The never ending Toyota return to Le Mans (LMP1) Saga

[TF110]

No, just on a german forum, http://euro.lexusownersclub.com/foru...2&#entry407012

[rich07]

Originally Posted by TF110

No, just on a german forum, http://euro.lexusownersclub.com/foru...2&#entry407012

Seems to be at some kind of open day. Wondering if Toyota are teasing us or built the LFA mule and then decided it wasnt worth following through with a programme.

[chernaudi]

If it was Super GT, the car would have more radical aero, and, presumably, Bridgestone tires.

This car looks like a gutted out LF-A for track days/serious road racing (with emphasis on the latter), and is on Michelin tires.

Such changes distinglish the Nissan GT-R Super GT car and the FIA GT1 car and presumably, the GT3 car.

This is obviously a GT car of some type excluding a GT500 car.

[Rodger Davies]

ooooh, that looked interesting and now it's been removed.

Question is, did anyone save the picture in time?

[TF110]

I have them, some information about the LFA's engine was shown, V10 72degrees 475hp 4996cc displacement. Obviously this is gte spec. I'll post pictures later.

[FIRE]

[TF110]

note the 'sticker' at the bottom left side of the picture for the LFA. Showing the engine type V10 72degrees, 4996cc, x50 NM and 475hp. Can anyone make out more from the picture? Perhaps a name next to the Japanese flag near the refueling cap?

[Speed-King]

Two things I've noticed: The TMG stickers on the car tell us that this baby has most probably been built in Cologne. And that tube on the roof is - as far as GT-cars go - only seen in test mules and prototypes not in actual race cars.

[TF110]

This picture was taken at the cologne facilities in whats being called an employees day. This is most likely the car that was said to be testing in valencia.

[JAG]

Where photo's allowed, or have TMG moved on from this project?

[TF110]

The thread it was on has been taken down. I assume it's because they don't want the photo leaked? I can't see why they'd take it down if it was a forgotten project. I'm guessing here, but there's been little word on this project, maybe still going on. The LFA next to it seems to be a prototype they've had (white mirrors) for the road car. This to me seems likely to be a test vehicle for an upcoming race car for GTE judging by the claimed power.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by rich07

Wondering if Toyota are teasing us or built the LFA mule and then decided it wasnt worth following through with a programme.

Don't know, but either way it looks good!

[Pandamasque]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Two things I've noticed: The TMG stickers on the car tell us that this baby has most probably been built in Cologne. And that tube on the roof is - as far as GT-cars go - only seen in test mules and prototypes not in actual race cars.

That's a pitot-tube used for aero testing. (Some) race cars have them too. Both 908 and R18 sported those at Le Mans in front of the windshield.

[Matador]

Originally Posted by MatadorRacing_F1

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I feel like a bit of a tard... I'd like to take this pic down, where is the edit button? I can see it on this post, but not the one with the pic. Mods? Help?

[TF110]

I'll ask the mods to take the picture down, other forums have been asked to do the same. If anyone wants the link I will give to them in PM. On a side note, this must be good news if Toyota aren't ready to reveal this yet.

[Audi Racer]

bahahahahahaha......they leaked the hybrid GTE car(thats what i think)

and i saved the photo

that looks like a gte car..

seems like their ready to run it next year and in 2013 before introducing a petrol p1 in 2014 when they should theoretically be able to win overall vs a diesel..


How sneaky of them....Distracting us with rumours of the P1 project....

[TF110]

Hybrid? How did you come to that conclusion?

[Audi Racer]

Originally Posted by TF110

Hybrid? How did you come to that conclusion?

It's Toyota....what logical reason could they have, as the company we have known them to be, to not race a hybrid. maybe they'll run unclassified to test the hybrid system? Thats basically what Porsche did with the 911 hybrid.


considering that supposedly the owners of the picture where "asked/forced" to take the photo down its a pretty high profile leak.....You and me and the world were both thinking of a Toyota LMP1 effort....If thehy had beeen able to keep the secret it would have been quite the surprise to the GTE field..they could run in WEC next year...that car looks race ready.

[JAG]

If you look a few pages back it's already been reported TMG/Dome are developing a P1 hybrid, a car that's already been inspected by the ACO, additionally there is a customer GTE program.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110617/ALMS/110619866

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110620/ALMS/110629992

[TF110]

What JAG said. The LFA isn't a hybrid on the road, no way it'll be one on the track. Their LMP effort is the more likely candidate for that.

[joeb]

With Toyota recently testing an electric Radical at the Nürburgring Nordschleife should this be taken as a test of parts for an LMP1?

[NelisB]

Originally Posted by joeb

With Toyota recently testing an electric Radical at the Nürburgring Nordschleife should this be taken as a test of parts for an LMP1?

Unlikely, this was not a hybrid but an all out electric car with batteries.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by joeb

With Toyota recently testing an electric Radical at the Nürburgring Nordschleife should this be taken as a test of parts for an LMP1?

Originally Posted by NelisB

Unlikely, this was not a hybrid but an all out electric car with batteries.

It could very well be!
2014 rules will be free so you can drive any drivetrain you want, but only use a certain amount of energy.

But the Radical is probably not built for more than 4-5 Nürburgring laps, so a long way to 24hours on La Sarthe.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by CTD

It could very well be!
2014 rules will be free so you can drive any drivetrain you want, but only use a certain amount of energy.

But the Radical is probably not built for more than 4-5 Nürburgring laps, so a long way to 24hours on La Sarthe.

Exactly. And battery technology or any number of other components could find their way into an LMP, whether hybrid or pure electric.

[TF110]

Also, their LFA just set a lap time of less than 7:14, if this is any indication of what they're capable of- their race car in GTE could be a real threat as well as electric technology for an LMP project.