Frankfurt marks the world debut of Toyota’s latest concept – the Yaris Hybrid-R.
Powered by a 1.6-litre GRE (Global Race Engine) developed by Toyota Motorsport, the Hybrid-R’s powertrain uses technology that first appeared on the 830bhp TS030 Hybrid Le Mans race car.
But unlike the TS030, the Hybrid-R delivers its power to the road via all four wheels – two powerful electric motors provide the Yaris with intelligent all-wheel drive capability.
Like the TS030, it uses energy recovered under braking which is then stored in a super capacitor. Toyota say their technology is particularly suitable for use in a road-going sports car thanks to its high power density and quick charge and discharge speeds.
Toyota’s Hybrid-R is the flagship of its Frankfurt Motor Show display which is devoted to hybrid technology. In the 16 years since the Prius first went on sale in Japan the company has sold 5.5 million hybrid vehicles, making it the largest producer of hybrids by a factor of four times.
The company currently produces 23 different models, and by the end of 2015 will have introduced a further 16 new or revised hybrid models.
Toyota refuse to confirm if the Hybrid-R will ever be sold, however it clearly points towards a performance hybrid in their range at some point in the future.
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