Toyota has been known to make some fairly exciting cars over the years, but its hybrids, well… they are there for a cartain type of market. The Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R, on the other hand, now that’s more my kind of car. And at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week, the Japanese industrial giant will bridge the gap with the concept car you see here. Previewed in bits and pieces along the way, Toyota has now revealed the full details and array of photos of its new Yaris Hybrid-R concept. The pictures show the cheeky little Yaris Hybrid-R on the track. It looks great.
It is based on the three-door Yaris, there’d be no mistaking this for any ordinary eco-hatch. 18-inch TRD alloys with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires pack the wheel wells and a wider grille dominates the front of the car, while black and blue trim contrast sharply with the white bodywork. The Yaris has LED daytime running lights illuminate the way and oversized brakes keep it all under control. The interior boasts Recaro racing buckets in black leather and blue Alcantara. Overall the setup looks amazing. I cant wait to see how the Yaris Hybrid-R pans out.
How is it powered?
Toyota have confirmed it will be powered TMG’s Global Racing Engine: a 1.6-liter inline-four with direct injection and a turbocharger to drive 300bhp to the front wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox. In a car any small that will be plenty. But no… a pair of electric motors provide an extra 60bhp to each of the rear wheels for a combined output of 420bhp and through the road all-wheel drive. A third 60bhp electric motor serves as traction control under acceleration and acts as a generator under braking to feed the TS030-derived super capacitor that boasts a higher power density and faster charge/discharge speed than a traditional battery. The system can provide a 40bhp boost for ten seconds in Road mode, or the full 120hp for five seconds in Track mode.
No one know’s if this hybrid will ever be made, but if it does, I want to be on that test drive list.
This would be a rocket!