TOKYO, April 11 — If you prefer your hybrids with a bit more fire in their belly, check out the Toyota TS050. Blink and you’ll miss it, though — the petrol-electric machine has much more power than a Formula One racing car.

Toyota built the TS050 Hybrid for the World Endurance Championship (WEC), a nine-race series that it won in 2014. Porsche claimed last year’s title.

The WEC includes the famed, gruelling 24 Hours of Le Mans in France, with the other races in the series each lasting six hours. The first race starts next weekend at the Silverstone circuit in Britain.

The TS050 pairs a 2.4-litre turbo engine with electric motors for the front and rear wheels. When the driver stomps on the accelerator, the hybrid drive system unleashes up to 1,000hp. Needless to say, Toyota’s drivers are thrilled.

“I like the new powertrain with turbo engine and hybrid system,” said Kamui Kobayashi, the ex-Formula One driver (and podium finisher) who will be driving for the team this year for the first time. “It’s great to drive this car.”

Although the TS050 seems pretty far removed from a Prius, Toyota believes that racing improves its road cars and provides training for engineers. “Our WEC activities are motivated by the development of technology and people,” said Toshio Sato, the team president. “We are already seeing the results of our activities in current road cars.”

But in the WEC, where both speed and low fuel consumption are important, the TS050 Hybrid itself has a clear mission. Having sold more hybrid cars than any other manufacturer, Toyota now aims to reclaim its supremacy on the racing track. — TODAY