Hybrid Sports Cars From Honda and Toyota?

(MoneyWatch)  In an idea with considerable synergy, Toyota is said to be considering a new version of the popular MR2 sports coupe with a version of the Prius' drivetrain under the skin.

As first reported in the UK-based Auto Express, the Prius-on-steroids will have rear-wheel drive, paddle shifters, a seven-second zero-to-60 time and 50 mpg. And it will be priced under $30,000.

Toyota is no doubt taking note of two things: 1) The current slump in hybrid sales; and 2) the relative popularity of the much-more-expensive Tesla Roadster. People don't want their hybrids to be boring, and it sounds like this Toyota would be neither one. A fast hybrid sports car could generate excitement and cover stories in the bestselling car magazines.

At the Geneva Motor Show, Toyota executive vice president Masatami Takimoto told Auto Express, "We--are developing a small hybrid sports car. We have set a tough price point, as it will be easier to sell if it is affordable. It has to be fun to drive, too, which means the hybrid set-up must be different to the Prius's, with greater responsiveness."

A U.S.-based Toyota spokesman at first dismissed the idea of a Prius-based sportster, but then retracted that when he heard that Takimoto had been quoted in Geneva. "Its news to us," he said. He later called back to say that Mr. Takimoto's interview also included this important caveat: "But we haven't decided yet if we would commercialize that kind of product."

What Takimoto appears to be saying is that Toyota is trying to take the "do we have to?" factor out of the hybrid equation. Honda has much the same idea with its CR-Z, which made its North American debut in Detroit earlier this year and may have inspired Toyota's talk of a new hybrid MR2.

The CR-Z, which may cost more than the theoretical MR-2, also has a hybrid drivetrain and is "wrapped up in a lightweight, fun-to-drive package." The CR-Z is headed for production first in Europe, either late this year or early next.