Frankfurt show: Toyota turns up the Yaris

TOYOTA has shoehorned race-proven hybrid technology under the bonnet of its latest performance concept car – based on a tiny Yaris city runabout.

The Hybrid-R concept, slated for its world debut at next month’s Frankfurt motor show, is a petrol-electric performance car based on the Yaris three-door hatch.

It was created “as a clear showcase of possible ideas for the development of hybrid technology for maximum performance and increased driving pleasure,” Toyota said.

Few technical details are available, but the Hybrid-R's powertrain combines a 1.6-litre petrol 'Global Race Engine' developed by Toyota Motorsport – the same part of the global Japanese car-making giant that built the TS080 Hybrid race car that finished second at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans – with two electric motors to provide four-wheel drive capability.

The Toyota Hybrid System-Racing (THS-R) technology developed for the race car uses a super capacitor to store electricity generated from braking energy.

While official performance figures are likely to be released closer to its debut at Frankfurt in September, Toyota previously revealed the Hybrid-R had a combined maximum power output of more than 300kW, putting it in Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG territory.

The Yaris Hybrid-R also features different modes to tune performance for either the racetrack or the road.

It is not yet known whether the Yaris Hybrid-R concept will make it to production, but Toyota has confirmed technology from the hot hatch could find its way into future models.

Toyota’s illustration shows huge air inlets on the chunky front bumper, massive sports wheels and redesigned headlights, while the side skirts and bumper feature blue highlights reminiscent of badging on existing hybrid models.

Meanwhile, Toyota will dedicate its entire stand at the Frankfurt motor show next month to its line-up of petrol-electric and plug-in hybrid line-up models, concepts and technology displays.

The Japanese giant will also take the opportunity to show off further developments of its fuel cell hybrid technology, before the launch of its first fuel cell production vehicle in 2015, the FCHV mid-size passenger vehicle.