Toyota gives up more information on Frankfurt-bound Yaris Hybrid-R concept

Mon, 19 Aug 2013

Toyota has undeniably carved out a niche for itself as the industry's leader in hybrid propulsion. What started out with the original Prius in 1997 has, over the past sixteen years, ballooned to what Toyota reports as a global hybrid portfolio of 23 models. But few (if any of them) are particularly exciting.

That's where the Yaris Hybrid-R concept comes in. Set to be showcased along with the rest of Toyota's hybrid and fuel-cell lineup at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show next month, the concept starts with one of the Japanese auto giant's least exciting models and upgrades it to more enticing territory. Toyota Motorsport GmbH – the same Cologne, Germany-based division that operated the company's F1 team, currently runs its Le Mans program and gave us that bonkers 650-horsepower Lexus LS – has slotted in a version of Toyota's new 1.6-liter Global Race Engine and paired it with a couple of electric motors for hybrid propulsion and through-the-road all-wheel drive.

Like the TS030 Hybrid LMP1, the Yaris Hybrid-R concept uses a super capacitor (instead of a conventional battery) to store the regenerated brake energy and give it upwards of 400 horsepower. That's about all Toyota is revealing at this point, but this is the first time it has confirmed the project is based on a Yaris, of all things, and the confirmation comes with the solitary teaser rendering you see above. Check out the press release after the jump and watch this space for more as Frankfurt fast approaches.

EXCLUSIVELY HYBRID: TOYOTA MARKS 16 YEARS OF TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP AT FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW

KEY POINTS
- Toyota devotes its Frankfurt motor show presentation to hybrid technology
- World premiere of the Yaris Hybrid-R concept
- Latest development of Toyota hydrogen fuel cell technology
- 16 years and more than 5.5 million worldwide sales of Toyota hybrids

Toyota will bring together its past achievements and future plans for hybrid power in a Frankfurt motor show presentation devoted entirely to its industry-leading technology. Since it introduced the original Prius saloon in Japan in 1997, Toyota has sold more than 5.5 million hybrid vehicles world wide and continues to extend its portfolio, currently offering 23 models worldwide.

Yaris Hybrid-R concept

Frankfurt will mark the world debut of the new Yaris Hybrid-R concept, created as a showcase for possible future hybrid development ideas that can deliver greater performance and driver rewards.

Based on the three-door Yaris, Hybrid-R features a 1.6-litre GRE (Global Race Engine) developed by Toyota Motorsport, combined with two powerful electric motors that give the car intelligent all-wheel drive capability. Using technology like that featured in Toyota's TS030 Hybrid race car, energy recovered under braking is stored in a super capacitor, a unit that's particularly suitable for use in a sports car thanks to its high power density and quick charge and discharge speeds.

The result is a highly focused machine, designed to deliver the maximum driving pleasure, both on road and track.

Fuel cell technology: next steps towards the ultimate zero-emission car

Toyota will show the latest status of its Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle (FCHV) technology at Frankfurt, ahead of the market launch of a production car by 2015. Toyota considers the energy and emissions benefits make this the best technology yet to deliver the ultimate zero-emission car, with hydrogen as an ideal, ultra-clean energy source.

16 years of Toyota hybrid technology

Toyota has been researching and developing environmentally efficient transport solutions for more than 40 years, building world leadership in the design and production of full hybrid powertrain technology.

It made the science a marketplace reality in 1997, when the first Prius went on sale in Japan. Since then, Toyota Motor Corporation has amassed sales of more than 5.5 million hybrids and today has a portfolio 23 different models – four times more than any other competitor – available in 80 countries and regions around the world.

Toyota calculates that its global hybrid fleet has already saved 12 billion litres of fuel and 34 million tonnes of CO2emissions, compared to the same number of equivalent, conventionally powered vehicles.

The story does not end here: by the end of 2015 Toyota will have introduced a further 16 new or revised hybrid models.

Toyota will host a press conference on its stand in Hall 8 at the Frankfurt motor show, at 12.45pm on Tuesday, 10 September.

By Noah Joseph