Rumor: Toyota to race hybrid in Le Mans

According to AFP, the Japanese newspaper, Yomiuri Shimbun is reporting Toyota plans to bring a hybrid to the Le Mans 24 hour race in France. An unnamed Toyota official told Yomiuri Shimbun, “Audi proved the superiority of the next generation diesel engine at Le Mans. Toyota wants to do the same with the hybrid.” Yomiuri Shimbun also says that to make a hybrid race car, “Toyota has to significantly reduce the vehicle’s weight and increase its efficiency.” Toyota last raced in Le Mans in 1999 and placed second but now hopes a hybrid race car will take them to victory.

By Lascelles.Linton@weblogsinc.com
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According to AFP, the Japanese newspaper, Yomiuri Shimbun is reporting Toyota plans to bring a hybrid to the Le Mans 24 hour race in France. An unnamed Toyota official told Yomiuri Shimbun, “Audi proved the superiority of the next generation diesel engine at Le Mans. Toyota wants to do the same with the hybrid.” Yomiuri Shimbun also says that to make a hybrid race car, “Toyota has to significantly reduce the vehicle’s weight and increase its efficiency.” Toyota last raced in Le Mans in 1999 and placed second but now hopes a hybrid race car will take them to victory.

Update: The original article which also mentions Toyota will use a “special capacitor.”

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[Source: Yomiuri Shimbun via Agence France-Presse (AFP) article]