Toyota's 2012 Le Mans Hybrid Race Car Breaks Cover

It could just be coincidence, but considering Peugeot's announcement yesterday that it was shutting down its endurance racing program effective immediately, now would seem like a very opportune time for another major manufacturer to show off its brand new Le Mans contender.

Enter, Toyota.

The Japanese auto giant made the official announcement last October that it would be competing in Le Mans and the new World Endurance Championship in the LMP1 class in 2012, albeit with the help of France’s Oreca.

However, until now, the only evidence of Toyota’s progress was a teaser image of its new hybrid LMP1 prototype racer. But thanks to a Toyota PR employee in the UK, we now have our first glimpses of the actual race car.


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AlleVier - 1/19/2012 3:39:08 PM

+1 Boost

I just don't know why they didn't choose to race as Lexus. Whatever development benefits come from endurance racing will perhaps make it to its cars regardless of brand, but it seems they kind of blew the opportunity to improve the sporting image of Lexus. Why bother to create the inaccessible LF-A (as near a race car as they make) if you're not going to follow up with some actual racing?

Joe_Limon - 1/20/2012 12:09:14 PM

+1 Boost

That's why Toyota entered there name in F1, and now lemans, because everyone knows the typical toyota buyer is looking for street legal race cars.

pchera01 - 1/20/2012 11:32:58 AM

+1 Boost

time for nissan and honda too