Toyota Gazoo Racing introduces the GR010 Hybrid hypercar

Toyota Gazoo Racing begins a new era of endurance racing with the launch of its all-new GR010 Hybrid, which will compete in the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship.

GR010

The GR010 Hybrid is a racing version of Toyota’s forthcoming road-legal GR Super Sport hypercar, which features powertrain technology from the TS050 Hybrid race car. Specifically, a 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo engine providing 671bhp to the rear wheels, and a 268bhp motor-generator on the front axle. Total power output is capped at 671bhp, so the electronics are programmed to reduce engine power according to the amount of hybrid boost being deployed.

GR010

To mark this new era for Toyota Gazoo Racing, the GR010 Hybrid bears a new livery that emphasises the strong link between the race and road cars.

GR010 Hybrid: new regulations force a new approach

Toyota Gazoo Racing enters its ninth WEC season with the same driver line-up that brought the team championship glory in the 2019-2020 campaign. Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José Maria López will drive the #7 GR010 Hybrid, while Sébastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Brendon Hartley will race with the #8 car. Both crews have already completed a trio of three-day tests to become familiar with the car.

GR010

Cost-reduction initiatives have been incorporated in the new regulations, meaning the new GR010 Hybrid is larger in all dimensions, 162kg heavier and has 32% less power than its TS050 Hybrid predecessor. As a result, Le Mans lap times are expected to be around ten seconds slower. And for the first time, the WEC’s premier class will feature a balance of performance, meaning organisers will regulate energy usage and weight to target identical performance potential on a race-by-race basis.

GR010

For the first time since the beginning of the WEC project, Toyota Gazoo Racing will participate without a rear motor-generator unit (MGU); the single permitted MGU is located on the car’s front axle. This meant the GR010 Hybrid required a kinetic energy recovery system and brake by wire system on the front end, plus a starter motor for the petrol engine and fully hydraulic rear brakes.

The new technical regulations permit only a single homologated bodywork package, with one adjustable aerodynamic device. The GR010 Hybrid will therefore compete in the same specification at both low- and high-downforce circuits, with an adjustable rear wing modifying its aerodynamic characteristics.

Learn more: 2021 provisional WEC calendar

GR010

GR010 Hybrid: technical specifications

Bodywork Carbon fibre composite 
Mechanical drivetrain 3.5-litre 24-valve turbocharged V6 petrol engine with direct injection; multi-disc clutch; transverse-mounted seven-speed sequential gearbox; mechanical locking differential; constant velocity driveshafts with tripod plunge joints; 90-litre fuel tank. Power rated at 671bhp / 680PS / 500kW 
Electric drivetrain Lithium-ion high-power battery; Aisin AW / Denso front motor-generator unit. Power rated at 268bhp / 272PS / 200kW 
Chassis 13×18” Rays magnesium alloy wheels with 31/71-18 Michelin radial tyres; Akebono monoblock alloy brake calipers with carbon ventilated discs; independent double wishbone suspension with pushrods (front and rear); torsion bar springs; anti-roll bars (front and rear); hydraulically assisted steering 
Measurements 4900mm (length); 2000mm (width); 1150mm (height); 1040kg (weight) 

 

4 comments

  1. Looks great. Be interesting to see how much quicker these are round the corners with that wider track. Maybe a tad slower given less wing polar?

    It will also be interesting to see how the MGU and ICE are used depending on conditions and how it will affect the handling of the car.

    1. Hi Lewis,

      The new Hypercar class will be around 10 seconds per lap slower than the outgoing LMP1 class. This is mainly to do with the additional weight and reduction in power. Honestly, Toyota UK doesn’t have access to corner speed data at the moment, but we’re sure that, once the cars are on track, there will be plenty of info to compare. Excited for the season to start?

      1. I thought so. That’s not as much difference as I thought though in all honesty!

        I’m more interested in how the engine and motors are used though as the motors are on the front axle and the engine on the rear. As the engine can use all 650ps allowance, it would be interesting to see how the powertrain is managed throughout a corner.

        Very excited! Hoping Toyota will overcome Audi. Always you two battling it out, its great!!

      2. Hi Lewis,
        We’re sure there will be more technical information available soon! We’ll share it on the blog and our social media channels as and when we get it.
        Thanks for your support!

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