Toyota in the WTCC? - Page 2

redshoes · 5 Jul 2008, 20:28 (Ref:2244769)

Never mind the rear wing, count the number of door handles on one side. It is a 4-door car, or rather a 5-door hatchback. There isn't a 4-door saloon model of the Auris.

Valker · 5 Jul 2008, 21:17 (Ref:2244783)

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshoes

There isn't a 4-door saloon model of the Auris.

Well... Sedan is still called Corolla, but I have understood it's as close to Auris as last generation sedan and hatchback Corollas were to each other.

**FIRE** · 5 Jul 2008, 21:46 (Ref:2244794)

Anyone more info about the car? Is it developed inhouse?

Ed Peters · 5 Jul 2008, 22:23 (Ref:2244807)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

Anyone more info about the car? Is it developed inhouse?

Our information source says Yes.. they are doing all the development, including wind-tunnel work!

Unfortunatley TouringCarTimes has been unable to talk to anyone at the team!

If you look hard enough the story is posted elsewhere on the internet with confirmation from the team...

Aunt Sally · 5 Jul 2008, 22:27 (Ref:2244808)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Doesn't take from the fact that they are inherently ugly.

Compared to WHAT?

If you look closely the spoiler is too high to be mounted on a boot lid!

So it must be a Hatchbag!

redshoes · 5 Jul 2008, 22:33 (Ref:2244811)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valker

Well... Sedan is still called Corolla

As I said, there is no 4-door Auris

The point is that the car has sufficient doors for S2000. There would no point starting with a 3-door hatch then re-shelling into a 4-door saloon if/when Toyota show an interest. The running gear may be the same but the aero, balance and dynamics of the car would be so different that you would be effectively starting all over again.

thereal_tdb · 6 Jul 2008, 15:43 (Ref:2245535)

My point to THIM was that it has 4 doors. yes, technically it is a 5door hatch, but non local homologation requires 4 passenger doors.

whether people like it or not, i think it looks fantastic and having seen the corrolla perform it has the potential to be an awesome car!
From what i have heard it should be competitive.
good to see an independant taking the initiative with a new model!

Subaru_WRX_STi · 6 Jul 2008, 16:10 (Ref:2245558)

it will be great if they join the WTCC, Seat, BMW, Chevy and mre support from Honda to N-Technology + this Auris, and we will have a great show !

but I really doubt that Toyota will be involved as a factory with this program, they seem planing a come back to LeMans and sports car racing

Subaru_WRX_STi · 6 Jul 2008, 16:12 (Ref:2245563)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Ewwwww, hatchback.

a hatch back of course, but it is a good looking one

redunderthebed · 7 Jul 2008, 12:47 (Ref:2246314)

If this was a full factory-backed entry into the WTCC then i would be excited but this is just another two cars entering the WTCC meh.

That said i hope they are competitive and one day we see a factory-backed toyota team.

THIM · 7 Jul 2008, 19:04 (Ref:2246584)

Yeah, I mean, that it's a hatch, which can be easly switched to 4-door sedan, whatever it's name is (can vary depending on market). But this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshoes

There would no point starting with a 3-door hatch then re-shelling into a 4-door saloon if/when Toyota show an interest. The running gear may be the same but the aero, balance and dynamics of the car would be so different that you would be effectively starting all over again.

...makes diffrence, although I'm not sure, how much truth is here.

redshoes · 7 Jul 2008, 20:03 (Ref:2246637)

You couldn't take a wing mounted high up on a hatchback, bolt it to the boot of a saloon and expect it to work as efficiently. The torsional rigidity of a saloon would be different to a hatchback, so assuming the roll-cage still fitted it may no longer be the best design. The increased length of the car means that the weight distribution will be slightly different. All of these combined may be minor differences and the re-bodied car may be close, but in motorsport close is not good enough.

I'm sure someone will point out that Team Dynamics did something similar when they put the running gear from a Civic into their Integra, but there was still a lot of development work to do after that.

Point is that is you want a 4-door car you build a 4-door car from the start.

THIM · 8 Jul 2008, 15:23 (Ref:2247224)

But suspension (slightly redesigned), engine and gearbox stay the same. Of course, if they planned having a saloon, it would be easier, but in recent situation IMHO it's better to switch to sedan now, when there's still plenty of time for development, than to stay with hatchback. Unless they want to get (weight/flat floor/compression ratio) handicap

snowen250 · 8 Jul 2008, 18:21 (Ref:2247355)

Er guys there is no 4 door saloon Auris? Least not in the UK, and i think Europe? and doesnt the car have to be homogolated in its home nation or summink? Either way its a hatch back, it looks ok, it wont go that well in the WTCC though cos it will be underdeveloped compared to the big boys, however i wish them all the luck in the world and hope they do well.
Simon

THIM · 9 Jul 2008, 21:39 (Ref:2248259)

To be homologated, it must be made in 1000 (not sure) items. Doesn't matter, where they sell it, whether they will either.

Frederich · 9 Jul 2008, 23:58 (Ref:2248334)

Quote:

Originally Posted by THIM

To be homologated, it must be made in 1000 (not sure) items. Doesn't matter, where they sell it, whether they will either.

The number is 2500.

Zamppa · 10 Jul 2008, 06:27 (Ref:2248405)

As far as the homologation goes, Toyota has homologated Run X in South Africa and that is an international homologation. Run X equals Corolla, and Alister McRae took part in Wales Rally GB a few years ago in a Corolla S2000. And AFAIK hatchback Corolla = Auris (as mentioned earlier in this thread).

So the car is homologated with S2000 Rally kit, but I have no idea how hard it would be to homologate an S2000 kit for circuits and whether a national dealer could get an international homologation without factory support.

awrb · 10 Jul 2008, 09:19 (Ref:2248515)

The Auris is the replacement to the Corolla, so the rally version is the old model, which means the team will have to homologate the Auris.

As for the looks, it really is just boring. But then I've never liked Toyota's. Will Toyota see this and the half soaked Honda effort as a chance to get one over on their arch enemies, and maybe back this effort? In which case, could this push Honda into the series? Hope so.

werner · 10 Jul 2008, 17:45 (Ref:2248758)

Well, they are fighting hard already in the F1. It would be a bit like the fans of Real Madrid really hoping for their under-16 team to win from Barcelona -16, when they just had their asses kicked in the primera division.

stedevil · 12 Jul 2008, 23:45 (Ref:2249897)

For the record, there is a Toyota Auris participating in the (S1600) JTCC here in Sweden. Don't know if it's following FIA S1600 regs or local homologation though.