Want To Expand The Line Of Environmentally Friendly Vehicles, Toyota GR86 Will Become A Hybrid Model?

Toyota GR86 (source: Toyota)

JAKARTA - Recently, Toyota has often launched the latest vehicles embedded with hybrid technology. Starting from Alphard, Grand Higlander, Innova, to the latest Land Cruiser. Chances are, the manufacturer will present hybrid versions of the vehicle for existing units.

In order to expand the electrification segment by presenting a line of hybrid models, Toyota intends to present other electric sports cars. It is reported that the car will replace the GR86 model.

It is reported that the latest model may be presented in early 2025 in a hybrid. This car will be redesigned using the latest platform equipped with a three-cylinder turbocharged engine built in from GR Yaris.

Rumors about the presence of a replacement for GR86 are increasingly strengthened with the sports car not meeting the upcoming fuel consumption standards in Japan. Thus, the worst possibility is that GR86 must be eliminated.

Toyota's Chief Technology Officer, Hiroki Nakajima, bravely rejected confirmation about the planning for the GR86 hybrid. However, he agreed that the presence of the sports car in the hybrid system was a good idea.

The hybrid system has always been a good solution for environmentally friendly cars. Not only for passenger cars but also for sports cars," said Nakajima quoted from Autocar, Jum'at, August 4.

Nakajima also said that there are still about 12 years left to launch a hybrid model before sales of ICE-powered cars will be banned in the UK and Europe.

"We can make it at a lower price than the battery-electric model, and we know how to make it fun to drive," said Nakajima.

Apart from many manufacturers who uphold electric-powered vehicles (EVs), Toyota is trying a slightly different thing. The Japanese manufacturer has long said that the hybrid system is superior technology.

This was revealed not without reason. If the car is given a combustion engine accompanied by electric power, it will increase energy efficiency in hybrid vehicles.

However, in the end Toyota also followed market developments. The vehicle manufacturer, founded by Kiichiro Toyoda and Sakki Toyoda, launched an EV unit, bZ4x a year ago.

What's more, Toyota also announced its plans in the use of solid-state batteries. However, the battery will be used in the hybrid model first before being embedded into a pure EV.

Toyota is also in the phase of developing emission-free vehicles. As of 2026, Toyota will offer as many as 10 new electric vehicle models by planning to sell 1.5 million zero-emission cars.

The world's largest automotive brand also affirms its commitment to developing BEV, PHEV, FCEV, HEV, H2, and CN powered vehicles in the future.