Toyota's->ke88 promise of showcasing its Le Mans->ke1591 hybrid technology on a road car will come to fruition at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show->ke235, as it prepares to unveil the Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R Concept.

This new concept may seem unimposing when you read that it is based on a Yaris -- blah -- but save your judgement for something else because this is one sick miniature hatchback. With a TS030-inspired drivetrain in tow that cranks out in excess of 400 ponies, this is not your typical grocery getter.

This bad boy will likely give plenty of supercars->ke177 a run for their money while hauling a few gallons of milk, a loaf of bread and laundry detergent all at the same time. All of the details are not available yet, but Toyota->ke88 has released all that we need to know to be able to chalk this one up and a certified bad-ass.

Toyota will unveil the concept on September 10th at 12:45 p.m. in Hall 8.

Updated 9/4/2013: Toyota has just released more images of the Yaris Hybrid-R. You can see them all in the gallery.

Click past the jump to read about the Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R

2013 Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R Concept

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R Concept
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 414
  • Torque: 650
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Exterior

The exterior of the Yaris Hybrid-R Concept is still in its rendering stage, but the design is realistic and looks auto-show ready. It features blue highlights on the side skirts, front splitter and the lower-grille surround to contrast its base coat, which looks to be either white or silver. On each side of the modified front apron, the Hybrid-R boasts a huge air intake to help keep things all cool under the hood and/or in the front braking system.

Around back, the blue accent continues up and around a few massive air outlets on the bumper. The only other part of the rear end that looks the part of the concept are the clear taillights. The rest is all pretty much from a stick Yaris.

The stock look of this concept may trick you into thinking that this the Yaris Hybrid-R may be a reality at some point, but we suggest curtailing your enthusiasm a bit. We'll know more about its production possibilities following the Frankfurt show.

Interior

There is no information on the interior yet, but we can guess that this white and blue theme will carry on into the cabin, with the main color being white with splashes of blue to spice it up a bit. We also expect to see plenty of technology inside the cabin, like hybrid monitors and all of high-tech gadgets to help monitor and control the various systems on this hot concept.

Drivetrain, Suspension and Brakes

Under the hood is where this Yaris earns its stripes, as it features a 1.6-liter turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a pair of electric motors. The 1.6-liter four-pot is responsible for driving the front wheels, while the two 60-horsepower electric motors -- the same motor found in the Yaris hybrid -- each drive one rear wheel. This all-wheel-drive setup delivers a maximum of 414 horsepower to all four wheels.

The two electric motors actually serve a dual purpose, as they help the Yaris accelerate at breakneck speeds and also serve as generators to recoup energy during braking. What's more, is that this energy that the motors recoup during braking gets saved up in a supercapacitor and delivers extra power, when needed. For example, if the Yaris is in "Road" mode, the electric motors' are reduced to 40 horsepower total and the supercapacitor can deliver this power for 10 seconds per charge. In the "Track" mode, the motors run at a combined 119 horsepower for 5 seconds per charge for extreme acceleration bursts.

These separate motors allow the Yaris Hybrid-R to perform delicate torque vectoring for optimal performance. Each motor can deliver more or less torque, as needed, to help steer the hot hatch through a tight corner. Additionally, the slower wheel can also act as a generator, which can charge the supercapacitor and allow you to rocket out of the corner in perfect situations.

One final electric motor sits in between the gasoline engine and the six-speed sequential gearbox, and this motor has two functions. It's primary function is to act as a generator to the supercapacitor and the rear motors, keeping them all full of juice. It's secondary task is to act as a traction control system that directs torque to the rear motors to enhance traction and allow the Yaris to handle or launch more effectively. Unlike traditional traction-control systems that limit engine power, this system supplements the engine power to maximize grip, leading to intense acceleration.

Competition

2015 BMW i3

The BMW i3 is by no means a real threat to the performance numbers of the Yaris Hybrid-R, nor is the Hybrid-R a threat to ever make it to production. But, they are similar in that they both use small displacement and electric power to create impressive output. The i3 delivers 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque from its three-cylinder engine and sprints to 60 mph in 7 seconds, which is not too shabby for its class.

Conclusion

So far, the Yaris Hybrid-R looks like a bad-ass, but the chances of this technology actually making it to the compact hatchback are slim. We wouldn't be at all surprised to see this drivetrain make its way into the future Supra.