Toyota reveals its 2017 TS050 Hybrid

Toyota Gazoo racing has revealed its TS050 Hybrid LMP1 car which will compete in its 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship program, which includes a three-car entry for the Le Mans 24 Hours. The new car will be powered by a brand new 2.4-litre V6 turbo engine, with an 8MJ hybrid system.

Its hybrid system in particular has also seen developments to comply with the 2017 regulations. Motor generator units (MGU) have been reduced in both size and weight; the high-powered lithium-ion battery has also been worked on.

"Our 2017 TS050 Hybrid represents a significant update," said Pascal Vasselon, technical director of Toyota Gazoo Racing. "The only item which is not changed is the monocoque. At several races last year we showed the potential of our car with strong performances. But to achieve our targets we need more, so as well as big aerodynamic changes, we have optimised each area for performance and weight.

"What happened at Le Mans last year was painful so we gave extra attention to quality management.

"Zero risk doesn't exist so we operate according to a given level of risk, which this year we have reduced. Pre-season testing has gone well in terms of performance and reliability so we feel positive but we also know we face a tough competitor."

The Toyota TS050 features a raised front splitter (by 15mm) and a narrower diffuser as part of its aero package which is part of the ACO's efforts to increase lap times at Le Mans or safety. The raised nose and sharp undercut to the sidepods are also noticeable modifications.

"For the first time the regulation changes this year reducing corner speeds and downforce with changes to the front splitter and rear diffuser have not been completely clawed back," Vasselon told RACER.

"From the point where, if applied to our 2016 car they would have cost us four to five seconds at Le Mans and perhaps two seconds elsewhere in the WEC on a lap we have clawed back a lot of the difference, but for the first time we have not completely recovered the time."

The 2017 car has already recorded over 18,500 miles in testing behind closed doors in 2017. The milage was completed at five separate tests at Paul Ricard, Motorland Aragon and Portimao, with the team performing four 30-hour endurance tests across its pre-season program.

Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López race the No.7 for the full season, alongside Sébastien Buemi, Anthony Davidson and Kazuki Nakajima in the No.8. Stéphane Sarrazin is joined by Yuji Kunimoto and Nicolas Lapierre in the No.9 for the races at Spa-Francorchamps and Le Mans only.

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