Toyota has played down the idea of a production hybrid GT86 sports car, suggesting that such a model would not “speak to the majority”.

Toyota engineers have previously spoken about having the performance hybrid technology at an advanced stage, but it appears that the firm is struggling to find a business case for it in the GT86. Toyota marketing director Fabio Capano said: "We can create a product with this technology, but it needs to make proper business sense. We have to prioritise."

Capano cited the small market for such a car and the costs involved as the key reasons for focusing the brand’s efforts elsewhere.

However, Toyota is co-developing a larger sports car with BMW, and it’s believed that this will have an advanced Le Mans-derived hybrid drivetrain using super-capacitors for extra boost.