Toyota TS040 Hybrid
Toyota's LMP1 hybrid racer for the 2014 and 2015 WEC seasons.
The Toyota TS040 Hybrid, a Le Mans Prototype 1 (LMP1) vehicle, was constructed and campaigned by Toyota Motorsport GmbH during the 2014 and 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship seasons. Design work began in November 2012, following the release of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest's (ACO) updated technical regulations, with Toyota shifting its resources to the project after the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans. Aerodynamically, the TS040 improved upon its forerunner, the TS030 Hybrid, and its layout permitted four-wheel drive. Two kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) regenerative-braking units, located on the front and rear axles, charged a supercapacitor; under the 2014 rules, this placed the car in the 6 MJ class. The engine, carried over from the TS030, had its displacement increased from 3.4 to 3.7 liters for greater efficiency, delivering 513 horsepower to the rear wheels.
The TS040 debuted before the press at the preseason test session on March 26 at Circuit Paul Ricard, accumulating 25,000 kilometers of testing before the 2014 season commenced. Toyota fielded two cars with six drivers across the season. The No. 8 entry, driven by Nicolas Lapierre, Anthony Davidson, and Sébastien Buemi, won the first two races. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Lapierre aquaplaned and crashed, but the car recovered to finish third. Following the crash, Lapierre was replaced, and Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima secured two more victories and an additional podium, clinching the 2014 World Endurance Drivers' Championship. Consistent results from Alexander Wurz, Stéphane Sarrazin, Kazuki Nakajima, and reserve driver Mike Conway earned Toyota the World Endurance Manufacturers' Championship at the season finale, the 6 Hours of São Paulo.
After the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans, the car underwent further development to align with 2015 regulations. Changes included a revised front end, a new suspension designed to extend tire life, an upgraded supercapacitor for improved performance, and two distinct body kits to tailor the car to specific circuits. The season opened with a third-place finish for the No. 1 car (Buemi, Nakajima, and Davidson) at the 6 Hours of Silverstone, but the TS040 struggled against rivals Audi and Porsche over the remaining seven rounds. The No.
Quick Facts
- Car Name
- Toyota TS040 Hybrid
- Category
- LMP1-H
- Constructor
- Toyota
- Designer
- Pascal Vasselon
- Predecessor
- Toyota TS030 Hybrid
- Successor
- Toyota TS050 Hybrid
- Team
- JPN Toyota Racing
- Drivers
- Austria Alexander Wurz · FRA Nicolas Lapierre · JPN Kazuki Nakajima · GBR Mike Conway · GBR Anthony Davidson · FRA Stéphane Sarrazin · CHE Sébastien Buemi
- Chassis
- Carbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb monocoque
- Front Suspension
- Independent
- Length
- 4650 mm (2015)
- Height
- 1050 mm (2015)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Work on the TS040's design began in November 2012, when the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) published its 2014 technical regulations, and Toyota utilised its resources after the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car was shown to the press for the first time at the 26 March preseason test session at Circuit Paul Ricard, and was driven 25000 km before the start of the 2014 season. Toyota supplied two cars, driven by six drivers, for the season. Nicolas Lapierre, Anthony Davidson and Sébastien Buemi won the season's opening two races in the No. 8 car; Lapierre aquaplaned, crashing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans before recovering to finish third. After the crash, Lapierre was dropped and Buemi and Nakajima won two more races and had another podium finish to win the 2014 World Endurance Drivers' Championship. Consistent performances from Alexander Wurz, Stéphane Sarrazin, Kazuki Nakajima and reserve driver Mike Conway won Toyota the World Endurance Manufacturers' Championship at the season-ending 6 Hours of São Paulo.
Reader's Guide
The TS040 Hybrid was developed under the new LMP1 regulations that aimed to improve driver safety and enhance visibility. Its design permitted four-wheel drive, and the chassis consisted of carbon fibre and aluminium materials. The car's engine was carried over from the TS030 Hybrid, with displacement increased from 3.4 L to 3.7 L for better efficiency. The TS040's aerodynamic design was conducted at Toyota Motorsports' wind tunnel in Cologne, and the car was refined with hardware-in-the-loop technology. For the 2015 season, new regulations required an 80-per cent redesign, including a new front-end crash structure, optimised suspension, and two body kits for different track types. Although the season began with a third-place finish for the No. 1 car at the 6 Hours of Silverstone, the TS040 struggled against rivals Audi and Porsche in the seven remaining rounds before the No. 2 entry finished second at the season-ending 6 Hours of Bahrain; Toyota placed third in the World Endurance Manufacturers' Championship. The TS040 was replaced by the TS050 Hybrid for the 2016 season.
Did You Know?
- The car's hybrid system used two KERS devices charging a Nisshinbo supercapacitor.
- Toyota chose the 6 MJ class because the 8 MJ class had a negative effect on lap time due to additional weight.
- Mike Conway joined Toyota as their test and reserve driver in late 2013.
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