Toyota returns to WRC in 2017
Over the next two years TMG will continue its test program with the
Yaris WRC car to prepare for a full return to the series in which Toyota
won four drivers' and three manufacturers' world championships in the
1990s.
The WRC announcement was made by Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio
Toyoda at a news conference in Tokyo, where the Yaris WRC made its
public debut, complete with new launch livery.
The Yaris WRC has already completed a preliminary test program on tarmac
and gravel stages throughout Europe, establishing a promising baseline
on which to build over the coming months.
The car features a 1.6-litre turbo-charged, direct-injection engine that
produces over 300hp, while advanced simulation, testing and production
techniques have shaped the Yaris chassis.
With an official WRC program now confirmed, development will be expanded
while the dedicated team of specialists assigned to engineer and
operate the car will be increased.
Several young drivers have already tested the car and Frenchman Eric
Camilli, 27, has been selected as the first member of a junior driver
development scheme aimed at developing Toyota rally stars of the future.
Camilli will carry out the development program alongside last year's
Tour de Corse winner Stéphane Sarrazin, also a driver in Toyota's FIA
World Endurance Championship team, and experienced Finn Sebastian
Lindholm.
Experience gained from the test program will assist Toyota as it
prepares a car for the 2017 season when updated technical regulations
are expected to be introduced. The program will include several WRC
venues around Europe on a variety of surfaces.
The Yaris WRC follows an illustrious line of Toyota cars to carry the
brand into WRC. When it makes its competitive debut in 2017, it will
mark more than 17 years since the company's last world championship
rally, in 1999.
The 1999 season marked the end of over 25 years of continuous rally
activity at TMG, which began life as Andersson Motorsport GmbH (named
after company founder Ove Andersson). It competed in the WRC as Toyota
Team Europe.
During that time, 43 wins were achieved with iconic cars like the Celica
Twin-Cam Turbo and GT-Four variants and the Corolla WRC, featuring
legendary drivers such as Carlos Sainz, Juha Kankkunen and Didier
Auriol.
TMG already stepped back into the rally world last year with the
introduction of its GT86 CS-R3 customer rally car, designed to FIA R3
regulations.
Team president Yoshiaki Kinoshita said it was a great honour to bring
the Toyota name back to the WRC alongside continued participation in the
World Endurance Championship.
"To run two works motorsport programs simultaneously is of course a
challenge but we believe we have the expertise and determination to
succeed," Mr Kinoshita said.
"There is much to do as we make the journey back to WRC but to have
received the support of Toyota Motor Corporation and our President Akio
Toyoda is already very encouraging," he said.
"We are looking forward to taking the next steps with an extensive
development plan and a junior driver development program. It is an
exciting time and we are looking forward to this new challenge with
great anticipation."
Yaris WRC Technical Specifications
Chassis:
Powertrain:
Yaris WRC Technical Specifications
Chassis:
| Type | Steel body shell |
| Brakes | 300mm discs on gravel, 355mm on tarmac |
| Wheels | Wheels 7 x 15" gravel, 8 x 18" tarmac |
| Tyres | Michelin |
| Dimensions | Length: 3910mm |
| Width: 1820mm |
Powertrain:
| Engine capacity | 1.6 litres |
| Type | In-line four-cylinder |
| Direct injection | Up to 200bar |
| Fuel | Petrol |
| Turbo pressure | 2.5 bar absolute (maximum) |
| Air restrictor | 33mm |
| Power | Around 300hp (at 6,000rpm) |
| Torque | 420Nm |
| Max revs | 8,500rpm |
| Transmission | Six-speed sequential |
| Clutch | ZF Sachs |
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