Le Mans 2012: Toyota unveils hybrid racer

January 27,2012

Toyota is flexing its hybrid muscles. First, in a small way, with the B-segment Prius C hybrid, already on sale in the Philippines. Next, Toyota is taking on endurance racing, where it will clash with Audi and probably Porsche, using its own hybrid racing car.

The new Toyota team will make its race debut May 5 at the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Then there’s the Le Mans 24 Hours on June 16-17. The TS030 will be powered by a 3.4-liter V8 normally-aspirated gasoline engine, paired with a hybrid system using capacitor storage. The car will have electric motors on both the front and rear axles: the front motors are by Aisin and the rear by Denso. The car recovers energy under braking and can take off in electric mode, potentially saving a lot of fuel that could tip the odds in their favor.

Drivers include erstwhile F1 pilot Alex Wurz, who said, “It was cool to drive the TS030 HYBRID car for the first time. Just leaving the garage on the electric power is very futuristic, then when you let the clutch go and the internal combustion engine kicks in it is like an old friend has returned!”

Toyota attained a podium at Le Mans in the 1990s with its highly-publicized Le Mans efforts. However, outright victory in the event eluded the Japanese team. This is something that Toyota may very well change this year.

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