Toyota Hybrid-R Concept – a Yaris with 400bhp – teased for Frankfurt

Toyota are teasing a Hybrid-R Concept ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show which appears to be a Toyota Yaris with a 400bhp hybrid powertrain.

We’ve always believed that the best use for hybrid powertrains is to get extra performance without the penalty of increased fuel consumption.

Toyota, on the other hand, have primarily used their impressive – if complicated and expensive – hybrid powertrains to yield improved economy and emissions from more prosaic cars like the Prius, Yaris and Auris.

But now it looks like Toyota are ready to show us what hybrid technology can offer in the way of performance too, with a tease for what Toyota are calling the Hybrid-R Concept, which appears to be a Yaris with more than 400bhp on tap.

Toyota say their Hybrid-R will use a powertrain with technology similar to the Toyota Racing’s TS030 Hybrid race car in the FIA World Endurance Championship, which should make the Hybrid-R a very butch – and very quick – Yaris.

Toyota aren’t saying, but we guess the Hybrid-R will be 4WD with the engine delivering power to the front wheels and the rear wheels getting powered by electric motors; 400bhp seems a big ask just through the front wheels.

We’ll get more on the Toyota Hybrid-R as Frankfurt approaches, but it will be officially revealed at Toyota’s press conference on 10th September.