Hybrid car wins race

Toyota’s Supra HV-R hybrid race car became the first hybrid car to win in a competition at the Tokashi 24-Hour Race.

Last year, Toyota was the first car manufacturer to enter a hybrid vehicle, the Lexus GS450h, into the Tokashi race, which finished 17th. Using the data gained from this race, Toyota was able to develop a new, special racing unit, which eventually resulted in the more successful Supra. The Supra was based on the Supra GT used in Super GT races in Japan.

By entering hybrid systems into racing events, the engineers hoped to find ways to make hybrid system, such as those in the Toyota Prius production car, lighter and more efficient.

The Supra’s energy regeneration and operating efficiency was said to be improved by three electric motors and a specially designed capacitor.

A four-wheel energy regeneration and drive system with in-wheel motors in the front wheels in addition to one 150kW rear-axle mounted electric motor. According to Toyota, this allowed the car to more efficiently recover a larger amount of energy during rapid deceleration and braking from high speeds. This was aided by a quick-charging capacitor system that was installed instead of rechargeable batteries.