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Toyota will show the MR2-based “GRMN SPORTS HYBRID Concept II”, a convertible mid-engined petrol-electric hybrid concept car, at the 39th Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race taking place this weekend.
The GRMN (GAZOO Racing tuned by MN) SPORTS HYBRID Concept II is an updated version of a petrol-electric sports concept shown at Tokyo Auto Salon in 2010. GAZOO Racing is the team behind the Lexus LF-A supercar.
The vehicle features a sports-hybrid AWD system with the main power unit (3.5-litre petrol V6 engine developing 245 bhp, rear-wheel drive motors and transmission) mid-mounted in conjunction with a front-wheel drive motor.
Toyota launched the world’s first mass-produced petrol-electric vehicle, the Prius, in 1997, and has conducted research on applying hybrid technologies to racing and sports cars. The GRMN SPORTS HYBRID Concept II is the next step in the evolution of these efforts.
If it ever makes it into production, hopefully Toyota will come up with a snappier name for the car.
