TOYOTA LE MANS HYBRID TECH SPEC
Toyota TS030 Class: Le Mans Prototype (LMP1)
Bodywork: carbon fi bre composite (TMG) Windscreen: polycarbonate
Gearbox: Transverse, six-speed sequential (TMG); aluminium gearbox casing (TMG)
Driveshafts: constant velocity tripod plunge joint
Clutch: multi-disc
Differential: viscous mechanical locking unit
Suspension: independent front and rear double wishbone, pushrod- actuated
Alongside its all-new 3.4-litre Le Mans-spec V8, the TS030 has two hybrid motors, both capacitor based, one located at the rear and the other at the front. Both are currently being evaluated for optimum suitability
electronic route. ‘Flywheels were not really an option for us,’ explains Vasselon. ‘We studied both batteries and capacitors and, at the moment, the best compromise was capacitors. It is a combination of the weight and regulations.’ The last major motorsport
programme to develop a capacitor-based storage solution was BMW Sauber with its KERS- equipped F1.09. That car was not a success, but technology has moved on since then. ‘Capacitors have high power
but low volume compared to a lithium battery, which has big storage but no power,’ explains Murata. ‘We evaluated both systems [and decided] capacitor is better than lithium battery for our usage. We found that the lithium battery has a big resistance, which causes heat. With this new type of capacitor it is much better and we are already working on better cooling and packaging solutions.’ Weight was a major factor in the decision to use the new capacitors made by team partner, Nisshinbo. The system tested in the Dome was too heavy and, despite the weight coming down substantially, Toyota admits openly that it is still an issue. ‘Our hybrid system is huge
and heavy,’ admits a surprisingly candid Murata. ‘We have to keep to the minimum weight of 900kg.
www.racecar-engineering.com • Le Mans POWER UNDER WRAPS
An all-new engine was developed for the TS030, built purely to race at Le Mans rather than to replace Toyota’s existing RV8K race engine. Little is known currently about the 3.4-litre V8, other than it was developed by Toyota in Japan rather than at TMG in Cologne and is claimed to be a substantial technological advance over the versatile but aged RV8K used by Rebellion
Usually without the hybrid system, the car is around 750kg- 800kg. The heaviest sub-system on the car is the hybrid, but we also carry ballast.’ Installing the system on the car without compromising the vehicle dynamics was a major challenge for the chassis team at
Racing in its pair of Lolas, as well as by other Toyota and Lexus teams running in Formula Nippon and Super GT. Racecar Engineering understands the new engine has a lower crankshaft height (approximately 18mm lower) compared to the RV8K-LM. It breathes through a single 43.3mm restrictor, but performance fi gures are being kept under wraps for now.
‘Le Mans Sportscars are ideal to develop the hybrid systems as you have the space to put it in the car.’ One area of the system that
Toyota has yet to fi nalise could create a major difference to the car’s dynamics. The new regulations stipulate that the
“The best compromise was
capacitors. It is a combination of the weight and regulations”
TMG, but a simple solution was arrived at: ‘We have [a] passenger in the car! These cars are fortunately two seaters so, on the left is the driver, on the right is the capacitor box,’ explains Vasselon, hinting that the two may weigh roughly the same.
hybrid system can be front mounted, effectively making the car four-wheel drive. However, if the system acts on the front wheels it cannot activate below 120kph, whilst at the rear it can run at any speed. Both a two-wheel drive
Springs: torsion bars Anti roll bars: front and rear Steering: hydraulically-assisted
Brakes: dual-circuit hydraulic; Brembo monoblock light alloy calipers front and rear
Discs: carbon ventilated, front and rear
Wheels: OZ Magnesium forged Front - 14.5 x 18in Rear - 14.5 x 18in
Tyres: Michelin radial Front - 36/71-18 Rear - 37/71-18
Length: 4650mm Width: 2000mm Height: 1030mm Fuel capacity: 73 litres
Powertrain: Toyota Hybrid System – Racing (THS-R)
Engine: 90-degree V8, normally aspirated Fuel: petrol
Engine capacity: 3.4-litres Valves: four Air restrictors: one x 43.3mm Capacitor: Nisshinbo Front hybrid motor: Aisin AW Rear hybrid motor: Denso
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