LexFather

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/15/t...400-hp-3-3-li/

Back in November, the rumormill was set ablaze when reports began to surface that Toyota was working on a new MR2 packing hybrid power. Today, those rumors have been laid to rest... kinda.

In addition to the G Sport Series FT-86 and Prius, Toyota trotted out a concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon based on the third generation MR-S (ZZW30). Although the MR2 was nixed in the U.S. in 2005 (and in Japan in 2007), Toyota and its partners at Gazoo saw fit to resurrect its midship drop-top by fitting a 3.3-liter V6 where the old 1.8-liter four-cylinder used to reside and an electric motor mated to a THSII hybrid system up front. That's right, the MR2 Sports Hybrid Concept is all-wheel drive, and between the two mills, it's churning out over 400 horsepower through a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

But despite its boosted output, the 2,800-pound concept is a bit on the porky side compared to its 2,200-pound predecessor. Toyota claims it can run to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds – still better than the stock ZZW30, but at what a cost to the MR2's supreme chuckability? While there's no chance of Toyota putting the MR2 Sports Hybrid Concept into production, this could point the way for things to come – for better or worse. Make the jump for a promo video.

spwolf

2800lbs and 400 hp is porky... yeah... i will take one of whatever they are smoking

Mister Two

Why use the obsolete RX400h powertrain? I don't understand... And keep the MR2 as light as possible by keeping it RWD please... though I'm just happy they're testing the next MR2 at all.

SLegacy99

3.3L? No thank you. I'm not sure why that engine is still in production.

Mister Two

Probably from the leftover Solaras.

spwolf

probably from Volta concept... you are so into marketing it is not even funny (it is, it is!).
Here is the car that can get 40 mpg, is mid-engined, AWD, and has 400hp, probably handles and goes faster than IS-F in every possible concievable way and yet you can only think of MZ series engine ;-).

Och

iTrader: (3)

I highly doubt if this is the same old 3.3, unless its the Lotus tuned version of the 3.3

spwolf

it might even have direct injection ;-)... afterall, it is making 130hp more than RX400h setup

UberNoob

interesting but im sure it will be a new body when it becomes a production ready design

LexFather

This is just another mask of what is really coming. A 400hp next Supra that will be a hybrid.

Koma

iTrader: (3)

I spy IS-F exhaust.

Initial B

iTrader: (2)

I'm looking forward to the FT-86, but there's a certain spark missing, so I'm not sure if I'd buy one (I would have for sure bought one instead of my S2000, but wasn't given that choice to make). If Toyota comes out with a proper MR2 replacement (ie: with a decent tranny and 300+ hp), I'm in!

(Cj)

exactly, and this also bodes well for the next GSh and LSh

MR_F1

This has been under development for a while. As mentioned, This is the same drivetrain the Volta had, and I'm pretty sure the widebody MR-S that was spotted testing on the ring back in 2005 had this hardware too. I'm sure a production version would use the 3.5 2GR though, as I doubt the 3.3 MZ is still in production.

This concept really piques my interest, I just wish that they could find a better transmission to use, at least a sequential or something, because I really can't see how a CVT would work out in a sports car. I'm sure it's be great performance wise (after all, F1 was trying to use them before they got banned), but from a drivers enjoyment perspective...... that's really questionable.

I wanna know more about this thing, cause a lot has come about since then, new packaging, etc etc.

MR_F1

That's what I figure too, but will it be MR like this or go the route of the FT-HS? That is the million dollar question.