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

[NelisB]

One could only wonder how the car would look without that huge wing...
Would like to here a explanation why they went with the extended wing endplates.
Pictures here:

[wewantourdarbyback]

The lights are just horrific, but the rest looks good. Interesting cross between 908 and R18. I think the white paint accentuates the BHF.

Interesting how they've extended the wing endplates forward onto the rear arches.

Comparing the body between the wheels it looks less developed (obviously) than the dramatic cut aways on the R18.

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by wewantourdarbyback

The lights are just horrific,

Whisper it, I think they're similar to the headlights that the AMR-One had... and also similar to the headlights on a FLM car.

[MitchZ06]

3 evenly sized bulbs should fit in there but why no LEDs Toyota?

[rich07]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

Whisper it, I think they're similar to the headlights that the AMR-One had... and also similar to the headlights on a FLM car.

Ah the AMR-One, the car that keeps on giving..

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by MitchZ06

3 evenly sized bulbs should fit in there but why no LEDs Toyota?

Maybe they want the cars in front to actually see which side they're planning to overtake them.

[wewantourdarbyback]

I was thinking the flat side between wheels reminded me a tiny bit of the AMR-1... Not a lot, just a little.

[Peat]

Originally Posted by rich07

Ah the AMR-One, the car that keeps on giving..

[AGD]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

Whisper it, I think they're similar to the headlights that the AMR-One had... and also similar to the headlights on a FLM car.

The AMR-One, FLM/LC70/LC75, and even cars like the 905B and old Mazdas had rather odd looking headlight lenses, but this Toyota one might be the oddest I've seen. It reminds me of something I've seen before many years ago, but I can't quite put a finger on what it is.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

Maybe they want the cars in front to actually see which side they're planning to overtake them.

Okay, that means the Toyota engineers only read the LMP1 rules and the GTE rules for 2012

A camera at the rear of the car and a screen in the cockpit for rear vision are mandatory. The camera must have a day/night mode.
The camera lens must remain clean all the time.

source: article 15.3 of Technical Regulations LMGTE 2012

[Mike_Wooshy]

The cats out the bag now ....

[vyselegend]

I do not dislike it. Although now that Victor_RO mentioned the ressemblance with AMR-one headlights I can't help but feeling the same.
But to those who complain about the unfinished look of it, remember what the initial 908 looked like when it first hit the track at the HTTT in 2006! Now at least the Toyota does have headlights, and a livery...

About LHD, I wonder if this have to do with critical KERS components (batteries?) being fitted in the "passenger" side's floor, and thus giving them the most accesible side for engineers to work on it while in the pits.

I'm going to buy the Auto Hebdo later on, if there's some new information I'll share it tonight (I doubt there is, but...)

[Victor_RO]

There's a set of 4 scans from AutoHebdo on MulsanneMike's Facebook page, and... in the last image (3/4 rear shot), the driver's door is not closed properly. Just an observation.

[AGD]

Originally Posted by Mike_Wooshy

The cats out the bag now ....

Yep. It's gone from to . Well, the headlights at least.

[The Real DMN]

I like it, the headlights give it character.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

There's a set of 4 scans from AutoHebdo on MulsanneMike's Facebook page, and... in the last image (3/4 rear shot), the driver's door is not closed properly. Just an observation.

I like Mike's comment on the 4th picture: "The front splitter strakes appears as fangs"

The area at the rear appears to be very evolved. The end plates blend completely with the body work behind the rear wheels. It also seems that the car does feature the mandatory big honking holes.

BTW I just realized that the end plate extensions were already present on the the artistic drawing of the car: http://www.mulsannescorner.com/Toyot...012concept.jpg

[gucom]

Could it be that the exhausts are just ahead/inside of the rear wheels, instead of at the rear? there seem to be black plates on the rear deck, running up to the rear wheel cover a little bit.

Also, the rear 3/4 shot shows that the rear fender holes are present, although I don't know if they're big enough to comply with the rules.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

BTW I just realized that the end plate extensions were already present on the the artistic drawing of the car: http://www.mulsannescorner.com/Toyot...012concept.jpg

The Artist drawing is actually pretty accurate in many ways.
Except the front and cockpit of course

[CTD]

Originally Posted by gucom

Could it be that the exhausts are just ahead/inside of the rear wheels, instead of at the rear? there seem to be black plates on the rear deck, running up to the rear wheel cover a little bit.

Also, the rear 3/4 shot shows that the rear fender holes are present, although I don't know if they're big enough to comply with the rules.

Yes, the exhaust seems to be located just ahead of the rear fender on top of the body work.
There might be an aerodynamical advantage there, as the hot air will flow over the rear spoilers end plates.

[lms]

omg, what a beatiful car!!! although headlights are a bit strange. This will be at Spa right? Got to get to the 6 hours of Spa.....

[AGD]

Originally Posted by The Real DMN

I like it, the headlights give it character.

Yes, the character of a Renault Twingo!

I still find it rather odd that the French and Germans will be racing RHD cars and the Japanese team will have a LHD car!

[R4z3rw33n]

Originally Posted by AGD

Yes, the character of a Renault Twingo!

I still find it rather odd that the French and Germans will be racing RHD cars and the Japanese team will have a LHD car!

Perhaps it's the result of planned pit stop strategy?
Both Audi and Peugeot ran near identical strategies at LM24 2011. Maybe Toyota are attempting to gain ground there by attempting something different?

As far how effective this is, I have no idea. I'm sure they'd have some pretty sound reasoning for design differences, though.

[alexkiller8]

in my opinion how could be cool lights in this way (similiar to the ones of concept design car) hoping toyota doesn't sue me to have modified the pic of their car.

[Rodger Davies]

Ugly car all round but nice to see it.

Three years ago, there were the spy shots of the Aston-Lola LMP from Paul Ricard and just three years later this is where we're at? Go FIA!

[gustavobamba]

Originally Posted by Rodger Davies

Ugly car all round but nice to see it.

Three years ago, there were the spy shots of the Aston-Lola LMP from Paul Ricard and just three years later this is where we're at? Go FIA!

Do you have that pictures? a link? I don´t know nothing about a Aston secret car!!!