Like a full-size remote-control toy buggy, the wacky Motor Triathlon Race Car (MTRC) is Toyota's response to future customer demands (and you thought everyone wanted more cup holders and a pie warmer...).
The tandem two-seater combines off-road ability, sports car performance and motor sport derived high technology.
The MTRC was designed and built at Toyota's European design studio, ED2
. It is propelled by four in-wheel electric motors powered by a Toyota fuel cell stack, enabling the stylists much more freedom when designing the shape of the car than a conventional internal combustion engine and four-wheel drive transmission would allow.
MTRC has been conceived from the outset to compete in three different environments, as if in an automotive triathlon: off-road, race track and city street circuits. That combination of tracks might seem unusual, but it is common place to the millions who play car racing computer games.
No surprise then that the MTRC will be available to ‘drive‘ in the upcoming Gran Turismo 4
, the latest version of the popular video game. Visitors to the Toyota stand at the Geneva Motor Show (4 – 14 March) will have a chance to try a preview of the game featuring the MTRC.