Toyota working on one Electric GR. To reveal this exciting news, Autocar, who had the opportunity to speak with the president of the Japanese company, Akio Toyoda during the recent 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the manufacturer came in second behind Ferrari.
The starting point is not the car’s transmission, but how fun it is to drive, regardless of engine type. I actually had the opportunity to test the BEV GR we are working on. I don’t know if this car will hit the market, but the first priority when building these cars is that they should be fun to drive, no matter what transmission they use.
In short, Toyota technicians are working on one electric sports car. From the looks of it, it will not only be fun to drive, but will offer the kind of performance found on endothermic GR models today. In fact, according to Toyoda, there will also be a “clutch and gearbox.” And also sports there will be sound can simulate an internal combustion engine. Toyota Board President explains:
The biggest difference from other BEVs we develop is that when you’re in a GR BEV, you can actually hear the engine noise even if you don’t smell gasoline. There is also a manual transmission and clutch. If you put someone in a car and ask them to drive it and guess the transmission, they probably won’t be able to tell you.
The reference to having a clutch and gearbox may be a reference to the project he is doing. Lexus on a manual transmission for electric vehicles. In fact, it will not be a real gearbox, since the operation will simulated. Therefore, this change will change the torque transmission of the electric motor through software only. Will it be a solution that will find its place on the electric GR? Possibly, but no confirmation yet.
This electric sports car won’t necessarily hit the market after all. As Toyoda adds, the company wants to understand what fundamental aspects of a sports car should not be lost in electric models. The president of the Japanese automaker then provided some details on the design of the electric GR, saying it will have “real electric look“.
Recall that by the end of 2021, Toyota showed 15 electric concepts. Some became production models, some did not. Among the prototypes was a sports electric car brand GR. Is this the car you are currently working on? Perhaps even if there is no confirmation.
Even if Toyoda hasn’t said anything about it, it’s possible that this sports car could have next-generation batteries coming from 2026, the specifications of which the Japanese brand recently revealed some details about. Therefore, it remains only to wait for news about the possible appearance of an electric GR in the future.
Source: HD Motori
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.