Toyota Australia’s Sean Hanley says car enthusiasts need time to warm up to hybrid sports cars. Meanwhile, the company is already testing hybrids on the racetrack and working on electrified versions of rumored comebacks like the MR2 and Celica. Here’s the funny part: while Toyota insists you’re not ready yet, they’re betting you will be soon enough to build an entire lineup of gas-electric performance machines.
- Toyota’s racing division already runs the GR010 Hybrid at Le Mans, proving that electrified powertrains can handle serious performance
- The company is working on a new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing over 400 hp that will likely power hybrid versions of the MR2 and Celica
- Lexus is developing the LFR supercar with a twin-turbo hybrid V-8 making up to 900 hp, going after Ferrari and McLaren
The Mixed Message Problem
When Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia’s Vice President for Sales and Marketing, talks about hybrid sports cars, he sounds cautious. He told Drive magazine that while gas-electric sports cars are “technically possible,” buyers still want the “snap, crackle, and pop” of a regular engine. But then he adds something interesting: “We’re doing hybrids now in different racing conditions globally, so you’d never rule that out.”
Wait, what? Toyota is already racing hybrids competitively, but consumers supposedly aren’t ready for them? The company’s GR010 Hybrid has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice and secured three consecutive World Endurance Championship titles from 2021 to 2023. If hybrid tech works well enough to dominate one of motorsport’s toughest challenges, why would everyday drivers need more convincing?
Racing Proves the Point
Toyota’s success with hybrid racing tech tells a different story than Hanley’s cautious comments. The GR010 Hybrid combines a twin-turbo V-8 with electric motors, and it’s been competing against brands like Ferrari, Porsche, and Aston Martin. Hanley himself admits that hybrids “definitely have that capability and capacity” for performance. He points to Le Mans and different racing conditions in Japan as evidence. So the technology works. The racing proves it. What’s the holdup?
The Lexus LFR Changes Everything
While Toyota publicly wonders if buyers are ready, Lexus is building a supercar that could make everyone forget about the hesitation. The LFR will pack a twin-turbo hybrid V-8 producing somewhere between 650 and 900 horsepower. Spy photos show prototypes testing at the Nürburgring and on California roads. The car moves silently at first, then the V-8 roars to life after a few meters.
Production could start as early as summer 2025, with deliveries following soon after. Pricing might start around $200,000 in Japan, though Western markets will see higher figures. The LFR will compete directly with the Ferrari 296 GTB, McLaren 750S, and Mercedes-AMG GT 63 E. All of those use hybrid power too.
New Engine, New Possibilities
Toyota is working on a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine called the G20E that could change the game for smaller sports cars. The engine made its debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon in a mid-engine GR Yaris concept. Base output sits at around 400 horsepower, but Toyota engineers say it can easily hit 600 hp with a bigger turbocharger.
This engine seems built for the rumored MR2 and Celica comebacks. Both cars have been spotted in trademark filings and teaser videos. The MR2 would likely use a mid-engine layout with all-wheel drive, while the Celica might bring back the GT-Four name with front-engine AWD. If emissions regulations require it, hybrid versions using the G20E make perfect sense.
The Strategy Behind the Contradiction
Here’s what’s really happening: Toyota is hedging its bets. Hanley says enthusiasts need time to appreciate hybrids, but the company isn’t waiting around. They’re racing hybrids now. They’re building the LFR supercar. They’re developing the G20E engine specifically for high-performance applications that could go hybrid.
Look at how buyers have embraced hybrid technology in cars like the Toyota Camry. Sales of the hybrid version have climbed steadily because the tech delivers better fuel economy without sacrificing reliability. Sports cars are different, sure, but the principle holds: if the performance is there, buyers will come around.
Toyota’s playing a careful game. They’re developing hybrid sports cars behind the scenes while publicly saying the market isn’t quite ready yet. This gives them flexibility. If buyers warm up to hybrids faster than expected, Toyota has the products ready to go. The racing program serves as proof of concept. Every lap the GR010 Hybrid completes at Le Mans shows that hybrid tech can handle punishment.
What You Need to Know
Despite all the talk about needing more time, Toyota is moving fast. The LFR could debut in 2026 or 2027. The MR2 might arrive around 2028. The Celica could come even sooner, possibly as early as 2026. Prototypes are testing on public roads and racetracks. Engines are being refined. Trademark filings are happening.
Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda has been clear about his vision: bring back the “three brothers” of the Supra, Celica, and MR2. The Supra already exists. The other two are coming. And when emissions regulations tighten in markets like Europe, hybrid versions will be ready to go. If you’re in the market for a sports car in the next few years, keep an eye on Toyota’s announcements. The MR2 and Celica revivals could offer something unique: turbocharged power that can hit 400 horsepower or more, with hybrid variants potentially adding another 100-200 hp on top.
Toyota says you need time to appreciate hybrid sports cars. But they’re not giving you much time. The cars are coming whether you’re ready or not.
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