Toyota Racing has unveiled the new 2012 Le Mans Toyota TS030 HYBRID challenger which will compete in various international endurance races this year. This is the first time a Toyota hybrid system has been adopted in LMP1 Le Mans racing.
Built by Toyota Motorsport, based in Cologne, Germany, the Toyota TS030 HYBRID will make its debut race at the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, during second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Two cars will also be entered in this year’s 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans, starting June 16.
The new car features a 3.4-litre V8 naturally aspirated petrol engine, matched to Toyota’s THS-R (Toyota Hybrid System – Racing) hybrid electric motors. The system does feature capacitor storage which gathers electric energy from the front axle via an Aisin AW motors, and the rear axle via a DENSO system.
Due to the FIA regulations, a maximum of 500KJ is allowed to be recovered during braking (from the front and rear axle is permitted), while using the stored energy to boost acceleration is only allowed to be directed to two wheels.
The Toyota TS030 HYBRID features a new LMP1 platform wrapped in an aerodynamically engineered carbon fibre body for optimum downforce and air flow. It also features an alumimium six-speed sequential transmission, a viscous mechanical locking rear differential, and carbon ventilated disc brakes front and rear.
We can’t weight to see how Toyota performs this year at Le Mans, especially with the new hybrid. Check the table below for more finer specifications.
