Toyota TE-Spyder 800
The Toyota TE-Spyder 800 revealed at the recent 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon, the cars come together in quite an enticing package--one that could appeal to gearheads and hypermiling eco-drivers alike.
Based on the third generation of
Toyota's 'Midship Runabout' series, the TE-Spyder ditches the MR2's typical
1.8-liter 1ZZ four-cylinder and replaces it for a 116-horsepower 1.5-liter
1NZ-FE unit. It does use the
102-horsepower electric motor from the current Prius. The two are matched up to
Toyota's electronic-Continuously Variable Transmission, which is actually a
planetary gearbox capable of mixing and matching drive from the engine and electric
motor.
An e-CVT doesn't immediately scream
"sports car", but in a car weighing under 2,200 lbs the combination
is still enough to deliver reasonable performance at 5.8 seconds to 62 mph,
it's actually quicker than the MR2 on which it's based. It certainly doesn't
look anything like the MR2 in reality, it's probably closer to the recent
Honda S660 concept but it does look a whole lot more modern with its
targa-style profile and slim-line headlights. Inside, the Prius similarities
are more clear, with the sweeping center console of the current Prius. The
wheel and seats are aftermarket items, and data is relayed to the driver via a
TFT screen in front of the steering wheel.
There's no word on fuel economy, nor
range, but the TE-Spyder does have another ace up its sleeve, the ability to
plug it in for an extra dose of all-electric range. Given the low weight of the
car, we're guessing there aren't too many batteries hidden away in that compact
body, but it has to be one of the greener sports cars around.
