The GT86-based GR HV Sports concept portrays
Toyota’s will to make gasoline-electric cars an interesting proposition to
petrolheads with the kind help of its Le Mans racer.
The THS-R (Toyota Hybrid
System-Racing) powertrain of the GR HV Sports concept uses technology from
their TS050 Hybrid Le Mans racer, without revealing details like what kind of
petrol engine it uses or how much power it makes.
The highlight of this sporty hybrid concept can be
found however on the transmission choice; the six-speed automatic gearbox is
paired with an H-pattern gear selector, allowing the driver to change gears by
using the lever, just like a manual but without the clutch pedal.
The hybrid powertrain’s battery pack is mounted
right in the middle of the chassis and behind the seats in order to keep weight
close to the center of gravity for better handling.
The design was also inspired by the TS050 Hybrid Le
Mans racer, with the car featuring a completely new face with big LED
headlights, wider fenders and a new rear end that has the exhaust higher and
through the bumper to make room for the giant diffuser. It also has a targa
top, as a nod to the company’s past sports cars like the Toyota Sports 800.
An array of switches for the automatic gearbox are
mounted on the dashboard, with the manual transmission mode engaged with the
single press of a button while Toyota has also added the push button ignition
switch on the shift knob.
While the idea behind the concept is really
interesting, the truth is we expected Toyota to give us more juicy details on
the sporty hybrid stuff.
