420 hp Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R Concept hits Frankfurt

Yes, you read it right. It is a Yaris, with power figures of a combined 420 hp that could very well take on a V8 Mustang. But don’t get too jumpy yet, because this machine is just a hybrid concept which is coupled with a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder. The Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R debuted at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.

What you get under the hood is a 300 hp 1.6-litre direct-injection, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that powers the front wheels. The gas engine is followed by three electric motors buzzing out 60 hp each. Two of those motors are expected to power the rear wheels, while the third motor is located between the engine and 6-speed sequential gearbox. This operates as a generator, both during deceleration to feed power to the supercapacitor, and during acceleration to power the rear electric motors.

However, the latter only happens when engine power and torque exceed the front wheels grip limit. The generator works like an advanced traction control system, redirecting torque as electric energy to the rear wheels to boost acceleration and improve handling, rather than simply to limit engine power. This torque distribution makes it more like a differential. Torque is measured at about 420 Nm.

Coming back to the topic of ‘Supercapacitor’; it is derived from the Toyota TS030 Hybrid Le Mans racer. And what it has is higher power density, which makes way for fast power charges and discharges. It allows immediate bursts of power. So essentially, when the Yaris Hybrid-R is running in “road” mode, the supercapacitor releases energy for a of maximum 10 seconds per charge, and the total power of the two electric motors is reduced to 40 hp. In “track” mode, the motors reach a combined maximum of 119 hp for up to five seconds per charge, because of the more frequent braking and acceleration in circuit driving.

Don’t expect the Yaris Hybrid-R to be zooming past you local malls just yet. It is still a concept which could very well be just a hybrid-track car. If it does make it to the showrooms, it could be a more toned down version.