Toyota gears up to unveil GR HV Sports Concept

The dramatic open-top sports-car concept is reportedly inspired by the company's involvement in endurance racing and its legendary Supra and Toyota Sports 800.

The GR HV Sports Concept is designed to promote the fun of driving by combining the thrill of a sports car, a wind-in-the-hair "targa top" opening and Toyota's latest motorsport-developed hybrid technologies.

Its swoopy design and racing-inspired hybrid powertrain are reminiscent of the Toyota Gazoo Racing TS050 Hybrid that competes in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). The LED headlights, five-bolt wheels and rear diffuser evoke the components used on the hybrid-powered WEC racer.

GR is the initials of Toyota's motorsport arm Gazoo Racing while HV stands for hybrid vehicle with the concept using a racing version of hybrid technology refined by the TS050.

To enhance dynamic performance, the concept has a front-engine, rear-drive layout with the hybrid battery placed centrally for optimal front-rear balance and a low centre of gravity.

Embodying the functionality of a genuine sports car, the concept features a push-button ignition on the centrally located automatic gear lever. Six-speed manual operation is available at the press of a button, using a compact H-pattern gearshift.

It also envisaged a front-engine, rear-drive set-up with revolutionary hybrid acceleration and optimal performance with a projected 0-100km/h dash in the four-second range.

Initial specifications