<< Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >> No longer occupied with F1, Toyota's Cologne-based motorsport division was tasked to design and construct the new car. Under the leadership of Pascal Vasselon, a conventional carbon-fibre monocoque chassis was developed. Suspension was by double wishbones with push-rod actuated springs and dampers. As was the new norm, the front suspension was designed to accommodate wide tyres, previously only used for the rear wheels. The new V8-engine was mated to a transversely mounted six-speed gearbox. Like its rivals, the new Toyota featured efficient coupe-bodywork.
Known as the 'TS030 Hybrid', the new Toyota was launched early in 2012. At that time, the engineers were assessing two distinct versions of the hybrid system; one with a front-mounted electric motor and the other with the electric motor mounted in unit with the engine. The former offered the advantage of all-wheel drive but a late adjustment to the regulations, reportedly on the insistence of Peugeot, limited the use of the front motor to speeds of over 120 km/h. As a result most of the advantages of driven front wheels were eliminated, so it was decided to use the rear-mounted option.
To help run the program, Toyota called in the services of the French Oreca team, who are constructors in their own right and had also built up considerable experience running a diesel-powered Peugeot in the 2010 and 2011 seasons. Making the most of Peugeot's withdrawal from the sport early in 2012, Toyota recruited drivers Alexander Wurz and Anthony Davidson, who joined Oreca's Nicolas Lapierre, and ex-Formula 1 racers Kazuki Nakajima and Sebastien Buemi. One of Toyota's SuperGT drivers, Hiroaki Ishiura was also slated to drive but he had to step down due to back-problems. His place was taken by another ex-Peugeot man, Stephane Sarrazin.
Originally, Toyota had planned to run the first car in the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps but an accident in testing forced the team to postpone the public debut until the official Le Mans Test Day. By that time, the car sported a heavily revised front-end and a new colour-scheme; gone were the traditional red and white Toyota colours, replaced by a lightning-inspired blue and white livery to emphasise the use of a hybrid drivetrain. Setting the fourth and fifth fastest times, hot on the heels of defending champions Audi, the performance during the first outing was certainly encouraging. << Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >>
Ultimatecarpage.com
> Cars by brand
> Japan
> Toyota
Racing cars
> LMP
No longer occupied with F1, Toyota's Cologne-based motorsport division was tasked to design and construct the new car. Under the leadership of Pascal Vasselon, a conventional carbon-fibre monocoque chassis was developed. Suspension was by double wishbones with push-rod actuated springs and dampers. As was the new norm, the front suspension was designed to accommodate wide tyres, previously only used for the rear wheels. The new V8-engine was mated to a transversely mounted six-speed gearbox. Like its rivals, the new Toyota featured efficient coupe-bodywork.