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

[Gingers4Justice]

Anyone worrying about Toyota's long-term future need only look at the signing of Wurz to be reassured.

Why on earth would he leave as one of the better drivers in what is probably the fastest team, for only one year? I just can't imagine him doing that. He always sounds like an ambitious guy in his interviews. I really believe Wurz would only leave Peugeot to join Toyota if he firmly believed he had a chance of winning with them whilst enjoying the challenge. Someone at Toyota must have done an excellent job at convincing him, too.

Toyota's low-key first year must surely stem from the lessons learned from their gung-ho F1 programme.

In 2014 I really believe we'll see at least four manafacturers on the grid.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Really hope Dome comes back to Le Mans, the S102 is one of my favourite LMP cars of all time.

Lots of good news for international sports car racing this year.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by DeathOrGlory

Speaking of Dome...

Mariantic also posted that Taki Inoue is also somewhat involved, he's been tweeting about updating the S102 apparently. Rumor of a Toyota RV8KLM engine, with the updates, the Big Honking Fin and the Big Honking Holes.

I say DO IT! But will Dome allow it?

It was Japanese Samurai who quoted Taki Inoue.
Also i think this has more to do in the Dome thread

[Acid09]

No idea if it has been mentioned before but according to the German Eurosport guys (who are well informed due to Toyota being located in Cologne), the LMP1 is going to be called Toyota P12.

[AGD]

Originally Posted by Acid09

Toyota P12.

That's hardly the most iconic name, but oh well. It's just a name.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Acid09

No idea if it has been mentioned before but according to the German Eurosport guys (who are well informed due to Toyota being located in Cologne), the LMP1 is going to be called Toyota P12.

"P"rototype 20"12"?

[deggis]

Too many 'PXs'.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Acid09

No idea if it has been mentioned before but according to the German Eurosport guys (who are well informed due to Toyota being located in Cologne), the LMP1 is going to be called Toyota P12.

Nice info cheers. I doubt a year later they will adopt a P13 moniker.

Car names are never iconic sounding until they gain results to form a reputation.

There's nothing iconic about GT40 or 917 on paper until you factor in their legacy.

[GTfour]

Any more news about engine specifics?

[MulsanneMike]

The "P12" is the internal name, not the official name. The official name is yet to be announced.

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by Simmi

There's nothing iconic about GT40 or 917 on paper until you factor in their legacy.

Very good point.

Toyota were unlikely to name it the Le Mans Whopper Shark Face. Can't think of a single Le Mans car that's iconic that isn't a numbered and/or lettered model.

[MulsanneMike]

Originally Posted by GTfour

Any more news about engine specifics?

3.4 liter normally aspirated V8.

[TF110]

Assuming it's a brand new unit, more than just an updated SuperGT engine? With the hybrid being like that of the Supra HV-R.

[Hawkwood]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

Toyota were unlikely to name it the Le Mans Whopper Shark Face.

Frankly, whatever it's dubbed will now be rendered totally underwhelming

[MulsanneMike]

Originally Posted by TF110

Assuming it's a brand new unit, more than just an updated SuperGT engine? With the hybrid being like that of the Supra HV-R.

There's no reason to believe it's nothing more than a further iteration of the RV8KLM V8 used by Rebellion this year.

[AGD]

Originally Posted by Simmi

There's nothing iconic about GT40 or 917 on paper until you factor in their legacy.

There's something to that, but that's not all it takes. P12 (which apparently won't even be the actual marketing name) is just so generic. At least stuff like 917, R10, 905/908, XJR-x and so forth fit within a corporate naming system. Something like the TS010 does not have much of a legacy, but it's still a pretty neat name with the reference to TS and such.

[TF110]

Must be a good engine then. I figured it'd be a new model as to work in conjunction with the hybrid system. Just a guess.

[knighty]

Originally Posted by MulsanneMike

There's no reason to believe it's nothing more than a further iteration of the RV8KLM V8 used by Rebellion this year.

hmmm......I'm thinking the current Toyota LMP1 engine will be paid more attention than ever before......I think this years Rebellion spec engine is a conventional port-fuelled engine......in which case even the un-informed people at Toyota will know that fitting a direct injection conversion from Bosch motorsports (off the shelf) will save circa 5% fuel......so that will mean new cylinder heads and new pistons to start with, therefore new cams too for revised timing........and the new pistons will probably require a re-visit to the con-rod and crank design for balance and torsional vibration reasons........5% fuel save cannot be sniffed at for a factory effort.

but if the engine is already fitted with direct injection than I am talking out of my backside!!!.......but I doubt it, as I think the current engine is just a warmed over Japanese F3000 thingy, single seater spec engine ........which was actually a warmed over IRL engine that used to run on ethanol!

[TF110]

Kinda amazing how long this engine has been in use if you think about it. From its variations in F-Nippon, SuperGT, LeMans etc.

[knighty]

I just asked the question to someone on the inside and he declined to comment for confidentiality reasons and said we will see next year......which I think therein lies the answer......my money and hunch says TMG are performing a full re-design on the current LMP1 engine........admittedley this may be tricky to prove as the injectors will be hidden in the trumpets or in the V, but I'm sure the eagle eyed photographers will get their long lenses on the case once the right opportunity arrises!.......lets wait and see.

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by knighty

but I'm sure the eagle eyed photographers will get their long lenses on the case once the right opportunity arrises!.......lets wait and see.

The first time the car gets crashed by one K. Nakajima, probably. Sorry, I'm being unfair.

[Mr Pink]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

The first time the car gets crashed by one K. Nakajima, probably. Sorry, I'm being unfair.

Hopefully racing in Super GT is doing him some good.

[MulsanneMike]

Originally Posted by knighty

I just asked the question to someone on the inside and he declined to comment for confidentiality reasons and said we will see next year......which I think therein lies the answer......my money and hunch says TMG are performing a full re-design on the current LMP1 engine........admittedley this may be tricky to prove as the injectors will be hidden in the trumpets or in the V, but I'm sure the eagle eyed photographers will get their long lenses on the case once the right opportunity arrises!.......lets wait and see.

I guess this wouldn't surprise me, but my point is, it will still be 8 cylinders arranged in a 'V' and 3.4 liters, normally aspirated. That's what sources have described.

[knighty]

Originally Posted by MulsanneMike

I guess this wouldn't surprise me, but my point is, it will still be 8 cylinders arranged in a 'V' and 3.4 liters, normally aspirated. That's what sources have described.

yup, I'm going along with that too.......although I'm also interested to hear what hybrid system they will use.........I heve reason to believe its an axial flux electrical motor-generator from a UK company called Evo Electric, which will be mounted in the bell housing.........I think their battery solution will be quite jazzy, probably lithium-polymer which is the fashion in F1 and electric bike racing as its stupidly compact........ oohhh excitement!!!

[TF110]

Pascal Vasselon said Toyota Mo. Co. in Japan was in charge of that. But also said Toyota has furthered the hybrid the Supra HVR used, so it may be something along those lines.