More from Author Melissa Galbraith here: https://globelivemedia.com/author/melissa-galbraith/
This Friday is not just any day for the World Endurance. Toyota has unveiled to the world the GR010 HYBRID Le Mans Hypercar, the new version of its prototype adapted to the new championship regulations that it has been developing during the last 18 months at Cologne wind tunnel (Germany) together with different Hybrid Electric Powertrain Experts from Higashi-Fuji, Japan).
A four-wheel drive car, 162 kilograms heavier, 250 millimeters longer, 100 millimeters wider and 100 millimeters taller, whose ultimate goal is to continue dominating the competition with an iron fist, which will be powered by a powerful 3.5-liter V6 biturbo engine which will provide up to 680 horses to the rear wheels, while a innovative hybrid system of AISIN AW and DENSO will supply other 272 horses at the front wheels.
However, the total power of the Japanese machine will not exceed 680 horses so as not to infringe the regulations, so it is to be expected that the combustion engine, except for a reliability problem in the electrical part, will never operate at its maximum speed and that lap times at the 24 Hours of Le Mans are around 10 seconds slower.
“The new Le Mans Hypercar regulations mean that the GR010 HYBRID is a completely new car, designed with a different philosophy. For example, our car will now have a specification for each circuit, so we needed to provide a wider working window. We look forward to welcoming new competitors and being part of an exciting future for racing. resistance with our GR010 HYBRID “, says Pascal Vasselon, Technical Director.
“It has been a tremendous effort from the team at Higashi-Fuji and Cologne, as well as from our suppliers and partners, to develop and produce this new car, despite difficult global circumstances, and we are all eager to show it to the world. During our nine years at WEC we have accomplished a lot, but we are not complacent. We always challenge ourselves to improve our technology, “says Rob Leupen, Team Principal.
At the moment, Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, José María López, Sébastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Brendon Hartley have already started a intense GR010 HYBRID development program with two three-day tests already completed waiting to officially debut on the track on March 19 at 1000 Millas de Sebring. If the coronavirus pandemic allows it.