Toyota TS030 Hybrid at the Le Mans

Toyota TS030 Hybrid is the model with which the Japanese automaker will return to the Le Mans 24-hour race the forthcoming week. On the race track we will see not one but two of these competing hybrids.

Toyota aims with these hybrid vehicles to write a new page in the history of the legendary twice-around-the-clock enduro, with the help with their unique technologies. Both TS030 Hybrids display their new Toyota hybrid-blue livery.

Furthermore, both racecars are equipped with the 2012 THS-R (Toyota Hybrid System - Racing) powertrain. The latter is designed to deliver optimum performance and includes theall-new V8 3.4-litre normally-aspirated petrol engine and hybrid system with capacitor storage.

Of course, being a true Toyota's full hybrid road car, the TS030's energy is regenerated under braking and the vehicle can work in electric-only mode, thus achieving zero emissions and zero fuel consumption.

This means that it either delivers faster lap times through improving speed on the exit of corners, or one chooses to save fuel by using the internal combustion engine less on corner exit and allowing the hybrid system to compensate.

Few days more to go and we will eventually understand whether the goal of Toyota is achievable, and it is to show that the TS030 Hybrid is the fastest hybrid car on the grid.

Source: Toyota