Toyota announces WRC plans

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Originally Posted by Doon

I thought Toyota said no entry to the WRC before 2017? It seems a little strange that they would spend over 2.5 years to develop a car, no? Surley if they have a car built now, it could be ready for 2016 or even 2015.

I know there are major rule changes for '17, but they don't know what they are yet, so why build a car which is probably be aligned with current regs (well, what else?) and never run it in competition?

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maybe some spot entries in 2016 and then full wrc assault in 2017

another hypothesis could be that 2017 rule changes will be postponed and toyota had some "insider" confirmation by Fia or asked for that kind of change

It's an independent project right now, Toyota Board is not involved at the moment. But there's a chance to see this Yaris in some WRC events in 2015, run by Motorsport Italia (as predicted last november...).

http://www.rallyemotion.it/8886_wrc-...-debutto-gara/

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Originally Posted by Doon

I thought Toyota said no entry to the WRC before 2017? It seems a little strange that they would spend over 2.5 years to develop a car, no? Surley if they have a car built now, it could be ready for 2016 or even 2015.

I know there are major rule changes for '17, but they don't know what they are yet, so why build a car which is probably be aligned with current regs (well, what else?) and never run it in competition?

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I think they're concentrating on the WEC with the new TS040; and I think that's a 3 year programme. The failed F1 programme left them badly burned - so are careful about spending too much on Motorsport programmes.
They'll return when they're ready and the regs suit - particularly hybrids.

sounds a bit like the vw wrc so it cant be too far off being a wrc

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Originally Posted by christy but

sounds a bit like the vw wrc so it cant be too far off being a wrc

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Yes it`s called independent but Toyota funded, the first tests must have been very secret since no one seems to have known about it, this was not the first test that now "leaked" to the media...

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Originally Posted by AMSS

Yes it`s called independent but Toyota funded, the first tests must have been very secret since no one seems to have known about it, this was not the first test that now "leaked" to the media...

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Toyota testing their new WRC car behind closed doors? Sounds about right, since that's exactly what they did with the Group A Celica GT-Four.

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Originally Posted by manthey

maybe some spot entries in 2016 and then full wrc assault in 2017

another hypothesis could be that 2017 rule changes will be postponed and toyota had some "insider" confirmation by Fia or asked for that kind of change

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I can agree with that... Why develop a car now that will be redundant anyway when the new rules comes?
I hope they will enter in -16 or maybe even late -15.

Don't know if anyone has seen it but here is a video and autosport.com has an article today woith lots of high-res photos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22LFPyyT5to

Already two years a go there were rumors that Toyota would come first as a supplier of private cars. It might be like that. They can enter in 2015 with private teams but wait for 2017 with manufacturer entry.

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Originally Posted by Mirek

Already two years a go there were rumors that Toyota would come first as a supplier of private cars. It might be like that. They can enter in 2015 with private teams but wait for 2017 with manufacturer entry.

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I doubt they'll use private teams instead of a full manu entry.

We can't forget the global automotive leadership fight between Toyota and VW (and GM).

Any sort of direct confrontation between these giants will only be possible with equivalent use of force and means.

All these back and forward Toyota wrc steps can be somehow linked with the unusual role of TMG. Other manus uses their motorsport departments to undertake precise programs (previously sanctioned by their marketing structure).

Apart the Le Mans/WEC participation, TMG seems to be a sort of motorsport r&d center with autonomy to undertake different projects that later could have, or not, superior approval.

That's why Italia Motorsport involvement seems to be merely instrumental (if not, the drivers line up should have be different and TMG stickers wouldn't be visible).

At the end let's hope that this Yaris test timing makes possible a 2015 manu entry, if there's a quick decision from Toyota administration.

..or they are waiting for the new regulations when WRC cars will be Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1 etc. :hmph: :D