Photo: Toyota
The 2017 Tokyo Motor Show is an important venue for Toyota. On October 25, the Japanese automaker will take the veils off the all-new Crown, Century, and the GR HV Sports Concept. The latter is an intriguing exhibit, to say the least, partially because the interior is chock-full of bits and pieces from the 86.
From the design of the dashboard to the HVAC controls, steering wheel, infotainment system, manual transmission, and handbrake lever, most of the cabin is taken from the boxer-powered sports car co-developed with Subaru. Even the wheelbase and stance hark back to the 86, though most body panels are exclusive to the concept, as are the headlights and alloys.
According to Toyota, the “GR HV Sports Concept represents a new way to enjoy cars by integrating the thrill of a sports car with the environmental friendliness of an eco-car.” But instead of the Hybrid Synergy Drive powering the Prius, the design study features a powertrain inspired by the Hybrid System-Racing system of the TS050 Hybrid LMP1-H endurance racecar.
As you might have noticed from the photo gallery, the Toyota GR HV Sports Concept features something rarely found on modern sports cars. That would be targa top, which the Japanese manufacturer says that it’s a nod to the Sports 800 and the Supra. That’s nice and all, but the biggest quirk of the concept is the transmission, gear lever and all. Even though it appears to be a six-speed manual at first glance, that’s actually an automatic box.
With the single press of the button labeled “M” on the dashboard, Toyota says, the GR HV Sports Concept allows the driver to shift his own gears. To improve the handling characteristics, the battery is located near the center of the vehicle, thus helping the GR HV Sports Concept carve corners like a pro.
Toyota hasn’t expressed any plans of putting this concept into production, though it will be interesting to see what the future holds.
According to Toyota, the “GR HV Sports Concept represents a new way to enjoy cars by integrating the thrill of a sports car with the environmental friendliness of an eco-car.” But instead of the Hybrid Synergy Drive powering the Prius, the design study features a powertrain inspired by the Hybrid System-Racing system of the TS050 Hybrid LMP1-H endurance racecar.
As you might have noticed from the photo gallery, the Toyota GR HV Sports Concept features something rarely found on modern sports cars. That would be targa top, which the Japanese manufacturer says that it’s a nod to the Sports 800 and the Supra. That’s nice and all, but the biggest quirk of the concept is the transmission, gear lever and all. Even though it appears to be a six-speed manual at first glance, that’s actually an automatic box.
With the single press of the button labeled “M” on the dashboard, Toyota says, the GR HV Sports Concept allows the driver to shift his own gears. To improve the handling characteristics, the battery is located near the center of the vehicle, thus helping the GR HV Sports Concept carve corners like a pro.
Toyota hasn’t expressed any plans of putting this concept into production, though it will be interesting to see what the future holds.
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