Toyota is understandably proud of its hybrid technologies, having shifted 5.5 million hybrid vehicles since the introduction of the first Prius way back in 1997. To highlight its devotion to the technology the Japanese manufacturer will have a purely hybrid display at the Frankfurt Motor Show, led by the 400hp Yaris Hybrid-R.
Yes that is the same Hybrid-R that we (I) speculated may be the long awaited reborn Supra, but it turns out Toyota plans on shoe-horning a 1.6-litre GRE (Global Race Engine developed by Toyota Motorsport) under the bonnet of a Yaris. This engine, when coupled with a pair of powerful electric motors, gives the concept 400hp and all-wheel drive capability.
A super capacitor, based on the one utilised in Toyota's TS030 Hybrid race car, will recover energy previously lost under braking to deliver maximum performance. Toyota says the system is particularly suitable for use in a sports car thanks to its high power density and quick charge and discharge speeds.
Anything else?
In addition to the Hybrid-R Toyota will also 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.