Toyota is out to prove that hybrids are not boring - not surprising, given the billions it's invested in the technology. It surely wouldn't want to see it wasted on something enthusiastic drivers might approach with the same horror usually reserved for going by bus.

Hybrid technology needs to get sexy and that means it needs to start going a little faster; Toyota's FT-HS ( launched at Detroit 2008) is still a concept car but why shouldn't Japan build a supercar with the very latest technology?