Toyota’s motorsport division has unveiled a new concept car featuring hybrid technology derived from the company’s Le Mans racer.
Named after the firm’s Gazoo Racing team, the GR Super Sport Concept bears a clear resemblance to Toyota’s TS050, reports Auto Express, and is powered by the same 2.4-litre twin-turbo hybrid V6 engine that took last year’s race car to a record-breaking lap around the Le Mans 24 Hours circuit.
The concept delivers 986bhp to all four wheels, but there’s no word yet on performance figures, says the magazine.
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While the hypercar is currently only a concept, Autocar reports that Toyota is keen for its GR sports brand to produce more performance cars - particularly ones with hybrid powertrains.
Technology from the electrified petrol engine in the Super Sport could filter its way down to the company’s forthcoming hybrid sports car, due out late this year, the magazine says.
The sports car is expected to revive the iconic Supra moniker and act as a halo model for the GR performance brand.
Toyota isn’t the only car firm installing top-tier motorsport technology into its road cars.
In September, Mercedes-AMG announced its Project One hypercar, which, in similar fashion to the GR Super Sports, is powered by a hybrid turbocharged V6 engine derived from its championship-winning F1 car.
Aston Martin is also using racing technology in its £2.5m Valkyrie, which has been designed by Adrian Newey - the mastermind behind Red Bull’s four F1 world championship victories.
