Aha, so the current road-going Yaris was given a third facelift this year, which coincided with the WRC entry. The model is now 6 years old, with an all-new varient due in 2019/20, so TGR will have to create a new car then.
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I believe that Avensis is even older...could be another FL again (or are there other talks about a completely new chassie in the article).
Homologation special Yaris for WRC?
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/toyota/...o-help-wrc-bid
So what will that mean for the proposed Yaris R5, will they hold off for the new model or enter the category with the current shape?
Firstly they have to start building one. VW announced its plans in late 2016 i think and the car will debut in ADAC 2018+ they already have a testmule based on the same platform (Fabia r5), so it`s not 1-2-3. Maybe they have started it already in some way but if i remember correctly, Mäkinen said it will be made in Tallinn and their new division there will be ready in a few months time. 2019 is here quite soon...
That’s quite interesting and unexpected. A WRC car is a sort of a proto based on a standard bodyshell/platform. If they want to build a new WRC based on future Yaris, the 25.000 units won’t need 4wd or a top engine like the old Gr.A special homologations. Right?
Interesting news indeed. VW also did it with their Polo R WRC (the road car), which was different from the standard version by more than just a bigger engine. The drivetrain or engine is not really an issue, because by regulation they can be changed. The bodyshell is more of a problem, because it comes from the production car and the scope of modification is very limited. So if they can optimise the base chassis already, it could prove to be very good return on investment of re-tooling/re-organising the production line "only" to make 25000 cars. It's quite smart really.
I'm miss a little bit... so if Lindstrom will be in Australia in new role with a team - so Juho without co-driver or last rally for Juho and Toyota will be GB?
you have missed a lot then, GB will be Juhos final rally.