TMG Sports 605 concept to debut at Essen Motor Show

While most of us are focusing on the LA Auto Show happening later this week, Toyota Motorsport GmbH is quietly revealing the TMG Sports 650 concept at the Essen Motor Show in Germany. The TMG Sports 650 is a hopped-up, twin-turbocharged V8 version of the normally staid Lexus LS460 sedan.

In the concept, power grows from 386 to an impressive 641 hp at 7,450 rpm, while torque jumps to 564 lb-ft. An eight-speed transmission has three automatic modes and one “manual.” Top speed is claimed to be 199 mph.

Aerodynamics are improved with TMGs bodywork, which is the result of some wind tunnel time. TMG is the same factory that tests the TS030 hybrid endurance car. The Sports 650 weighs in at 4,519 pounds, which places it right in between the rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive LS460, with 40 percent more horsepower. The 0-to-62 mph time is estimated at 3.9 seconds.

At the corners are customized 20-inch wheels and Brembo carbon ceramic brakes. The suspension uses a multilink setup with coil springs and Sachs dampers.

Price hasn’t been confirmed, or even whether it will see some form of production. And normally we’d give Toyota no chance of actually making this car. On the other hand, Lexus and Scion have been putting some sportier cars on the road lately, giving us a glimmer of hope.

“These vehicles [at the Essen Show] perfectly illustrate the diversity of our company and they also highlight the spirit of TMG; high-performance is part of our DNA and we want to share that passion with fans, drivers and racers,” said Yoshiaki Kinowhita, TMG president. “In particular, we are proud to show the TMG Sports 650 super sports car in public for the first time. This is a truly remarkable car with incredible performance; we are looking forward to hearing the reaction of visitors to this showcase of TMG’s engineering capabilities.”

We’ll know more in the second week of December when the Essen Motor Show starts.

The 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show takes place Nov. 28 through Dec. 9. In keeping with the Southern California lifestyle, the LA auto show is usually a showcase for green cars, hybrid vehicles and electric transportation. But sports cars – especially convertibles – also command the spotlight. Check out Autoweek's complete coverage of the Los Angeles Auto Show here.

By Jake Lingeman