Toyota announces WRC plans

[makinen_fan]

I think this extended video was not posted before. Sound really nice!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2CxfhWsrOs

[Rallyper]

I think this extended video was not posted before. Sound really nice!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2CxfhWsrOs

Icredible sound. More like the Polos´ and a good reminder of what´s coming from Toyota...

[Sulland]

FIA will keep Toyota in the loop on Car regulations, so they can build the right car;
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/113089

[AndyRAC]

They launched the new TS040 this morning; with nearly 1000BHP of combined hybrid/ petrol engine power.

And the 'hybrid' part is the important bit - I personally think, if the 2017 regs allow hybrids, they'll join. If not, they won't. By 2017, a 1.6T/ 1.4T petrol engine is hardly cutting edge.
Why leave a series which encourages hybrids and new technology to join the WRC?

[Doon]

If the FIA introduce rules for hybrid cars in 2017 cost will esculate and not be reduced.

R5 is the way forward. By 2017 4 or 5 manufacturers will have built cars, and we'd have entry lists full of top flight cars.

They just need to 'beef' up the sound, bit more power, bit more sideways for the fans and it's a winning formula.

[Mirek]

R5 is the way forward. By 2017 4 or 5 manufacturers will have built cars, and we'd have entry lists full of top flight cars.

I'm not convinced about that. So far the cars showed quite bad reliability even in much shorter events than WRC ones. The cars and parts are relatively cheap but the durability of parts is much worse than with S2000.

They just need to 'beef' up the sound, bit more power, bit more sideways for the fans and it's a winning formula.

That don't come without further rise of cost.

[itix]

If the FIA introduce rules for hybrid cars in 2017 cost will esculate and not be reduced.

R5 is the way forward. By 2017 4 or 5 manufacturers will have built cars, and we'd have entry lists full of top flight cars.

They just need to 'beef' up the sound, bit more power, bit more sideways for the fans and it's a winning formula.

I agree with that... complication and cost is not what rally cars need right now. The only reason F1 can pull it off is because it is a much more popular sport

Maybe if Citroën stays, msport, toyota, hyudai and hitlerwagen get a good mix of drivers and liven up the championship battle with lots of close fights, the sport will grow in popularity, costs can be justified and ~2025 rules will include hybrids, who knows?

[Karukera]

Maybe if Citroën stays, msport, toyota, hyudai and hitlerwagen get a good mix of drivers and liven up the championship battle with lots of close fights, the sport will grow in popularity, costs can be justified and ~2025 rules will include hybrids, who knows?

Welcome aboard.
You will be flamed for a part of that post although true during a certain period of time.

Like Doon suggests, R5 could be one of the ways forward if FIA decides so. Reliability issues will be seriously addressed with commitment.

[Mirek]

Like Doon suggests, R5 could be one of the ways forward if FIA decides so. Reliability issues will be seriously addressed with commitment.

First that would definitely rise cost. Second point is that it's questionable if that can be successful. R5 rules are based on using plenty of stock parts which won't be developed along with the tailor-made ones.

[Karukera]

We should be discussing this in the 'WRC Foresight' thread.
Costs would inevitably grow with any non existing or sub category becoming a big FIA series.
The actual question is what do they want to do with the sport ? how far in the cost vs performance vs go Green compromise ?

I reckon times will change quickly and radically.