Keen to be the next big name in the endurance game, Toyota had just unveiled their new contender to replace the TS030. The new TS040 Hybrid Le Mans Prototype will be gunning for the podiums not only for the season, but also for the main highlight of the year; the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Compared to the TS030, the new TS040 now has an additional electric motor on the front axle, making it a ‘through-the-road’ all-wheel drive hybrid, similar to the Audi R18 e-tron Quattro and the Porsche 919 Hybrid rivals competing in the LMP1 class.
Instead of using a V6 like the Audi, or even Porsche’s V4, the TS040 is powered by a naturally-aspirated V8 engine that churns out 513-horsepower. Working alongside the electric motor-generators at both axles that add up an extra 473-horsepower, the TS040 has in its disposal a total of 986-horsepower.
The hybrid powertrain has been developed to abide with the revised WEC technical regulations that put a great emphasis on fuel economy. The teams are now being limited by the flow of fuel rather than the output of the powertrain or the efficiency of the aerodynamics. This creates a whole new competition as it gives them a new challenge to tackle with where the one with the most efficient powertrain will be the most competitive.
For the third consecutive year, Toyota will be fielding two cars in the WEC where Alex Wurz, Stephane Sarrazin and Kazuki Nakajima will share car No.7, while Anthony Davidson, Nicolas Lapierre and Sebastien Buemi will be piloting car No.8. The first round for the 2014 season will be the 6 Hours of Silverstone taking place in the U.K. on April 20th.
