In the early 2000s, the venerable Prius became a cultural symbol for many people who were not typical car enthusiasts. Its quirky design and ability to sip fuel garnered the attention of the environmentally conscious as well as politically minded detractors who saw it and a wave of other hybrid vehicles as virtue-signaling fashion accessories.

According to the report, GR, which stands for Gazoo Racing, Toyota's official motorsports arm and performance sub-brand, is developing a hybrid powertrain that uses a n ewly developed 2.0-liter turbo-4 as its gas component. The move will enable Toyota to meet stricter emissions regulations in both road car and motorsports applications.

Toyota's turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that is currently under development has been designed with electrification in mind