The never ending Toyota return to Le Mans (LMP1) Saga

[MitchZ06]

Do I see wide fronts? Pretty small fender holes too...are the endplates allowed to be that big too? Headlights are a bit odd but other than that it looks great.

[Victor_RO]

They seem to have learned from Audi's mistake with the R18, the windscreen looks larger even than the one on the Peugeot or the Lola.

[TF110]

That thing is wicked! Looks like a Transformer or something from the front. Cockpit looks wide, no vision problems there. They do look like wide fronts. And, it's running Michelin's! Pascal has a history with them, I figured they would choose them as they're on Peugeot and Audi. Also, Toyota branding, and the blue color, Panasonic must be a sponsor.

[Bentley03]

It's a Peugeot R18!

[Japanese Samurai]

Dome S103!!!

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

They seem to have learned from Audi's mistake with the R18, the windscreen looks larger even than the one on the Peugeot or the Lola.

I have the impression that they copied the Dome S102 cockpit: http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/pic/3...02-Judd_3.html
I see quite some resemblance with the Dome. For instance the driver is also positioned on the left, contrarily to what everybody else is doing.

[AGD]

Originally Posted by kaivo

ok guys, hide your childrensu see smthing ugly

Real ugly! But LHD? Interesting.

[Deleted]

Don't know what a say really.

[TF110]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, if it wins who cares what it looks like? From the side profile, the cabin isn't as upright as the R18H. I see some innovation with the endplates of the rear wing connecting to the rear fenders.

[AGD]

Originally Posted by TF110

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, if it wins who cares what it looks like? From the side profile, the cabin isn't as upright as the R18H. I see some innovation with the endplates of the rear wing connecting to the rear fenders.

If you like big honkin' fins, this is the car for you. It may not be bigger than any others, but it certainly does not blend in well given the paint scheme. The paint scheme also shows off the BHHs as well. Maybe this is just an interim livery though. As for the headlights, uhh, yeah. I'm guessing those won't be part of any marketing campaign ala Audi.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by TF110

I see some innovation with the endplates of the rear wing connecting to the rear fenders.

Yes, this might be some clever aero thing, but I don't like the looks of the extended endplates.

I suspect that this is not yet the final aero package because there are no holes above the rear tyres.

Originally Posted by AGD

As for the headlights, uhh, yeah. I'm guessing those won't be part of any marketing campaign ala Audi.

The headlights are definitely "functionality above beauty"

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by AGD

Real ugly! But LHD? Interesting.

LHD is a disadvantage in the pits because the driver has to run around the car. However, it could be a visibility advantage. The view to the right side will be much better, which is where the apex is most often on clockwise circuits.

[TF110]

This is just their first test, so yeah- the car is probably just in testing trim, and probably will look different come race day. No branding on the car, no sponsors. I've never been a fan of the fins, but it's in the regs, if it were red it may look better, but the final livery may diminish it's size. I do see blue though, so I feel Panasonic has to be a sponsor (like in F1).

[AGD]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

LHD is a disadvantage in the pits because the driver has to run around the car.

I'm not really sure if I remember the regs. Do the petrol cars still have a fuel flow advantage over the diesels? If so, what impact will that combined with LHD have?

[tbz]

That's him!

Source: http://www.autohebdo.fr/ http://motorsportrants.wordpress.com...ota-lmp1-2012/

[DistortedSmile]

Finally some pictures, I think the body looks good, it's the headlights that make it look weird, I really hope those aren't the final product.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by AGD

I'm not really sure if I remember the regs. Do the petrol cars still have a fuel flow advantage over the diesels? If so, what impact will that combined with LHD have?

I believe that that was a mid season solution for 2011 to address the performance balance. The theory was that petrol cars could gain some time in the pits with faster refueling.

For 2012 the diesels got additional restrictions. So everybody will probably start with the original fuel flow restrictor, which makes refueling equally long for both fuel types.

[TF110]

Holes in the front fenders, but not the rear. Obviously the bodywork will change. But the front seems very low next to the nose cone.

[rich07]

I like the car, a lot. It seems to have its own unique look like the R18 did.

Are those two pics the only ones available at the moment? I really would like to see the rear.

Thanks to tbz for posting up the pics, the link on the previous page doesnt work.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by rich07

Thanks to tbz for posting up the pics, the link on the previous page doesnt work.

It did a few minutes ago. The pictures probably had to be taken down because they are copyrighted by Autohebdo.

[tbz]

Originally Posted by rich07

I like the car, a lot. It seems to have its own unique look like the R18 did.

Are those two pics the only ones available at the moment? I really would like to see the rear.

Thanks to tbz for posting up the pics, the link on the previous page doesnt work.

you're welcome, yeah it doesnt work, were deleted by the owner

[TF110]

I think the site might try to request them to be taken down. So save them while you can just in case. This seems to be the only two scans from the print that're online, so far. Maybe more will surface. There has to be more because of the pixelated shot on the first link.

[rich07]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

It did a few minutes ago. The pictures probably had to be taken down because they are copyrighted by Autohebdo.

I just noticed on that page a comment regarding the pics being taken down so it seems Autohebedo have gotten in touch with them.

Pics saved.

[gustavobamba]

The only thing i have to say is....


Damm, that looks FAST

[Simmi]

I still stand by my feelings that any major factory LMP1 is beautiful. I like it though and I'm glad they went with that livery. If that is the final livery.