The 3.5-liter internal combustion engine in the rear of the Toyota GR010 Hybrid is significantly larger in motion than the previous TS050 LMP1 car.
This increase from the previous 2.4 liters of the V6 introduced by the TS050 Hybrid in 2016 reflects changes in WEC technical regulations with the advent of the LMH class for the upcoming season.
These set a maximum power output of 670bhp (500kW), a figure that includes an increase from the single-axle front-axle hybrid system, which delivers up to 268bhp (200kW).
The 2.4-liter V6 of the TS050 was rated at around 500bhp, a figure that was almost doubled when the hybrid twin systems on the front and rear axles were fully boosted.
The electronics of the new car reduce the power of the V6 direct injection developed in Japan at Toyota’s Higashi-Fuji technical center depending on the amount of hybrid stimulus used.
Toyota GR010 Hybrid
Photo by: TOYOTA GAZOO Races
Toyota GR010 Hybrid
Photo by: Racing TOYOTA GAZOO
Toyota’s LMH rival was launched in unique colors that incorporate the GR letters of its Gazoo Racing sports sub-brand. It features the appearance of the GR Super Sport road hypercar that was unveiled at Le Mans 24 Hours last year.
The Japanese manufacturer has confirmed that it will protect the titles of their WEC drivers and manufacturers, as well as its Le Mans crown, with an unchanged driver line.
Managing heroes Kamui Kobayashi, Mike Conway and Jose Maria Lopez will once again drive the # 7 entry at Toyota, while 2020 winners Le Mans Sebastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Brendon Hartley will race the # 8 GR010 .
A Mercedes Formula E driver will follow Nyck de Vries as a test and reserve driver. Kenta Yamashita was not mentioned in the news.
Toyota GR010 Hybrid
Photo by: Racing TOYOTA GAZOO
Toyota GR010 Hybrid
Photo by: Racing TOYOTA GAZOO
The new GR010 is much bigger than its predecessor: it is 250mm longer, 100mm wider and 100mm taller. It is also heavier by the rules: it weighs 1040kg compared to the basic weight of 878kg for Hybrids under P1 rules.
A single aerodynamic configuration, with only one adjustable aerodynamic device, is allowed under the new rules as part of the effort to reduce costs.
That means the GR010 races in the same specification at high and low tracks, with an adjustable rear wing altering its aerodynamic characteristics.
The minimum and minimum numbers are set by the LMH rules.
John Litjens, chassis project director at TGRE in Cologne, explained that the new rules meant that “more freedom is allowed for body shapes and concepts” and “you can clearly see the result of this freedom on the GR010 Hybrid ”.
“There’s a similar principle on the powertrain side as well, with a distinct power curve but a lot of freedom in terms of configuration,” he said.
“The biggest change for us here was to move directly to a front-facing motor generator unit. The packaging for the hybrid system was more challenging on this car due to updated safety standards.
“The GR010 Hybrid has a more powerful combustion engine compared to the TS050 Hybrid, so it’s a very different car both in terms of appearance and how it sounds.”
Toyota conducted its third test with the GR010 at Aragon this week. Kamui Kobayashi and Kazuki Nakajima put the car alone for the first time in the Spanish tour.
The GR010 is expected to start its first race at the first recorded round of WEC 2021 at Sebring on March 19th.
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