Toyota has been so busy making cars that ostensibly save the planet that it's left the sportscar gamut a little neglected of late. That's set to change though, and if proof were needed it's to be found on the maker's stand at the Tokyo Salon this month. The
G Sports Prius is a bit of a sideshow as far as sporty hybrids are concerned, but this GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept looks the real deal.
If you're wondering, GRMN is an acronym of 'Gazoo Racing Master of Nurburgring', a brilliant piece of semi-Jap-lish that pays homage to the fact Toyota's CEO races around the 'ring for the Gazoo team.
Based on the MR2 chassis, the car pictured is four-wheel drive, with power drawn from a hybrid system that mates electric shove to a 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine. Batteries power the front wheels and the V6 the rears, and it's a full hybrid so it can be driven on electric power only or using a combination of both for four-wheel traction and 'more than 392bhp'.
Think about the size of the MR2 and it won't surprise you to learn that the 0-62mph time is reported at well under five seconds. Furthermore, Toyota is said to be considering production as early as 2011 to give the
Honda CR-Z hybrid coupé a proper run for its money.
Mark Nichol - 19 Jan 2010