Toyota Wins First Race With Hybrid Toyota Supra

A specially modified hybrid Toyota Supra has won the Tokashi 24-Hour Race.

It is the first time ever that a Hybrid racing car has won a competition.

The Supra's success follows an entry last year when Toyota was the first car manufacturer to enter a hybrid vehicle - the Lexus GS450h - into the Tokashi 24-Hour race which finished 17th overall.

By entering hybrid systems into racing events, Toyota engineers hope to discover ways to make hybrid systems, most famously fitted to the Toyota Prius production car, more efficient and lighter.

Toyota used the data gained from last year's race in order to develop a new, special racing unit to the limits of hybrid performance.

The racing car was modified and equipped with a special racing hybrid system.

In order to improve the car's operating efficiency during the race, a four-wheel energy regeneration and drive system has been adopted which includes in-wheel motors.

This allows the vehicle to more efficiently recover a greater amount of energy during rapid deceleration and braking from high speeds.