Kira X

iTrader: (24)

It would be so awesome to have a new MR2. If they can build a new Celica, SC, and Supra, Toyota will be the king of the Japanese car makers.

ydooby

According to MotorTrend the name of the concept is meant to honor Hiromu Naruse the Meister of Nürburgring.
http://wot.motortrend.com/new-mr2-to...#ixzz1Q1fBQ6yT

kumquatism

iTrader: (10)

Sounds like a good concept. I've always loved the MR2 line since I was a kid. I'd buy it if they keep performance first in mind. The hybrid IMO is just a feature to the car; it shouldn't be the car's selling point.

gengar

Thanks for the link. It's funny how they're basically saying it's the RX450h powertrain, but presumably working in the opposite direction relative to the RX. I actually didn't know the RX had transverse engines, which makes it perfect for the MR2. So here it'll basically be the 2GR-FE (rather than the FSE) in the back. (The 2GR-FE is the same engine that goes into the Evora.)

I never looked into the 2GR-FXE before, and didn't realize that the RX450h actually comes in both AWD and FWD variants. Based on posts on the RX forums here, apparently the only difference is the addition of small electric generators to the rear wheels on the AWD; the main part of the gas/hybrid/Atkinson engine is the same either way. That makes me wonder how beneficial such a platform is for sports driving especially given the additional weight and lack of advantage from any weight (re)distribution. It seems to me the real advantage of hybrid AWD in an MR/RR platform is to split as much of the electric stuff away from the gas powerplant as possible.




Ya, it's basically the 2GR-FE unit in 2GR-FXE form so not really "detuned", because that's what it makes in the RX450h. Plus, it's based off the 2GR-FE which in gas-only form is rated ~270hp so not as if it was down from the FSE 306hp or something. Of course, I'd prefer to see this get some performance tuning. I'd really love to see something around at least 320-330hp.

But yeah, as you said, if the weight really does come in at 2800 this will be fun a car even at 300ish hp. The big issue is keeping the weight down.

92 SC400

It looks and sounds kind of heavy. Seems like it could also quickly price itself out of its' market. Hopefully it, if they make this, it doesn't end up with MR2 size and weighing 3,500 lbs.

ydooby

I think that "less than 1,500kg" official 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 around the same as the Concept I if not less.

LexFather

Great info and post. I would assume the battery was upgraded but maybe not? As you stated this is an existing engine platform, one that IMO should be installed in multiple vehicles.

Well just guestimating but it would be a low 6/high 5 second car? That is being generous and assuming a weight around 3300lbs compared to the 450h 4500lbs or so. Then it would get maybe 33 or 34 MPG?

Also this generation RX AWD only kicks in when it detects slippage, otherwise its FWD. The last generation 2RX AWD system was 50/50 all time.

ydooby

It may have the same engine and electric motor as the RX450h but in the RX450h the engine and the motor work together through e-CVT, whereas in this concept they are not even connected, powering the rear wheels and front wheels separately.

92 SC400

Do concepts usually have all the safety features that production cars have when their weights are stated?

spwolf

this is just concept, in no way or form will this appear in production... but it might give them some real ideas for some future production vehicle.

ydooby

Concept cars are not regulated of course, but given that the MR-S that this concept is based on originally weighed 996kg, that the weight difference between the RX350 and the RX450h is 140kg, and that the weight difference between the Auris 1.8 and the Blade 3.5 is 210kg (using Auris/Blade here because it's the only Toyota model with both 1.8 and 3.5 options), the GRMN Concept II should weigh around 996 + 140 + 210 = 1356kg (which is actually heavier than the Concept I).

MR_F1

Man, I remember when an MR-S was spotted at the ring late in it's life cycle with a widened rear end.

This has been in the making forever Should have just made it look like the Volta.

kit cat

iTrader: (6)

in where???

flipside909

Dunno. That's all google translation. Not mine.

kit cat

iTrader: (6)

doh...
re-read the JDM link but didn't see anything about chicago...got me excited for a second.