Comments on: Toyota to enter Le Mans race with hybrid? http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html Car news, reviews, and specs for the auto-industry Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:42:28 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: SS4LIFE http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html/comment-page-1#comment-354014 SS4LIFE Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:55:55 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html#comment-354014 OH wait are they really serious about entering in a GT1 or GT2 class? Yeah the only thing they could offer would have to be the Lexus LF-A, and for one, it's a Lexus and NOT a Toyota even though it's a brand of Toyota, and two doesn't the car being entered into the GT class have to be a production run model? This car is still in the concept phase. Is it even pre-production? OH wait are they really serious about entering in a GT1 or GT2 class? Yeah the only thing they could offer would have to be the Lexus LF-A, and for one, it’s a Lexus and NOT a Toyota even though it’s a brand of Toyota, and two doesn’t the car being entered into the GT class have to be a production run model? This car is still in the concept phase. Is it even pre-production?

]]> By: SS4LIFE http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html/comment-page-1#comment-354013 SS4LIFE Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:52:04 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html#comment-354013 I just can't conceive of what Toyota even has to offer in Le Mans. Companies like Mazda, and Acura did a good job in entering LMP2 class cars, especially when they are using Lola or Courage chassis, and I think Toyota could also do this. But yeah what are they going to offer for a GT1 or GT2 class? A Camry Solara??? I'm sorry but they're going to have to enter into one of the two Prototype classes because the Corvettes, DB9R's, 911's and F430's would eat them alive. I just can’t conceive of what Toyota even has to offer in Le Mans. Companies like Mazda, and Acura did a good job in entering LMP2 class cars, especially when they are using Lola or Courage chassis, and I think Toyota could also do this. But yeah what are they going to offer for a GT1 or GT2 class? A Camry Solara??? I’m sorry but they’re going to have to enter into one of the two Prototype classes because the Corvettes, DB9R’s, 911’s and F430’s would eat them alive.

]]> By: Z06ified http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html/comment-page-1#comment-353873 Z06ified Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:40:15 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html#comment-353873 I can't wait to see Corvettes hand Toyota their asses on a platter. Audi will do the same to them. Diesel makes sense for this application, and Audi proved it. Hybrid electric doesn't make sense for racing applications. Weight and complexity for marginal fuel efficiency improvments only under part throttle conditions (virtually none under full throttle conditions). I can’t wait to see Corvettes hand Toyota their asses on a platter. Audi will do the same to them. Diesel makes sense for this application, and Audi proved it. Hybrid electric doesn’t make sense for racing applications. Weight and complexity for marginal fuel efficiency improvments only under part throttle conditions (virtually none under full throttle conditions).

]]> By: broadrun96 http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html/comment-page-1#comment-353656 broadrun96 Mon, 21 Jan 2008 22:33:42 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html#comment-353656 Blakkarr has one of the main ideas I have seen pushed and debated right on, the main benefit the hybrids would have is under braking, MUCH less wear on the pads, and then reuse that energy in launching off the corners. Not really a big thing at Le Mans itself with the high speeds but could be a big advantage if the car can be built light enough to meet the minimums or those pesky LMP2 cars will eat it up through the corners at some of the tighter tracks with sharper corners. Will definately make 2010 or so race season a fun time to be a sports car fan. Blakkarr has one of the main ideas I have seen pushed and debated right on, the main benefit the hybrids would have is under braking, MUCH less wear on the pads, and then reuse that energy in launching off the corners. Not really a big thing at Le Mans itself with the high speeds but could be a big advantage if the car can be built light enough to meet the minimums or those pesky LMP2 cars will eat it up through the corners at some of the tighter tracks with sharper corners. Will definately make 2010 or so race season a fun time to be a sports car fan.

]]> By: Blakkarr http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html/comment-page-1#comment-353615 Blakkarr Mon, 21 Jan 2008 20:49:01 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html#comment-353615 "Hybrids" and "pure electrics" are two different animals. Try not to get them confused. And I would doubt a racing Hybrid would actually have batteries. It would have Capacitors which are lighter and would only need to carry enough charge for that punch out of turns. The car would still rely on it's gas engine. The electric motors would be used only for acceleration. “Hybrids” and “pure electrics” are two different animals. Try not to get them confused.

And I would doubt a racing Hybrid would actually have batteries. It would have Capacitors which are lighter and would only need to carry enough charge for that punch out of turns. The car would still rely on it’s gas engine. The electric motors would be used only for acceleration.

]]> By: johnnycanuck http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html/comment-page-1#comment-353592 johnnycanuck Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:45:42 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html#comment-353592 Swerve: exactly. Although they have been very quick in testing this winter. Swerve: exactly. Although they have been very quick in testing this winter.

]]> By: autonut http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html/comment-page-1#comment-353561 autonut Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:04:48 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html#comment-353561 corvette it is an interesting question. My guess that if the circuit will allow constant or near constant 180-200 mph the mileage would remain as efficient as gasoline/diesel engine can run. If circuit is variable speed then hybrid will have and advantage since electric motor(s) helps to accelerate not to maintain constant speed. corvette it is an interesting question. My guess that if the circuit will allow constant or near constant 180-200 mph the mileage would remain as efficient as gasoline/diesel engine can run. If circuit is variable speed then hybrid will have and advantage since electric motor(s) helps to accelerate not to maintain constant speed.

]]> By: Blakkarr http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html/comment-page-1#comment-353528 Blakkarr Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:33:44 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html#comment-353528 Chrysler tried to field a Hybrid for either LeMans P1 or P2 class about a decade ago. I think Toyota should be leaning it that direction. I'm not familiar with all the rules or how the Sanctioning body will look at Hybrids competing int GT1 or GT2 classes, otherwise I think someone else would have done it first. Maybe Honda. At any rate, it's seems a bit early to tell. Chrysler tried to field a Hybrid for either LeMans P1 or P2 class about a decade ago. I think Toyota should be leaning it that direction. I’m not familiar with all the rules or how the Sanctioning body will look at Hybrids competing int GT1 or GT2 classes, otherwise I think someone else would have done it first. Maybe Honda.

At any rate, it’s seems a bit early to tell.

]]> By: SwerveEarly http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html/comment-page-1#comment-353517 SwerveEarly Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:12:27 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html#comment-353517 Shouldn't they just concentrate on trying to win one F1 race. Shouldn’t they just concentrate on trying to win one F1 race.

]]> By: corvette http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html/comment-page-1#comment-353504 corvette Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:12:06 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html#comment-353504 i'm interested in the millage of these cars. even though there hybrids how good can a 180-200mph hybrid be on millage? i’m interested in the millage of these cars. even though there hybrids how good can a 180-200mph hybrid be on millage?

]]> By: broadrun96 http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html/comment-page-1#comment-353483 broadrun96 Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:24:30 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html#comment-353483 Except that the hybrid system WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED on any car that would compete with the 911s by rule. The Toyota will be built as a TOYOTA, Lexus isn't widely enough distributed yet worldwide, and not be badged/or built off of a street car as the hybrid system would only be allowed in LMP1 and so it would be a custom chassis like they did earlier with the GT-One. It would compete with Audi (prob no shot against the V12 TDI), Peugeot (bound to be better this year with some competition and time) and the newly announced Aston Martin in the top class at Le Mans which would be tough to break into even the podium. Unless Porsche, with their RS Spyder(one class down from Audi), Acura, with their ARX, and Corvette, like rumored, move up a class or two for the Vettes, Toyota may have a chance to at east get noticed, their old car still holds records for top speed and fastest lap. Except that the hybrid system WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED on any car that would compete with the 911s by rule. The Toyota will be built as a TOYOTA, Lexus isn’t widely enough distributed yet worldwide, and not be badged/or built off of a street car as the hybrid system would only be allowed in LMP1 and so it would be a custom chassis like they did earlier with the GT-One. It would compete with Audi (prob no shot against the V12 TDI), Peugeot (bound to be better this year with some competition and time) and the newly announced Aston Martin in the top class at Le Mans which would be tough to break into even the podium. Unless Porsche, with their RS Spyder(one class down from Audi), Acura, with their ARX, and Corvette, like rumored, move up a class or two for the Vettes, Toyota may have a chance to at east get noticed, their old car still holds records for top speed and fastest lap.

]]> By: autonut http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html/comment-page-1#comment-353480 autonut Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:14:29 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html#comment-353480 I cant imagine the gas emanating from Lutz as he is reading this (at some pint he will read this or someone ought to tell him) I cant imagine the gas emanating from Lutz as he is reading this (at some pint he will read this or someone ought to tell him)

]]> By: Veda http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html/comment-page-1#comment-353475 Veda Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:03:51 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-to-enter-le-mans-race-with-hybrid.html#comment-353475 It'd be funny if they actually win the race or comes second after Audi... It’d be funny if they actually win the race or comes second after Audi…

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