Toyota in late 2021 introduced plans to launch 30 electrical autos throughout the Toyota and Lexus manufacturers by 2030, together with sports activities automobiles.

A idea for an LFA-like supercar was proven for Lexus whereas one thing resembling a contemporary MR2 was proven for Toyota.

Toyota has confirmed the Lexus will ship a 0-60 mph time within the low two-second vary and have a handbook transmission. The handbook will not really connect with the powertrain, although. As an alternative it would solely simulate the feeling of shifting gears by adjusting the torque of the electrical powertrain and producing sounds mimicing an engine’s revs constructing and dropping.

Little or no has been mentioned about Toyota’s personal electrical sports activities automotive, although Toyota Chairman—and former CEO—Akio Toyoda revealed a number of particulars in an interview with Automotive Information (subscription required) throughout final weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Akio Toyoda

Toyoda mentioned he is personally concerned within the growth of Toyota’s electrical sports activities automotive and confirmed it would have a handbook transmission (full with a clutch pedal) and can generate engine sounds similar to the Lexus. He additionally mentioned anybody driving the automotive “most likely would not have the ability to inform” that it’s an EV, from the driving expertise.

Timing for the Toyota electrical sports activities automotive’s launch wasn’t talked about. Toyoda additionally mentioned that he does not know whether or not the automotive will make it to manufacturing.

Although sports activities automobiles do not promote in excessive volumes, Toyoda sees their growth as an essential step of enhancing extra mainstream fashions. When discussing the explanations for creating the LFA a decade in the past, Toyoda likened sports activities automotive growth to the Japanese ceremony generally known as Shikinen Sengu. This ceremony entails relocating a serious shrine from east to west, or west to east, as soon as each 20 years. In doing so, abilities and methods, together with the sourcing of supplies for constructing the shrine, are handed on, he mentioned. Within the case of the LFA, new technological breakthroughs had been additionally developed, significantly within the space of supplies, and this has since been included into different autos.