By Adam Tate, Managing Editor
Following on the heels of Audi and Porsche who unveiled their 2016 WEC prototypes yesterday, Toyota has revealed its new TS050 today as it prepares for the season ahead.
Dubbed the TS050, the car while visually similar to the TS040 that came before it, is new from the ground up. The biggest change is a new Turbocharged 2.4 liter V6 in place of the V8 used last year. Following Audi’s step of copying 2015 champions Porsche, Toyota too has decided to ditch their supercapacitor set up in favor of lithium ion batteries for their hybrid system. Combined with the new V6, the power unit should easily conform to the new fuel flow rate regulations that have been put in place to slow the cars down.
The aerodynamics have been significantly revamped and the new hybrid system has been relocated to help with rear air flow. We will miss the epic sound of the old 3.7 liter V8, but Toyota thinks the new car will be faster than the outgoing model, thanks to the higher torque output from the combination of the new batteries and the turbo V6.
It’s first true test will be the April 17th season opener for the World Endurance Championship, at Silverstone.
Image: Toyota Gazoo Racing
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