Autoblog

Toyota TS030 Hybrid makes successful Le Mans debut during test day

Drew Phillips — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota, Racing

The Toyota TS030 Hybrid made its Le Mans debut this past weekend during the event's single day test session on Sunday, marking the first time a Toyota prototype has run at Cirque De La Sarthe since the GT-One, codenamed TS020, competed at the 24 hour race in '98 and '99.

It was no surprise that Audi ran the fastest times during the two practice sessions - the pair of Audi R18 E-Tron Quattros nabbed the top spots - but there is little doubt that Toyota considers their results to be positive. After all, success in racing, particularly for a brand-new car at Le Mans, can be defined in a variety of ways. The quickest TS030 Hybrid ran just a little over a second behind the top Audi (3:27.204 vs 3:25.927), a time that is more than competitive.

"We are continuously adjusting and improving the system, so each test day brings a step forward and that was true again today," said Hisatake Murata, the team's project leader.

You can see the Toyota TS030 Hybrid in action at Le Mans in the gallery above, or scroll down below to read the official announcement from Toyota Motorsport GmbH.

Continue reading Toyota TS030 Hybrid makes successful Le Mans debut during test day

Toyota TS030 Hybrid makes successful Le Mans debut during test day originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jun 2012 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota TS030 and Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro pose for the camera

Drew Phillips — Fri, 04 May 2012 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Audi, Toyota, Racing

While the Toyota TS030 Hybrid won't be participating in this weekend's FIA World Endurance Championship race at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium due to a crash in pre-season testing last month, that didn't stop the automaker from bringing the new endurance racer as a preview for what's to come for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. The TS030 even made time for a quick photoshoot at the infamous Eau Rouge alongside the new Audi R18 e-tron Quattro, which happens to be making its race debut this weekend.

While both the Audi and Toyota employ hybrid powertrains, a first for endurance prototypes, each go about it in very different ways. The TS030 makes use of a naturally aspirated 3.4-liter V8 while the R18 e-tron Quattro uses a turbocharged diesel V6. Audi's hybrid system powers the front wheels, hence the Quattro name, while Toyota has yet to announce whether it's system will drive the front or rear wheels.

The closed cockpit racers make for quite an attractive couple, and we hope it's a pairing that will form a lasting rivalry in the coming years.

Toyota TS030 and Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro pose for the camera originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 May 2012 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota snags Davidson, Buemi to drive TS030 at Le Mans

Noah Joseph — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:05:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Toyota

F1 drivers typically have a shelf life shorter than what you otherwise might call a career. As the constant stream of new, young drivers usurps existing F1 seats, you're left with a wealth of talent available to contest other forms of motorsport. That's how you end up with former grand prix pilots in other series like IndyCar, DTM and even ice racing. Then there's Le Mans.

Every year the most famous of endurance races packs its grid with rejects from the Formula One circus, and 2012 is no exception, particularly with Toyota launching a works effort out of the German facility that used to house its F1 team. Toyota has already confirmed that the first of its TS030 Hybrid LMP1 racers will be driven by former F1 drivers Alex Wurz and Kazuki Nakajima (along with Nicolas Lapierre), and has now announced that Anthony Davidson and Sebastien Buemi are on the roster for the second car.

Davidson is an established F1 test driver, having worked for the team known successively as BAR, Honda, Brawn and Mercedes. He's also driven a handful of grands prix for Super Aguri and Minardi, and contested Le Mans and related series for Aston Martin Racing and Peugeot Sport, including a win at Sebring.

Buemi drove the last three F1 seasons for Scuderia Toro Rosso until being cut this year. He'll combine his endurance racing debut with his test driver role at Red Bull Racing.

They'll be joined by Hiroaki Ishiura, who has driven for Toyota teams in Super GT and the Nürburgring 24 before helping roll out the new TS030. We'll be watching to see how they do against the returning champions at Audi, but for now you can follow the jump to dive into the full press release and check out the updated image gallery above.

Continue reading Toyota snags Davidson, Buemi to drive TS030 at Le Mans

Toyota snags Davidson, Buemi to drive TS030 at Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota upgrades limited TS030 Hybrid racing program to full WEC entry

Noah Joseph — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota, Racing

When Toyota announced its return to endurance sports car racing with the new TS030 Hybrid this season, the plan was to enter a handful of races, like Le Mans and Spa-Francorchamps, on an invitational basis.

Plans change, though, and Toyota has now upgraded the program to a full manufacturer entry, paving the way for it to compete in the entire FIA World Endurance Championship schedule. Now, with budget constraints, it's likely that Toyota will still pick and choose which races to contest, but it does open the door.

The change was apparently made in order to support endurance racing as a motorsport discipline. As part of its arrangement with the FIA, organizers at the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) need at least two manufacturers in the LMP1 category. With Peugeot's withdrawal, the series lacked the requisite level of participation, so Toyota stepped up to fill the void. Follow the jump for the full announcement.

Continue reading Toyota upgrades limited TS030 Hybrid racing program to full WEC entry

Toyota upgrades limited TS030 Hybrid racing program to full WEC entry originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota reveals TS030 Hybrid endurance prototype [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Toyota, Racing

The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away. So, apparently, do the world's automakers. At least, that is, when it comes to Le Mans. Case in point: the new Toyota TS030 Hybrid, the Le Mans prototype that the Japanese automaker has just revealed, mere days after Peugeot announced its departure from the endurance racing scene.

Shorthand for the third Toyota Sport prototype - following the TS010 and TS020 that challenged Le Mans in the '90s - the TS030 is the first LMP1 to employ a hybrid drivetrain. (Peugeot was experimenting with a similar system before shutting down its program, and Audi is rumored to be testing one as well, but has yet to announce it to the public.)

Toyota Hybrid System - Racing (THS-R) couples a 3.4-liter V8 to one of two potential electric motor setups: a front-mounted system developed by Aisin AW or a rear-mounted one from Denso. According to regulations, the electric boost can only drive one set of wheels, and Toyota has yet to decide which, although the 500kJ capacitor supplied by Nisshinbo is already a lock.

The carbon fiber chassis, meanwhile, was developed in-house by Toyota Motorsport GmbH in Cologne, Germany - the same outfit that ran the company's F1 team and has been looking for a new project ever since. The facility will serve as the team's headquarters as well, from which it will field one car in its debut at the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps - the second round of the inaugural FIA World Endurance Championship - on May 5. Toyota is planning to field a second car at Le Mans in June, but while the first car's driver roster is already confirmed, the team has yet to decide on its second line-up.

Follow the jump for the full press release and spec sheet, and check out the first batch of official images in the high-res gallery above.

Continue reading Toyota reveals TS030 Hybrid endurance prototype [w/video]

Toyota reveals TS030 Hybrid endurance prototype [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments