The move to a turbocharged unit follows Toyota's lack of pace in comparison to Audi and Porsche in last year's WEC, with the team reckoning that the new engine holds much more potential for development along with improvements in efficiency and packaging - vital aspects of any endurance racer. A stronger seven-speed gearbox has been developed to cope with the increased torque, while aerodynamic efficiency has been improved by relocating certain hybrid system components. The car also runs a lithium-ion battery instead of the supercapacitor energy-storage setup in the old car, facilitating a step up to the eight megajoule class. This, in conjunction with the 493hp output from the V6, should aid the TS050 in pushing its LMP1 competition that bit harder this season.
Anything else?
Toyota intends to field two cars for the nine-race calendar, with Anthony Davidson, Sébastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima in the #5 machine, all racers with much F1 and endurance experience. The #6 car will be home to Mike Conway, crazy overtaker Kamui Kobayashi and former Subaru WRC pilot Stéphane Sarrazin. Silverstone kicks off the WEC season on April 17th, but as usual all eyes will be on Le Mans in mid-June to see if Toyota can finally add endurance racing's highest accolade to its trophy cabinet after numerous near-misses.
If there is anything about this story we have not covered, you can avail of our expert advice service via the Ask Us Anything page.