Toyota GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II To Debut At Nurburgring 24

[vh_supra26]

Toyota GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II

Though it wasn't the first, Toyota has become the biggest brand in the hybrid world. So far, those hybrids haven't been all that exciting. The GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II hopes to change that.

You might remember (or guess from the name) that there was a previous Sports Hybrid Concept. Based on the defunct MR-2 Spyder, that concept was all about the underlying powertrain: all-wheel drive, 392 horsepower, 4.5-seconds to 60 mph and 2,860 pounds total vehicle weight. The new concept picks up where the first left off, adding a new look to the mix.






A new look may be all there is to it, however: it appears to be a body kit on the same mid-engine MR-2 Spyder platform. Toyota doesn't say otherwise in its release.

Under the skin, the hybrid system is down-rated to just 295 total horsepower, 245 of which come from the 3.5-liter gasoline V-6 engine. It's still all-wheel drive, with the electric motor driving the front wheels.

If you're curious as to the meaning of the GRMN name, it stands for Gazoo Racing tuned by MN.

Look for the full details and more photos once it's unveiled this weekend at the Nurburgring 24 hour race.

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...nurburgring-24

[vh_supra26]

Is the GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II the next MR2?

For years now Toyota has toyed with sporty hybrid cars, promising that one would eventually make it to the market. And Toyota’s latest sporty hybrid is set to hit the Nürburgring endurance race in July.

While the new GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II seems to demonstrate a sporty hybrid is coming, when still isn’t very clear.

Anyway, the GRMN Sports Hybrid, short for Gazoo Racing Meister of Nürburgring, honors the Gazzo motor sport’s team, while the Meister of the Nürburgring was the nickname of the late test driver Hiromu Naruse.

More important, the GRMN will be a 3300 pound two-seat hybrid powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 gasoline engine capable of 245 hp and mated to an electric motor to power the real wheels. However, the all wheel drive hybrid also utilizes a 295-hp electric motor to drive the front wheels.

Obviously, such a high-powered hybrid probably fits the Lexus brand far better than Toyota, if the GRMN is in fact a step closer to a real world sporty Toyota hybrid. Hopefully, however, the GRMN doesn’t suggest that Toyota is foregoing a more efficiency-focused — and cost-effective — sporty hybrid.

http://www.favstocks.com/toyota-spor...e-mix/2269727/

[vh_supra26]

Toyota GRMN Sport Hybrid Concept II Revealed; “Next Step” in Hybrid Sports Car Development

Toyota‘s plans for a true hybrid sports car are edging closer to reality with the debut of the GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II. Over a year ago Toyota first revealed the MR2-based hybrid sports car and this updated version of the car proves the automaker’s commitment to the project

In a press release Toyota points to its hybrid expertise, beginning with the launch of the Prius in 1997 and continuing applications and development of hybrid technology. Toyota, “has long conducted active research on applying hybrid technologies to racing and sports cars,” reads the release. “The GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II is the next step in the evolution of these efforts.”

Powered by a gasoline-electric drivetrain with a “sports-hybrid AWD system” the gasoline engine powers the rear wheels and is mid-mounted, with an electric motor powers the front wheels.

Toyota is displaying the GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II for the first time this weekend at the 30th running of the Nurburgring 24 Hour race and will also showcase the car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/t...rid-concept-ii

[vh_supra26]

At the 24 Hours of Nürburgring endurance race in late July, Toyota will debut an oddly named sports-car concept. The new roadster is called the GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II: The letters “GRMN” translate to Gazoo Racing Meister of Nürburgring — Gazoo Racing being a Japanese motorsports group, while the Meister of the Nürburgring is a nickname for Toyota’s late test driver Hiromu Naruse.

Polysyllabic naming aside, the GRMN is an all-wheel-drive, hybrid, mid-engine roadster. Behind the two seats is a 3.5-liter V-6 gasoline engine rated for 245 hp, whichdrives the rear wheels in tandem with an electric motor. A 295-hp electric motor drives the front wheels, providing all-wheel-drive and hybrid capabilities.

Toyota says its concept will weigh 3300 pounds “or less,” and at 171.3 inches long and 74.4 wide, the GRMN is approximately the same size as a 2012 Ford Focus hatchback. The car is said to offer an “exhilarating driving experience” and serves as the next step in Toyota’s ongoing development of hybrid technology.

Notice the “II” at the end of the car’s full name? That’s because Toyota previously showed off a GRMN concept in January 2010. That car was a crude mock-up, with new bodywork and powertrain components hastily stuffed into the chassis of a last-generation Toyota MR2. It looked more like a cheap kit car, whereas the GRMN II seen today has a shapely, Audi R8 Spyder-like appearance.

The prior concept connected a mid-mounted 3.3-liter V-6 and an electric motor to the rear wheels, with a claimed output of 392 hp. Electric motors likewise powered the front wheels. Toyota said the 3300-pound concept could hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and could travel several miles on electric power alone.

There are no promises as to whether these GRMN concept cars will transform into a production vehicle, but we previously heard rumors that a GRMN-like vehicle was headed to production. If so, it will almost certainly revive the famed letters “MR2” — those of the small, mid-engine Toyota sports car sold in the U.S. from 1984 through 2005.

Read more: http://wot.motortrend.com/new-mr2-to...#ixzz1Q1fBQ6yT

[vh_supra26]

Toyota will show the “GRMN (GAZOO Racing tuned by MN2) SPORTS HYBRID Concept II”, a convertible mid-ship gasoline-electric hybrid concept, at the 39th Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race to be held near Nürburg, Germany, from June 23 through 26.
The GRMN SPORTS HYBRID Concept II is an updated version of a gasoline-electric sports concept shown at Tokyo Auto Salon 2010 and has been developed to embody the enjoyment of automobiles. The vehicle features advanced styling and an improved sports-hybrid AWD system with the main power unit (gasoline engine, rear-wheel drive motors and transmission) located in the middle of the body and a front-wheel drive motor in front—all positioned to improve maneuverability, enhance driving enjoyment and provide enhanced stability. Meanwhile, top-down driving in electric-vehicle mode gives a fresh and exhilarating driving experience.
Engine
Type 2GR-FXE
Displacement 3,456 cc
Maximum output 183 kW (249 PS)
System
Maximum output 220 kW (299 PS)
Weight 1,500 kg or less
Vehicle layout Mid-ship with front electric motor

http://en.akihabaranews.com/99245/ca...at-nurburgring

[Ryuu0u]

That is actually really cool looking! Would be cool to see them bring back the mr-s. So VH supra u gona be news man here just like HI?

[bofa]

That's gonna be $$$$$$.

Thanks for sharing though - pretty cool. Gives me something to look forward to in July.

[vh_supra26]

Originally Posted by Ryuu0u

So VH supra u gona be news man here just like HI?

nope, the admin here doesn't like me

[RRnold]

The look might have to grow on some folks but definitely a step in the right direction. Thanks for sharing VH! :happy0180:

The first thing I thought was the exposed headlights and how much wind resistance that would factor in.

[EJ20]

AUTOMATIC FTL

[Dark]

So that's the thing hidden under MR-S prototype? Saahweet

[Matador]

Nice... but 1500kg is unacceptable. WTF.

[ydooby]

Originally Posted by MatadorRacing_F1

Nice... but 1500kg is unacceptable. WTF.

I think that figure is grossly overestimated. The Concept I, which uses the the older 3.3L V6 driving the rear but with a more powerful electric motor driving the front, pumping out 400hp together, weighed 2,860lbs (1,297kg).

The Concept II with the newer 3.5L V6 and less powerful electric motor should weigh less than that.

[serialk11r]

Notice the engine is 2GR-FXE. Atkinson cycle...on a performance vehicle? Really?... That said 245hp from an Atkinson cycle 3.5L isn't too bad, seeing how the regular 2GR doesn't make much more than that. I don't really understand the motive though. If they really want part load efficiency and performance, they need Valvematic on a V6. Tuning that sort of engine would make more sense.

And @RRnold yea the lights seem pretty bad for aerodynamics. I somehow feel like this design is just for show, it doesn't seem like a serious performance car to me. They could do much better than this. The styling is cool though, just cover the lights, make it hardtop or something.