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  Toyota TS010      

  Article Image gallery (26) Chassis (2) Specifications User Comments (1) Video (1)  
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Country of origin:Japan
Produced from:1991 - 1993
Numbers built:9
Designed by:Tony Southgate for Toyota
Successor:Toyota GT-One
Author:Wouter Melissen
Last updated:October 02, 2013
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Click here to download printer friendly versionAs one of the very few manufacturers Toyota was active in Group C from the beginning in 1982 all the way to the end in 1993. For the most part the Japanese team struggled to be competitive, but in the end their persistence paid off. Helped by a drastic rule change, Toyota finally bridged the gap with the competition. The new regulations were based around the 3.5 litre displacement limit also used in Formula 1 and created by the FIA to lure some of the major manufacturers from the hugely popular sports car racing to F1. In 1990 and 1991 the 3.5 litre cars were run side by side with the existing Group C cars, but from 1992 onwards only new cars were allowed to race. As one of the last manufacturers Toyota jumped ship and introduced their 3.5 litre Group C car, the TS010, during the last race of the 1991 season.

Toyota broke with tradition by employing a non-Japanese designer to pen the TS010. Having previously developed the Le Mans winning Jaguars, Tony Southgate was the ideal candidate to bring the Japanese manufacturer closer to the top. He was faced with an easier task than the engine designers as the chassis and aero regulations had not been modified much. Most importantly this meant that 'ground effects' was still completely legal. Inspired by the TS010's elegant predecessors, Southgate came up with a simple but effective shape. The new body panels covered a state of the art carbon fibre monocoque, suspended by double wishbones all around.

For the company's engine designers the TS010 meant a fresh start as the existing twin-Turbo V8 engine was no longer eligible. Perhaps inspired by the Renault and Ferrari F1 engines of the day they drafted up a V10 engine with a five valves per cylinder head. The new engine was constructed from aluminium alloys and had a V-angle of 72-degrees. At full pelt, it produced well over 700 bhp, but for reliability reasons the performance was pegged back to around 600 bhp for long distance races. Mated to a six speed gearbox, the engine was bolted to the monocoque, although not as a fully stressed member. The completed machine weighed in at 750 kg; the minimum weight dictated by the regulations.

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  Article Image gallery (26) Chassis (2) Specifications User Comments (1) Video (1)