A Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R of 420 hp revealed at Frankfurt autoshow

Based on the Yaris 3-door, the Yaris Hybrid R concept hybrid powertrain configuration combines the 1.6l petrol Global Race Engine with two electric motors to provide an ‘intelligent’ electric four-wheel drive capability.

The front wheels are driven by a 300 hp 4-cylinder 1.6l turbo engine with direct injection specifically developed by Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) according to the rules of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) for a Global Race Engine to be utilised in various motorsport disciplines. At the rear, each wheel is individually powered by a 60 hp electric motor – the same as those used in the standard Yaris Hybrid. 1.6l Toyota Hybrid-R engineTaken together, the hybrid powertrain system develops a total system output of 420 hp. The two electric motors work as electric generators during the braking phase, and supplement the petrol engine during the accelerating phases.

Super-capacitor used for braking energy recovery

Just like in the TS030 HYBRID, the energy recovered during the braking phase is stored in a super capacitor. Compared to the standard NiMh hybrid battery, the super capacitor has a higher power density and a fast power charge / discharge speed. It is perfectly suited to the requirements of sporty driving on track, which requires brief and immediate bursts of power.Yaris Hybrid-R

Nevertheless, level of power depends on the duration of energy delivery desired. In road mode, the super-capacitor releases the energy recovered under braking for a maximum duration of 10 seconds per charge and the total power of the two electric motors is reduced to 40 hp. In track mode, the rear electric motors reach a combined maximum power of 120hp for up to 5 seconds per charge, reflecting the higher frequency of braking and acceleration events during circuit driving.

Advanced traction control

A 3rd 60 hp electric motor, located between the engine and the 6 gear sequential transmission, operates as a generator in two different cases: during deceleration to feed the super capacitor and during acceleration to directly power the rear electric motors.

The latter will only happen when the engine power and torque exceed the grip potential of the front wheels. The generator behaves like an advanced traction control system, redirecting the torque as electric energy to the rear wheels, to boost the acceleration and improve the handling rather than to simply limit the engine power.

Torque vectoring thanks to electric motors

Rear electric motors – one per wheel – can influence the Yaris Hybrid-R handling characteristics during cornering by altering the distribution of torque between the left and right rear wheels. Each motor can be used independently as a generator or a motor to achieve the same effect as an intelligent torque vectoring differential.

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.Torque Vectoring principle

Source: Toyota

Romain’s opinion:

The use of 3 electric machines is really exotic. I guess this vehicle is definitely sport oriented despite a probable high cost. Making use of an additional electric motor for vehicle dynamics benefits is really challenging as it requires advanced control algorithms. In which competition do you think this car will compete? How will it behave in real race conditions? What about the reliability of the system?

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