TOYOTA TO UNVEIL NEW GRMN HYBRID CONCEPT AT NÜRBURGRING

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) will show the "GRMN (GAZOO Racing1 tuned by MN2) SPORTS HYBRID Concept II", a convertible mid-engined petrol-electric hybrid concept, at the 39th Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race taking place this weekend.

The GRMN SPORTS HYBRID Concept II is an updated version of a petrol-electric sports concept shown at Tokyo Auto Salon in 2010. The vehicle features advanced styling and an improved sports-hybrid AWD system with the main power unit (petrol engine, rear-wheel drive motors and transmission) mid-mounted in conjunction with a front-wheel drive motor. Positioned this way it improves manoeuvrability, increases driving enjoyment and provides enhanced stability.

Toyota launched the world's first mass-produced petrol-electric vehicle, the Prius, in 1997, and has long conducted active 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.

GRMN SPORTS HYBRID Concept II

Engine

Type
Petrol V6

Displacement (cc)
3,456

Maximum output (bhp)
245

System Maximum output (bhp)
295

Body Length (mm)
4,350

Width (mm)
1,890

Height (mm)
1,200

Wheelbase (mm)
2,575

Weight (kg)
1,500 or less

Vehicle layout
Mid-engined with front electric motor

Tyres

Front
225/40R19

Rear
255/35R19

24 Hours Nürburgring Race Outline

Name
39th ADAC Zurich 24h-Race 2011

Dates
June 23-26, 2011 (main competition runs from June 25 and 26)

Venue
Nürburgring (Nürburg, Ahrweiler, State of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany)

1 A vehicle-development and motor-sports support program created by GAZOO, which also operates the GAZOO.com customer-participation portal site launched in 1998, "GAZOO mura" driving events and the "Drive Kingdom" large-scale test-drive events for the general public.

2 Stands for "Meister of Nürburgring", referring to Hiromu Naruse (1944-2010), a TMC test driver and chief of the GAZOO Racing team.

[Source: Autoblog via Toyota]

 

Does this mean Toyota is actually trying to build a "fun" car again?

 

It's a 3,300 lb pseudo-FWD econobox with less power than your average minivan and headlights that had to have been designed specifically to make aerodynamicists cry. That's "fun"?

 

front wheels are powered by the electric motor while the rear wheels are powered by the petrol engine

 

But look! It's a convertible! And it only had TWO seats!!

 

This car is ugly, they need to bring back the Supra.

 

Hence the "pseudo" part. I'll bet my bottom dollar it's FWD-biased.