Toyota is facing new hypercar competition with its refinement of the GR010 LMH.

Posted on March 10, 2023
General
Toyota is facing new hypercar competition with its refinement of the GR010 LMH.

The 2023 World Endurance Championship will kick off soon with the Sebring 1000 Mile at Sebring International Raceway in Florida on March 17.

Several new entries are expected in the premier hypercar class this season, including the Ferrari and Vanwall LMH racing cars and the Cadillac and Porsche LMDh racing cars. [Toyota, Peugeot, and Glickenhaus will also enter their respective LMH racing cars. Toyota dominated last season, with Brendon Hartley, Ryo Hirakawa, and Sebastien Buemi taking the drivers' title and Toyota taking the manufacturers' title.

Despite this success, Toyota improved the GR010 Hybrid LMH for the new season. Toyota said it focused on optimizing the car's reliability and efficiency.

In terms of appearance, the 2023-spec car features new dive planes in the front corners and a smaller rear wing end plate to differentiate it from its predecessor. Slight changes have also been made to the bodywork, including new vents that can be changed during the race to improve brake cooling. To improve nighttime visibility, the headlight internals have also been modified.

The GR010 Hybrid's chassis has also undergone a weight reduction program, bringing the total weight down to 1,040 kg (approx. 2,293 lbs.), the minimum required by the new standards.

According to Toyota, adjustments were also made to the powertrain to reduce weight and improve reliability. It consists of a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 that drives the rear wheels and a single motor-generator that drives the front wheels; the V-6 engine delivers up to 697 hp and the electric motor up to 268 hp, but based on regulations the maximum output of the two power units combined is always limited to 670 hp.

Driving for Toyota this season are Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Jose Maria Lopez in number 7, and Buemi, Hartley, and Hirakawa in number 8.

You may also like

Nissan GT-R to debut electric car at 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon
Nissan GT-R to debut electric car at 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon

While it remains to be seen whether or not Nissan will include an electric powertrain in the next-generation R36 GT-R, the automaker has already built...

Jan 13

Rolls-Royce Restomod electrifies classic luxury cars
Rolls-Royce Restomod electrifies classic luxury cars

A U.K.-based company plans to electrify classic Rolls-Royce luxury cars beginning in spring 2026.Evice recently unveiled a prototype of its conversion...

Dec 25

CA Dealer Cries Foul, Tries to Stop Scout's Direct Sales Model
CA Dealer Cries Foul, Tries to Stop Scout's Direct Sales Model

The Volkswagen Group and its new EV brand, Scout, have drawn the ire of existing dealers in the state over California's dealer franchise law.Dealers i...

Dec 27


Trending

2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid unveiled for the first time
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid unveiled for the first time

Subaru has long offered hybrid versions of the Forester in other markets, but an electrified version of the popular compact crossover has finally arri...

Dec 26

McLaren 765LT recalled due to rear window falling out.
McLaren 765LT recalled due to rear window falling out.

McLaren has issued a recall of its 765LT hardcore supercar due to a rear window that may come off.The recall involves the 2021 model year 765LT coupe ...

Dec 24

First Retailer of the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 to Auction
First Retailer of the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 to Auction

With the arrival of the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and its screaming twin-turbo V-8 engine with 1,064 hp, the American sports car is about to reach h...

Dec 23