Toyota
Yaris Hybrid-R Concept
Making its World Premiere at the 2013 Frankfurt
Motor Show, the Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R concept car combines the advanced
technology of the compact volume seller Toyota Yaris Hybrid with
high-performance engineering inspired by Toyota's racing prototype, the TS030
Hybrid, which participated at Le Mans and in the World Endurance Championship.
The result is a highly focused concept car dedicated to maximising driving
pleasure on road and on track.
Based on the Yaris 3-door, the Toyota Yaris Hybrid
R concept hybrid powertrain configuration, employs a powerful and highly tuned
1.6l petrol engine combined with two powerful electric motors to provide an
'intelligent' electric four-wheel drive capability.
The Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R features a more
aggressive and emotional interpretation of the design language that
characterises recent Toyota models. The Keen Look and Under Priority design
philosophy is reinforced by the adoption of newly designed headlights, a wider
front grille and black and blue details that contrast with the white body
colour.
The specific bumper design incorporates two large
air intakes and blue LED daytime running lights. The intakes greatly contribute
to the front brake cooling, while the shape of the lower lip is designed to
centrally channel underbody air flow.
The flared fenders house bespoke 18-inch TRD wheels
fitted with 225/40 R18 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tyres featuring an asymmetrical
tread design to complement the Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R sporty philosophy. Ideally
suited for a mixed use on the road and on the track, this choice of
high-performance tyre is a symbol of the fruitful cooperation between Michelin
and our racing team involved in the World Endurance Championship series.
Grooved and perforated brake discs are gripped by
six-piston callipers in the front and four-piston callipers in the rear.
Located on the rear pillar, a quick opening fuel cap makes easier a quick
refuel in the pits.
At the rear, Yaris Hybrid specific LED lights
maintain the link with the production car. An exclusive spoiler is mounted on
the roof and the redesigned bumper incorporates a large diffuser, with an
exhaust pipe framed by two air extractors.
The front wheels are driven by a 300 hp 4-cylinder
1.6 turbo engine with direct injection specifically developed by Toyota
Motorsport GmbH (TMG) according to the rules of the International Automobile
Federation (FIA) for a Global Race Engine to be utilised in different
motorsport disciplines.
At the rear, each wheel is individually powered by
a 60 hp electric motor - the same as those used in the standard Yaris Hybrid.
The hybrid powertrain system develops a total system output of 420 hp. The two electric motors work as electric generators
during the braking phase, and supplement the petrol engine during the
accelerating phases.
Just like in the TS030 Hybrid, the energy recovered
during the braking phase is stored in a super capacitor. In the Toyota Yaris
Hybrid-R it is located under the rear seat, where the Yaris Hybrid battery is
usually positioned. Compared to the standard NiMh hybrid battery, the super
capacitor has a higher power density and a fast power charge / discharge speed.
It is perfectly suited to the requirements of sporty driving on track, which
requires brief and immediate bursts of power.
A 3rd 60 hp electric motor, located between the
engine and the 6 gear sequential transmission, operates as a generator in two
different cases: during deceleration to feed the super capacitor and during
acceleration to directly power the rear electric motors.
The latter will only happen when the engine power
and torque exceed the grip potential of the front wheels. The generator behaves
like an advanced traction control system, redirecting the torque as electric
energy to the rear wheels, to boost the acceleration and improve the handling
rather than to simply limit the engine power.
Matching the colours outside, the dual tone Recaro
bucket seats feature black leather side bolsters and blue Alcantara. The same
blue Alcantara covers part of the door panels and the dashboard to give the
interior a more cohesive, racing-inspired feel.
Ideally located high and close to the driver's
right hand, the shift lever of the sequential gearbox is set up to quickly
change down gears by pushing the lever forwards, and to change up by pulling it
back. The sport steering wheel wrapped in Alcantara welcomes a racing inspired push button to select, at rest, either the
"Track" or "Road" mode, or while driving , the
"Boost" function.
The driving position is ideally completed by a set
of GT 86 sport pedals.
