Toyota revealed its race car for the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) during pre-season testing at Monza. The team will have three updated TS050 Hybrids competing in all WEC LMP1 races including Le Mans.
The 2017 race car is fitted with a 2.4-litre V6 turbo-charged petrol engine combined with an 8MJ hybrid system. While thermal efficiency is increased by a higher compression ratio via development of the combustion chamber, cylinder block and cylinder head, the Le Mans lap time has deliberately been increased by several seconds due to the latest WEC regulations targeting for safer, i.e. slower racing. This is achieved through reduced aerodynamic efficiency by raising the front splitter by 15mm and having a narrower rear diffuser, while a raised nose and sharp undercut to the sidepods also contributes.
“Toyota GAZOO Racing’s biggest goal for this year, as always, is winning Le Mans, said Racing Hybrid Project Leader Histake Murata. “The team in Higashi-Fuji has worked ceaselessly since Le Mans last year to develop a powertrain which will deliver performance over one lap and over a full race distance, enabling us to compete at the front.” Porsche took the title at Le Mans last year and we shall expect a fiery race off this June.