to market in 2011 and may cost less than $20,000.

Well, we won’t have a Toyota/Suba Super Car anytime soon – but all is not lost. Both companies have claimed the project is “on hold” – not canceled.

Calty Design Research Inc. out of California, who work directly with the Japanese auto maker, have come up with an adaptable race car concept for 2025. It’s powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and can be charged by photo voltaic body panels that can feed energy in from the side lines. Lemans racers never actually needs to stop.

In High Speed Mode, the body and wheels of Toyota’s Lemans narrow, which reduces drag and resistance to reach an top speed of 350 miles per hour. A cornering Mode stabilizes the vehicle by widening the body and expanding the wheels establishing top grip through tight turns. The driver’s compartment is completely digital, enhanced by virtual reality projection and an on-board computer, which acts as an automated co-pilot system. This AI (hope they won’t name it HAL) can recommend  trajectory and collision avoidance.

Avensis has enough room to fit a small family inside through high school and when the kids finally move out. Yes, we mean it’s big – larger than many of the Toyota sedans on the market today. Overseas, Toyota makes six different engines available for this vehicle, with anything from a 1.6 liter gasoline car giving out 132 horsepower to their diesel options, which have been tuned for up to 177 hp.

The new model will enter European markets in 2009, a price tag for Avensis will probably be announced for both sedan and wagon models closer to launch.

Toyota called the iQ a “J-Factor” product, a term used to describe items designed with Japanese flair and uniqueness for international markets. iQ’s wheels are place on each corner, giving the vechile a wide Superman stance, pumped up by 16″ allow wheels.

Toyota also has a nice catch phrase for their interior “techno-organic”. From the flowing central console to the small though spacious rear seating, the fusion of this concept really comes together inside along with all the small yet easily accessible controls for driver and passenger.

The iQ, expected to hit Japan and Europe streets in 2009, is expected to weigh only 100g/km, combined with high fuel efficiency figures. The iQ will start production late this year, hitting UK showrooms in 2009. Toyota is willing to produce 100,000 vehicles, so expect to see many iQ’s on the road worldwide its first year.