The revised design integrates a hybrid all-wheel-drive system that is rated at 513 horsepower, along with a 3.7-liter V8 gasoline engine that brings the total maximum power up to 986 ponies.
To remain competitive in the series, the TS040 has been optimized for new WEC technical regulations that require teams to cut fuel consumption by 25 percent. Engineers are also said to be given more design flexibility in other areas, enabling Toyota to bring a significant increase in hybrid power with motors on both the front and rear axles.
“By adopting more road-relevant technology, the WEC will increase the possibilities for the transfer of Toyota’s race-bred technical know-how to its production cars, strengthening is status as the world’s leading manufacturer of hybrid vehicles,” Toyota says.
The TS040 aims to take on rival factory teams Audi and Porsche, with several races ahead of the pinnacle event, 24 Hours of Le Mans, scheduled for June 14.
“It’s hard to know where our competition will be performance-wise,” said team driver Anthony Davidson. “We are waiting to face them on track but you have to expect Audi will have done a good job and will probably be the one to beat despite Porsche’s heritage in this category.”
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