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Yaris Hybrid-RToyota Yaris Hybrid-RJapan, 2013 > present has to be one of the weirdest concepts that will be on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show this year. Toyota announced it as a 400hp car that would take inspiration from the TS030 Le MansToyota TS030 HYBRIDJapan, 2012 > present5 photos
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car. No one ever suspected that it would be in the form of a Yaris.

The Yaris Hybrid-R uses an FIA Global Race Engine-spec 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 300hp, which is very similar to the engines used in the World Touring Car Championship. It also gets three, 60hp electric motors – one located in each rear wheel and one between the engine and transmission. Toyota says that the system gives a total system power of 420hp. With a motor in each wheel, it also gives it an intelligent all-wheel drive system that can direct some of the car’s power wherever it is needed. The electric motors get their power from an ultra capacitor-based charging system that has been adapted from the TS030.

Compared to the NiMh battery in the standard Yaris Hybrid, the ultra capacitor is smaller, lighter, faster charging and has a higher power density. However, it can only discharge its power all at once, which makes it especially suited to helping acceleration. 

The electric motors can discharge their power in two modes. Road mode releases the capacitors power in 10 seconds but sends 40hp of power to the electric motors. In track mode, the system uses up its power in five seconds but provides 120hp to the motors.

When cornering, the system automatically distributes power from side to side in the rear. The motors can act independently as a motor or generator to accelerate or decelerate the rear wheels separately. Depending on how long the driver stays in the corner, the system will send power to the outside rear wheel to increase cornering speed, or during fast cornering it will send power to the inside wheel to reduce the oversteer effect.

Toyota has no intention of putting the Yaris Hybrid-R in production. The car is merely an example of what Toyota Motorsports GmbH can do, and what the future of hybrid sports cars will likely be like.