Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) will show the “GRMN (GAZOO Racing1 tuned by MN2) SPORTS HYBRID Concept II”, a convertible mid-engined petrol-electric hybrid concept, at the 39th Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race taking place this weekend.
The GRMN SPORTS HYBRID Concept II is an updated version of a petrol-electric sports concept shown at Tokyo Auto Salon in 2010. The vehicle features advanced styling and an improved sports-hybrid AWD system with the main power unit (petrol engine, rear-wheel drive motors and transmission) mid-mounted in conjunction with a front-wheel drive motor. Positioned this way it improves manoeuvrability, increases driving enjoyment and provides enhanced stability.
Toyota launched the world’s first mass-produced petrol-electric vehicle, the Prius, in 1997, and has long conducted active research on applying hybrid technologies to racing and sports cars. The GRMN SPORTS HYBRID Concept II is the next step in the evolution of these efforts.
GRMN SPORTS HYBRID Concept II
| Engine | Type | Petrol V6 |
| Displacement (cc) | 3,456 | |
| Maximum output (bhp) | 245 | |
| System | Maximum output (bhp) | 295 |
| Body | Length (mm) | 4,350 |
| Width (mm) | 1,890 | |
| Height (mm) | 1,200 | |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,575 | |
| Weight (kg) | 1,500 or less | |
| Vehicle layout | Mid-engined with front electric motor | |
| Tyres | Front | 225/40R19 |
| Rear | 255/35R19 | |
24 Hours Nürburgring Race Outline
| Name | 39th ADAC Zurich 24h-Race 2011 |
| Dates | June 23-26, 2011 (main competition runs from June 25 and 26) |
| Venue | Nürburgring (Nürburg, Ahrweiler, State of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany) |
1 A vehicle-development and motor-sports support program created by GAZOO, which also operates the GAZOO.com customer-participation portal site launched in 1998, “GAZOO mura” driving events and the “Drive Kingdom” large-scale test-drive events for the general public.
2 Stands for “Meister of Nürburgring”, referring to Hiromu Naruse (1944-2010), a TMC test driver and chief of the GAZOO Racing team.