Toyota GT 86 Hybrid Under Development

Jason Siu
by Jason Siu

Could a Scion FR-S hybrid be on the horizon? Don’t be surprised if it is.

It’s no secret that Toyota wants to give its newest sports car more performance, but previously it was believed that it would come in the form of a larger engine. For one, it’d be most cost-efficient, and secondly, it wouldn’t add a ton of additional weight to the FR-S. But according to Toyota’s senior manager for drivetrain engineering, Koei Saga, development work on a hybrid powertrain for the GT 86 is “quite advanced now, so if the green light is given, we are ready to do it.”

SEE ALSO: Scion FR-S to Get More Power From Larger Engine

At the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, Toyota is showing off its Yaris Hybrid-R concept, which essentially borrows its powertrain from the Japanese automaker’s TS030 Hybrid Le Mans race car. With a total system output of 420 horsepower, the Yaris Hybrid-R concept is no slouch, and proves that hybrid technology can be used for more fun. But the Yaris R, even in concept form, uses a six-speed sequential transmission. There’s no arguing that the FR-S wouldn’t be an FR-S without a manual transmission.

While it’s unlikely the FR-S will see a hybrid powertrain in its current form, don’t be surprised if the next-generation model benefits from the technology.

[Source: Autocar UK]

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Jason Siu
Jason Siu

Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.

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