Toyota Supra HV-R Becomes The First Hybrid Car To Win A Motor Race

Toyota made history last weekend by winning the Tokaichi 24-Hour endurance race with the Supra HV-R hybrid race car. According to the Japanese car maker, it’s the first time ever that a Hybrid race car has won a competition. Based on the Supra GT race car, the modified HR-V is powered by a 480 PS strong 4.5-liter V8 engine combined with three electric motors: two 10 kW in-wheel motors in the front wheels and one, 150 kW rear-axle mounted, electric motor.

The Supra HR-V’s victory at the endurance race follows an entry last year when Toyota was the first car manufacturer to enter a hybrid vehicle at the Tokaichi 24-Hour endurance race which took place at the International Speedway in Hokkaido. The race car, a Lexus 450h outperformed many of its traditional petrol rivals managing to finish 17th in a field of 33 at the conclusion of the two day international event.-More images after the jump