Friday 14th October 2011

Toyota Unveils 2012 Hybrid Le Mans Plans

Back to La Sarthe for ToMoCo - and this time it's serious

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Toyota is to return to Le Mans in 2012 with an LMP1-spec petrol-electric hybrid.

The engine for the new car is being developed at Toyota's HQ in Japan, while the chassis work is underway at Toyota Motorsport in Germany.

Toyota of course, has unfinished business at Le Mans after it set a lap record, but never managed to grab a win, with the GT-One in the late 90s.

And Toyota seems to be serious about getting to the top step of the podium this time. Word is that the programme has been going since 2010, and ToMoCo has big ambitions for its new car.

"We want to write a new chapter in the history of the Le Mans 24 Hours, as in the FIA World Endurance Championship, through our use of hybrid technology," says Tadashi Yamashina, Toyota Motor Corporation Senior Managing Officer and Toyota Motorsport Chairman.

Brave words, chaps, and we applaud your chutzpah. But will they be the ones to break diesel's stranglehold at La Sarthe?

 

[Stig]

Not before time too!

[nelly_h]

Very good news. Not a bad looking car if it comes out like that either.

[PaulMoor]

Looks like an update of the GT one (not that that is a bad thing).

[Lexx]

Always pleasing to see the manufacturers moving back into motorsport.

Now if only we can convince them all to enter works teams in the BTCC again...

[Melvin Udall]

To be honest, I enjoy the different tech coming into Lm. The diesels were incredibly interesting to me, and to see a petrol hybrid, it will be interesting to see what it can do! Interesting time, in my opinion.

[marcosgt]

There's been talk about a Japanese revival (Nissan and Mazda are rumoured to be returning as factory teams too), so it's good to see some of its true, at least.

Doesn't really look like an updated GT-ONE any more than the Peugeot LMP does (which is a bit, I agree), it's just the rules mean all the LMP coupes (and Group C cars before that - The LMP one was quite similar to the TS010) look pretty much the same.

I wonder what it will sound like?

M

[suffolk009]

that isn't an actual car though is it?

[Melvin Udall]

suffolk009 said:

that isn't an actual car though is it?

No. It's a picture.

HTH.

[derboy]

Why not a diesel hybrid??

[Mark-C]

Hurrah - really pleased to see them back (and for the full WEC not just LM) and will be good to see what manufacturer money can do with a petrol engine.

I wonder what drivers they'll be hiring.

[Otispunkmeyer]

good to see ToMoCo getting back into big motorsport (they need to and it needs to influence them to make proper road cars again)

but I predict they will not achieve what they want, as they didnt in F1.... lots of money yes, but they just lack the x-factor that makes other teams like McLaren and RedBull just astoundingly good. Audi, Peugeot, Porsche etc... will still be the daddies.

[robmlufc]

derboy said:

Why not a diesel hybrid??

Because its more relevent to their future road cars and they will get more rule breaks running a hybrid, much like Porsche will be doing.

[thewheelman]

If only Toyota would get back into WRC!

[ArnageWRC]

thewheelman said:

If only Toyota would get back into WRC!

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt!!

Le Mans is very much unfinished business, so it made sense to go to Sportscars/ WEC/

However, it confirms that Sportscars are more attractive/relevant than WRC.....discuss....

[MrQuick]

derboy said:

Why not a diesel hybrid??

Naa, Toyota have been developing a V8 engine since 2010, it fits their brand better anyway, a hybrid petrol engine.
The Lola that ran it in Le Mans was the fastest petrol car so the engine is quite good in endurance application.

Plus it looks sexy.



Toyota at Le Mans in 2012, Porche at Le Mans in 2014, Jaguar thinking about returning too. This is going to be awesome.

[Melvin Udall]

Never expected such a positive thread involving a hybrid on PH!

[AJ-T]

MrQuick said:

Naa, Toyota have been developing a V8 engine since 2010, it fits their brand better anyway, a hybrid petrol engine.
The Lola that ran it in Le Mans was the fastest petrol car so the engine is quite good in endurance application.

Plus it looks sexy.



Toyota at Le Mans in 2012, Porche at Le Mans in 2014, Jaguar thinking about returning too. This is going to be awesome.

That would make a lovely table!!!

[Munter]

Melvin Udall said:

Never expected such a positive thread involving a hybrid on PH!

Used for the correct porpoise I'm all behind it. Why not use waste energy to create more power...

[The Leaper]

Been to Le Mans since 1996 and remember the GT 1 very fondly...best car never to have won in my view. Great to see them going back and I hope they achieve their objectives this time.

R.

[ewenm]

Melvin Udall said:

Never expected such a positive thread involving a hybrid on PH!

F1 is hybrid-racing and no-one complains about that either.