Toyota TS030 Hybrid

Toyota TS030 Hybrid
CategoryLe Mans Prototype 1 (LMP1)
ConstructorToyota
Designer(s)Pascal Vasselon[1]
PredecessorToyota GT-One
SuccessorToyota TS040 Hybrid
Technical specifications[2][3]
ChassisCarbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb monocoque
Suspension (front)Independent double wishbone pushrod system
Suspension (rear)Independent double wishbone pushrod system
Length4,650 mm (183.1 in)
Width2,000 mm (78.7 in)
Height1,030 mm (40.6 in)
EngineToyota RV8KLM[4] 3.4 L (3,400 cc) 90-degree V8 Normally aspirated mid, longitudinally mounted
Transmission6-speed sequential manual Viscous mechanical locking differential
FuelTotal petrol
BrakesDual circuit hydraulic braking system, mono-block light-alloy brake callipers front and rear, ventilated front and rear brake discs in carbon
TyresMichelin radial 36/71-18 front, 37/71-18 rear
ClutchMultidisc
Competition history
Notable entrantsJapan Toyota Racing
Notable drivers
Debut2012 24 Hours of Le Mans
First win2012 6 Hours of São Paulo
Last win2013 6 Hours of Bahrain
Last event2013 6 Hours of Bahrain
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
1451064
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Toyota TS030 Hybrid is a Le Mans Prototype 1 (LMP1) sports car built by Toyota Motorsport GmbH and used by the manufacturer in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2012 and 2013. It was Toyota's first all new prototype since the GT-One last competed in 1999, and was the first petrol-hybrid engine car to participate in the World Endurance Championship. Work on designing the car began in late 2010 when early chassis designs were presented to Toyota Motorsport. The project was stopped briefly after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, but the car's building was approved six months later. The TS030 Hybrid featured a Kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) regenerative braking device to charge a super capacitor. Its engine, a naturally aspirated petrol 3.4-litre (210 cu in) V8 power unit, was mounted at a 90-degree angle, produced 530 horsepower (400 kW; 540 PS), and was based on Toyota's Super GT project.

On 24 January 2012 the TS030 Hybrid was shown to the press for the first time at Circuit Paul Ricard and the team commenced testing at the track shortly after. Its planned debut at the 2012 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps was delayed while the car's chassis was rebuilt after a heavy testing crash. Two TS030 Hybrid cars were entered for Le Mans which saw the team fail to finish because of a sizeable accident by Anthony Davidson in the No. 8 vehicle, and an engine failure for the sister No. 7 entry. After the race, the company fielded a sole TS030 Hybrid for the rest of the season and attracted attention for an innovative rear wing extension. It was able to compete successfully against the two Audi R18 e-tron quattro cars, securing three victories with drivers Nicolas Lapierre and Alexander Wurz, ending the season second to their rivals in the World Manufacturers' Championship.

Further car development was undertaken to minimise the impact of the 2013 LMP1 technical regulations by focusing on engine fine-tuning for improvements in power, efficiency and reliability. Only one TS030 Hybrid was entered for the entire 2013 World Endurance Championship because Toyota had limited resources, though a second car was used in selected races. The 2012-specification chassis was used in the season's first two races with the updated 2013 chassis debuting at Spa-Francorchamps. The TS030 Hybrid cars won two of the eight rounds contested in the season with a second-place finish for the No. 8 vehicle at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Toyota again finished second behind their rivals Audi in the Manufacturers' Championship. The 2014 LMP1 regulations rendered the TS030 Hybrid obsolete, and it was superseded by the TS040 Hybrid.

  1. ^ Bonardel, Cécil (12 April 2012). "Three questions to Toyota Racing's Technical Director Pascal Vasselon". FIA World Endurance Championship. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Toyota TS030 Hybrid: technical focus on a radical race car". Toyota GB. 18 April 2013. Archived from the original on 20 July 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  3. ^ Fagnan, R (25 January 2012). "Endurance: Technical specifications of the Toyota TS030 hybrid (+videos)". Auto123. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  4. ^ "Super GT braced for return of ferocious... Prius Plug-in". Toyota. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  5. ^ a b "TOYOTA Racing Finalises 2012 Driver Line-Up". Toyota. 10 February 2012. Archived from the original on 14 February 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  6. ^ a b c "Wurz among Toyota Le Mans line-up". Yahoo! Eurosport. TF1 Group. 8 January 2012. Archived from the original on 12 January 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2012.