Toyota Launch TF104

[twig]

Presenting the TF104.

http://f1.racing-live.com/photos/200.../diapo_101.jpg

Not a bad looking car - or radical for that matter.
Judging from the pictures, the front doesn't look all that different, but the sidepod looks a tad bit like the R23B near the end of the season.

Have a look at the end of that airbox, it looks as though the actual airbox ends quite early, but from the new regulations where the airbox must continue further along the car, looks as though they have copied Williams' idea of that fin.

Comments?

[Led ZeppF1]

Toyota has launched the TF104 today. It has set to scoring its first podium finish.

http://www.autosport.com/newsitem.asp?id=25777&s=5

Pictures:
http://www.f1total.com/cgi-bin/g2.pl...aes/toyota&tag

[Led ZeppF1]

Ups! Twig also post this topic.

Merged?

[twig]

Looks like it, tell you what - you keep the title of the thread, but i get the first post?

[Led ZeppF1]

Yup, you first.

Please, mod...

[Mark Webber]

Its a good looking car . But 3yrs with the same paint job PLS. how hard is it to come up with something new this goes to the other cars released so far . Though the FW26 is different .

I like the drawings released as well relly shows the difference. I Think poduims are a chance if others fall over but points for sure and I think at most GP's .

TOYOTA WILL BE A DARK HORSE

steady but not exciting . Hmmmmmmm some what like their roadcars

[RWC]

Interesting but not greatly so.
I guess this means that the increased advertising space changes were made to the regulations after all?I'd forgotten all about them

[yobro]

New rear wing desing?

[yobro]

I agree with the 1st post, nothing to radical.

[Damon]

That car fits the dictionary definition of an F1 car better than any other in recent years. How boring!

[Knowlesy]

It's pretty good for a Toyota I think. The rear is certainly interesting.

[DNQ]

BORING. BORING. BORING. BORING. BORING. That's all I can say. I honestly can't think of anything to say.

[Knowlesy]

Why do they continuosly use EXACTLY the same front end year on year? Surely a fresh approach in that area would be welcome?!?

[twig]

Well, its not as though they just forgot about changing the front of the car. Surely they pencilled some new designs, but none were as efficient as the current design.

[kdr]

250 million quid well spent.

[pirenzo]

Well, i think it looks promising. There's no point in going extravagent if it's not fast is there? If boring's the fastest, then boring it will be.

[gttouring]

how is it i missed this thread? I just started one- oh well, some merging i guess

[ASCII Man]

The car doesn't have conventional bargeboards it seems.
http://f1.racing-live.com/photos/200.../diapo_106.jpg

[Korr]

No barge boards!

It looks more like an F2003 GA than an F2003 GA does! I am kidding

Its side pods looks more swollen than those on the old Ferrari.

Intel ad on the rear wing...I hope the car does better than Intel's Itanic line of CPUs.

[Glen]

Not just saying this because ascoine has gone there, but there are some very Renault details - the sidepods look very much like last year's Renault... although not especially small to the front they drop down extremely low at the rear. I think this area has becone increasingy important with the two element rear wing rule - as much clean air flowing through the back of the car as possible to maximise the rear wing.

A very tidy looking car all in all - with a team still learning all the time I do think it is appropriate to be fairly conservative with the concept and put extra effort into the details. They can rely on a good engine too, although it doesn't seem nearly as pushed forward in the car as in the Williams and McLaren designs (judging by the location of the exhausts). The exhausts which are very big, btw, and very prominent.

[Damon]

That's an interesting point about the exhausts actually Glen. Perhaps another ploy to keep as much 'dirty' air away from the rear wing as possible?

[Try Hard]

Something I've noticed (with the no-bargeboard theme), look very closely at the very bottom of the sidepods, on the leading edge. They have williams-esque scythe blades (horizontal turning vanes?) BUT it looks like they are completed connected to the 'pod, with no gap between them, like on the williams.
Almost looks like they have tried to extendend the side pod floor as far forward as possible, with out having long 'pods. Maybe as a means to gain more underbody downforce (long 'pod floor = longer diffuser section)?

heres a link to show what i mean

Toyota sidepods

Regards
Ed

[Try Hard]

actually on second thoughts, having looked at this it looks like it is just a way of controling the airflow into and around the pod better. Note the much thicker section towards the centre of the car, which is directly in front of the entrance.

TF104 sidepod 2

BTW, with regard to the exhausts, it not the exhaust hats big, its the cover which acts as a cooling funnel too.
This shot shows what i mean, although its not brilliant. you can easily see the circular exhaust's inside the funnel.

TF104 exhausts

Anyone else think that thoose exhaust look a bit big though?

Plus theres a nice shot on the site of the engine, never realised that modern F1 engines are THAT small, It's tiny!!!!

TF104 Engine

Regards
Ed

[Sodemo]

Surprising to see Toyota release shots of its 2004 engine, such things are only ever usually done (if at all) after the current season has ended.

[GP Racer]

I just don't have an eye for these things, and Lord knows I'm trying!

Thank goodness for paint schemes, or I'd never be able to tell one from the other! At least I can see the difference in that...