LM24 Toyota plans Le Mans return with hybrid! - Page 2

The Badger · 21 Jan 2008, 21:25 (Ref:2110812)

Just found this at Planetlemans .

Toyota officials say they are confident in taking on the challenge of the Le Mans race, saying that the company aims to win the race at its first renewed attempt.

Wow , thats a big wish !!!

I also feel that they should be compelled to race in a ACO sanctioned series .

Oldtony · 22 Jan 2008, 05:53 (Ref:2111028)

Adam closed the equivalent thread in F1, and that is probably fair enough, but the possibility is that the F1 programe and KERS are very closely linked to this Hybrid F1 suggestion.
Depending on the ACO regs for hybrids a say 2.5ltr V8 running a full KERS regeneration system, probably with batteries rather than capacitor storage could look very attractive for LMP and be a straight spin off from the Toyota F1 development work. Remember we are now talking F1 engines stressed for 2 GP's with a safety margin. I would think a very small drop in rpm and kw levels could produce a 24hr unit. While KERS would give some improvement in fuel consumption that may be the area of most difficulty.
Le Mans by the very nature of the circuit offers plenty of opportunity for regeneration from braking energy, and it's reuse. If Toyota have to develop the technology for their own F1 team plus Williams, why not go the next step and try for the much wanted Le Mans victory?
It all of course depends on how the ACO looks on the potential for Hybrid technology, but the acceptance and encouragement of deisel would indicate the are more technically progressive than F1.

Zytek_Fan · 22 Jan 2008, 05:59 (Ref:2111029)

Are F1 derived engines allowed???

Oldtony · 22 Jan 2008, 06:17 (Ref:2111034)

For a ile they were nearly compulsory.

The Badger · 22 Jan 2008, 07:25 (Ref:2111042)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zytek_Fan

Are F1 derived engines allowed???

Judd !!!

Zytek_Fan · 22 Jan 2008, 07:39 (Ref:2111047)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Badger

Judd !!!

Is it still a modified F1 engine for the design of them?

**FIRE** · 24 Jan 2008, 18:18 (Ref:2112792)

Quote:

Toyota has moved to cool rumours that it's planning to return to the Le Mans 24 Hours with a petrol-electric hybrid prototype in the near future.

...

Toyota's Katsuhiko Koganei told Autosport: "We continue to develop hybrid cars to improve the technology, which will feed back into the marketplace.

"We are investigating taking part in races such as Le Mans, but we have not decided to enter. We don't have any plans for races right now."

Toyota F1 boss John Howett added: "Le Mans is considered unfinished business. There are some divisions within the company that are serious about developing hybrid racing cars."

Source: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/64831

gucom · 24 Jan 2008, 23:09 (Ref:2112988)

Hmmm I prefer what this John Howett has to say...

cptkablamo · 25 Jan 2008, 02:04 (Ref:2113084)

The headline and the article don't really match do they...I guess one hand said no and the other hand said, wait, not so fast there...

veeten · 25 Jan 2008, 02:27 (Ref:2113092)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Badger

Judd !!!

Ashley!!

Hugewally · 25 Jan 2008, 03:32 (Ref:2113108)

Rain at Indy!!!

chewymonster · 25 Jan 2008, 06:46 (Ref:2113151)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zytek_Fan

Anyone remember the ill-fated Chrysler Patriot?
http://www.allpar.com/model/patriot.html

What a weird idea for a powerplant.

Oldtony · 25 Jan 2008, 10:58 (Ref:2113265)

The sort of internal communication disclosed in that press article might be the reason that Toyota's race division is always in catch up mode.

isynge · 25 Jan 2008, 13:46 (Ref:2113359)

It might just be good natured cynicism but a lot of what John Howett was putting across in the Autosport story smacked a lot of a football manager having the full confidence of the board and chairman...

I must also question any statement that asserts that there's 130% commitment to anything.

To my eyes a lot of Toyota's commitment to F1 has to be in question - Le Mans is still, as they say, unfinished business, and it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if, while the existing F1 outfit is left to muddle as it seem to have done, there's a serious contingency study about going sportscar racing.

veeten · 25 Jan 2008, 15:28 (Ref:2113412)

apply the method presently used by Honda (Acura), involving their North American operations through HPD to do their program.

After all, if they want to do Le Mans, Sebring is the first major step.

Graham Goodwin · 25 Jan 2008, 15:58 (Ref:2113425)

You should also take into account that the primary direction of questioning in the Autosport Toyota interview was around scepticism that Toyota would continue for much longer in F1 - Those circumstances aren't exactly conducive to an response that implies the company's priorities are divided

Oldtony · 25 Jan 2008, 20:44 (Ref:2113616)

Logicaly you would think Cologne should build LMS cars, and Williams the F1 cars, sharing KERS/Hybrid technology.
But whenever was there any logic in this sport?

Mal · 26 Jan 2008, 06:21 (Ref:2113790)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldtony

Logicaly you would think Cologne should build LMS cars, and Williams the F1 cars, sharing KERS/Hybrid technology.
But whenever was there any logic in this sport?

Yes that would make the most sense especially as Williams seem to consistantly build a more effective F1 car than Toyota. They may also increase any investment in Williams and run them in Toyota colours.

Oldtony · 26 Jan 2008, 06:39 (Ref:2113794)

But then Toyota would be banned like ProDrive for running a customer car!!
Sorry, forgot, SFW would be unlikely to veto that would he?
Ah! What a bag of worms the Concorde has created.
Now we should really return to the topic.

Zytek_Fan · 26 Jan 2008, 07:12 (Ref:2113798)

Quote:

Originally Posted by isynge

It might just be good natured cynicism but a lot of what John Howett was putting across in the Autosport story smacked a lot of a football manager having the full confidence of the board and chairman...

I must also question any statement that asserts that there's 130% commitment to anything.

To my eyes a lot of Toyota's commitment to F1 has to be in question - Le Mans is still, as they say, unfinished business, and it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if, while the existing F1 outfit is left to muddle as it seem to have done, there's a serious contingency study about going sportscar racing.

Toyota's F1 effort can be called halfassed. Mike Gascoyne "left" the team because he had a dispute over how the team was managed with Toyota F1 president. Of course Mr President didn't like to have his methods questioned...

I have a feeling that if Toyota had listened to Mike, they would have some wins in the bag by now...

TWK · 28 Jan 2008, 04:02 (Ref:2115216)

Most expensive half ass in the world at $400 million per year. Of course the whole premise of this thread...the Toyota Le Mans thing was BS... as Shakespeare said, "Much ado about nothing."

Zytek_Fan · 28 Jan 2008, 07:07 (Ref:2115267)

Toyota seems to think throwing money at it will get wins... *shakes head*

The Badger · 28 Jan 2008, 07:32 (Ref:2115281)

Well , it worked for Ferrari !!!

But yeah ..... Toyota should pull the plug after so long with no results , imo .

Zytek_Fan · 29 Jan 2008, 00:38 (Ref:2115941)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Badger

Well , it worked for Ferrari !!!

But yeah ..... Toyota should pull the plug after so long with no results , imo .

Well, Ferrari has been in the business for ages.

And Toyota joined the ranks in 2002, but they didn't do the smart thing and buyout an existing team, they built their own stuff from the beginning.

If they would have done what BMW did in late 2005, then Toyota probably would have wins by now

Mal · 29 Jan 2008, 05:37 (Ref:2116024)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Badger

Well , it worked for Ferrari !!!

But yeah ..... Toyota should pull the plug after so long with no results , imo .

Yes but Ferrari spent their money wisely - on Messrs Byrne, Brawn, Todt and Schumacher - and then let them get on with it.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Lotus to return to Le Mans racing?	Mal	ACO Regulated Series	27	29 Oct 2009 01:06
First hybrid engine at Le Mans?	Tom908V12	24 Heures du Mans	28	12 Jun 2008 13:55
[LM24] Hybrid/Wind Turbine powered Dallara for Le Mans?	RacingManiac	24 Heures du Mans	9	9 Apr 2004 15:36
[LM24] When do you think Porsche will return to Le Mans?	H16	24 Heures du Mans	3	14 Nov 2001 10:38