GRMN, the wonderful concept of an hybrid roadster from Toyota

Toyota-GRMN-sports-hybrid-conceptCould I find a doctor to order one for me? It’s green and sexy and I’m sure this is exactly what I need. It’s a new concept from Toyota. It’s called GRMN and that stands for Gazoo Racing by the Meister of the Nürburgring. Gazoo Racing is a motor racing team and constructor, working on Toyota and Lexus cars exclusively, but I was wondering who was the Meister of the Nürburgring. I found out this was referring to Hiromu Naruse, a former TMC test driver and chief of the GAZOO Racing team who died last year.

This car uses a modified Lexus hybrid powertrain. To explain things the easy way, it has what a Lexus RX450h has on its front wheels (a gas V6 and a big motor) over its rear wheels, and what that same RX has on its rear wheels (a small motor) over its front wheels. So it’s four wheel drive, and about 1,000 pounds lighter than a Lexus RX. That sounds good, and it looks great, too!

This Toyota GRMN SPORTS HYBRID Concept II will be displayed at the Nürburgring this week-end, where more than 200,000 people are expected for the famous 24-Hour race. Gazoo Racing will be there, racing a Lexus LFA and a CT200h, but that sharp roadster might be the car most people would prefer to drive home.