Toyota’s Yaris Hybrid-R is definitely not what you’d expect a hybrid to be. Aside from the speed, the Hybrid-R eschews the traditional battery pack power configuration for a system that employs both super capacitors and motor generators. Toyota logic is that super-capacitors have a higher power density than batteries and can recharge faster, particularly if they’re hooked up to an regenerative braking system. With that in mind Toyota’s Hybrid-R uses its super-capacitors to give it the fast burst of power it needs for accelerating.
Configured so that the front wheels are driven by a 300HP 4 cylinder turbo engine, the Hybrid-R sets augments its performance with twin 60HP electric motors attached to each rear wheel. When needed, these twin motors can be jolted into action by the vehicles super-capacitors.
According to Toyota’s press release, “Depending on the radius of the curve, the system can send more torque to the outside rear wheel allowing higher cornering speeds into the corner (middle-speed curves), apply more braking force to the inside wheel (fast curves), or even brake and accelerate each wheel independently (slow curves) to adjust the yaw effect for a better line, to limit steering angle, and understeer."
While the advanced rear-wheel driving system speaks to the Hybrid-R’s racing potential, designers at Toyota didn’t stop there. To give the hybrid the utmost control, a 60HP motor was added to the vehicle to act as a generator to assist in braking, provide traction control and stabilize the car if the rear wheel torque is about to send the car into a fishtail.
While no one outside of Toyota is certain if this concept car will ever become a reality, I imagine there are a ton of racing enthusiasts out there who’d love to get their hands on a Hybrid-R. Count me as one.
Images Courtesy of Toyota