With everyone predictably swarming over the Toyobaru Twins here at the Tokyo Motor Show, one bit of performance geekery has been largely overlooked.

Toyota brought out the second iteration of its MR-S/MR2-based GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept, with an all-new look, more carbon fiber and a reworked hybrid powertrain. The standard 2ZZ four-cylinder (or lesser 1ZZ in the States) has been swapped out for a 3.5-liter V6 mounted amidships and outputting 247 horsepower. While that’s not much juice from a big V6, the addition of an electric motor powering the front wheels brings overall output up to just under 300 hp, allowing the 3,300-pound roadster to run to 60 mph in the mid-five-second range.

If you’re wondering about the name, it’s an acronym for “Gazoo Racing tuned by Meister of the Nürburgring,” referring to Toyota’s ace test driver, the late Hiromu Naruse. Along with the Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition, this was the final vehicle Naruse-san worked on before his untimely demise, and it’s one of maybe three vehicles at the show that we’d drive home tomorrow given the chance.

MR2 lives on with Toyota GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota is set to pull the sheets back on a new convertible sports hybrid at this year’s Nurburgring 24-Hour endurance race. Co-developed by Gazoo Racing, the GRMN Hybrid Concept II is a slightly updated version of the concept that Toyota displayed at the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon.

With its gasoline engine mounted mid-ship and a hybrid all-wheel-drive system, the GRMN should deliver drivers plenty of grip and excellent balance as well. Total combined output sits at 295 horsepower, with 245 ponies coming from the gasoline V6 and another 50 arriving via an electric motor. That motor supplies power to the two front wheels only.

The automaker says the machine weighs in at less than 3,300 lbs, though there’s no indication as to what sort of fuel economy to expect from the drop-head. So, when can you buy one? We wouldn’t hold our breath. With its wild looks and pricey all-wheel-drive system, it’ll be a cold day in Toyota City before the GRMN lands on dealer lots. Hit the jump for the press release.

Continue reading Toyota to reveal GRMN Hybrid concept at Nürburgring 24

Toyota to reveal GRMN Hybrid concept at Nürburgring 24 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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