Toyota is planning a high-output hybrid supercar that could be on sale by 2007.

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 22, 2004 | 04:28 PM

LexFather

Guest

Posts: n/a

Toyota is planning a high-output hybrid supercar that could be on sale by 2007.

Toyota's supercar is electrifying

Search by subject, and optionally make or model...
Search

Toyota is planning a high-output hybrid supercar that could be on sale by 2007. The flagship Toyota would be the first production supercar with hybrid power, offering high performance with a low environmental impact.

‘If we do a supercar, we don’t want to copy everyone else,’ said Thierry Dombreval, marketing boss for Toyota Motor Europe. ‘With hybrid power we could mix high performance with green credentials.’

At this year’s Geneva Motor Show Italdesign showed the Alessandro Volta (above), a 402bhp
3.3-litre V6 hybrid supercar, with a claimed 155mph top speed, 0-62mph in 4.1sec and 38mpg. It was developed with Toyota.

Although the Volta is not a running prototype, Toyota Motor Europe’s research and development boss Kazuhiko Miyadera said he has driven the company’s high-performance hybrid test car. ‘Because of the steep torque curve of an electric motor, the acceleration is very good. It’s very quick,’ he said.

Toyota is exploring its first supercar to take advantage of its involvement in F1 and to keep up with arch-rival Nissan, which will unveil a 400bhp Skyline GT-R at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. Toyota will also steal a march on Honda, which has canned an NSX replacement (right) in favour of a Porsche Boxster rival, still several years off.

‘A hybrid supercar is just right for Toyota. It is something different and fits our brand,’ said Dombreval. ‘We are leaders in hybrid technology and we could exploit it in this new way.’

But Toyota has to overcome the resistance of supercar buyers, who judge their purchases on factors such as engine size, badge credibility and racing heritage, as well as performance. ‘We don’t think this should be a problem. We could offer something new and different that also has strong performance and is green,’ said Dombreval.

Significantly, because of the size of their markets, both Toyota in the US and Japan are understood to be behind the idea.

Nov 22, 2004 | 05:05 PM

XeroK00L

Lexus Fanatic

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 5,813

Likes: 1

From: The Bay Area, CA, USA

This is great news! I hope the news came out from a more credible site/magazine/authority than the previous hoax.

Where did you find this news, Sick?

Nov 22, 2004 | 05:07 PM

XeroK00L

Lexus Fanatic

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 5,813

Likes: 1

From: The Bay Area, CA, USA

Oh...found the source by searching for the title with Google.

I wanna know where they got this exclusive news from (especially since Toyota hasn't posted such a PR on their own site). Too many unconfirmed rumors floating around already.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/news_article.asp?na_id=212247

Last edited by XeroK00L; Nov 22, 2004 at 05:09 PM.

Nov 22, 2004 | 05:15 PM

LexFather

Guest

Posts: n/a

This will be a TREMENDOUS hit. All those celebrities will trade in their Prius for a tree-hugging 100k exotic. This is a huge gamble and being 1st in this market will say tons about Toyota/Lexus trying to be sportier and balance their enviornmentalist heads. Honda dropped the ball here. A Hybrid NSX would have been something.

Nov 22, 2004 | 05:16 PM

XeroK00L

Lexus Fanatic

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 5,813

Likes: 1

From: The Bay Area, CA, USA

Re: Toyota is planning a high-output hybrid supercar that could be on sale by 2007.

Quote:

Originally posted by 1SICKLEX
Toyota will also steal a march on Honda, which has canned an NSX replacement (right) in favour of a Porsche Boxster rival, still several years off.

A Boxster rival from Honda? That's also news I haven't heard of anywhere else. Really makes me skeptical of the credibility of this article.

Of course, if it's real then it's something the Honda enthusiasts can rejoice over, even though it isn't nearly as good as a new NSX.

Last edited by XeroK00L; Nov 22, 2004 at 05:17 PM.

Nov 22, 2004 | 05:20 PM

XeroK00L

Lexus Fanatic

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 5,813

Likes: 1

From: The Bay Area, CA, USA

Re: Toyota is planning a high-output hybrid supercar that could be on sale by 2007.

Quote:

Originally posted by 1SICKLEX
Although the Volta is not a running prototype, Toyota Motor Europe’s research and development boss Kazuhiko Miyadera said he has driven the company’s high-performance hybrid test car.

Not a running prototype but the boss has driven it? What is that supposed to mean??
Such a contradiction really makes me wonder about the credibility of this article even more, I have to say.

Last edited by XeroK00L; Nov 22, 2004 at 05:24 PM.

Nov 22, 2004 | 05:32 PM

SecPole14

Lexus Champion

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 4,330

Likes: 1

From: I wonder why I live alone here...

A couple of things to keep in mind:

1.) This is freakin' awesome.
2.) Even if the public doesn't think it's freakin' awesome, Toyota can afford to screw up. A lot.
3.) 3.3L V6...small displacement, high-output...THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT!!!!

Toyota better pull through with this...

It'll be a revolution for sure...

Nov 22, 2004 | 05:47 PM

LexFather

Guest

Posts: n/a

Re: Re: Toyota is planning a high-output hybrid supercar that could be on sale by 200

Quote:

Originally posted by XeroK00L
A Boxster rival from Honda? That's also news I haven't heard of anywhere else. Really makes me skeptical of the credibility of this article.

Of course, if it's real then it's something the Honda enthusiasts can rejoice over, even though it isn't nearly as good as a new NSX.

I have read that as well. Honda has been asked by dealers to make a Boxster rival. Basically a new S2000 badged as an Acura. Since S2000 gen 2 was scrapped, they have to start from scratch.