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Mirai and new Auris alongside motorsports display in Paris
Toyota Mirai
It looks like we managed to make 2 world ‘best’s come together: on the world’s most beautiful avenue, the Champs-Élysées in Paris, Le Rendez-Vous Toyota (this cool Concept Store we have) is currently hosting the world’s first production hydrogen-powered sedan, the new Toyota Mirai.
Yes, you understood well, the car that only emits water and that we also refer to as the ‘Future’[1] can be seen in real life.
Some facts:
Launched in Japan last December, and on sale in Europe as from September[2], the Mirai uses hydrogen as a source to generate the power needed to drive its motor while emitting only water. Seen that it’s zero emission it is great for the environment, it has a cruising range similar to a normal petrol vehicle and it can be refilled in as little as 3 minutes.
Auris Hybrid
The new Auris is also on display, the best-selling hybrid in Europe, including a cut-body exhibit to show what a hybrid engine actually looks like and how it works. On sale since June, the new Auris features a more sophisticated exterior design, improved sensory quality, a more pleasant drive and a new engine line-up.
Toyota Safety Sense
We also present Toyota Safety Sense, which is a new set of active safety technologies that help to prevent or reduce the impact of collisions in all sorts of traffic situations. All models equipped with Toyota Safety Sense will feature a Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA). Some further add Automatic High Beam (AHB) and Road Sign Assist (RSA). (To better understand these safety features visit our YouTube channel)
FT-1 concept
The beautiful Toyota FT-1 was unveiled in 2014 at the Detroit Motor Show and can been seen in France for the first time. This red concept model gives a glimpse of Toyota’s future sports car designs.
Motorsports heritage
Le Rendez-Vous Toyota is also celebrating Toyota’s motorsports heritage with a dedicated display.
We will let you meet our most famous race cars: the GT-One (TS020) which competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1998 and 1999, the 1999 World Rally Championship (WRC) winning Corolla WRC, and the TS040 HYBRID which won the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
The motorsports display is completed by several WRC and WEC pilots’ helmets and trophies.
Alongside the car displays, you can jump into a WEC driving simulator and enjoy the race or get your picture taken with your favourite Toyota WEC driver. It’s good fun, come and see us!
Located at 79 Avenue des Champs Élysées in Paris, Le Rendez-Vous Toyota is open from 10:30 am until 10:00 pm, Sunday to Wednesday, and from 10:30 am until midnight on Thursday to Saturday.
Follow the activities of the Rendez-Vous Toyota online:
www.facebook.com/lerendezvoustoyota
[1] Mirai means Future in Japanese
[2] Initial European sales are limited to Germany, Denmark and UK
Today Toyota announced its motorsports activities for 2015 during its annual Motorsports Press Conference in Japan. Highlights of the event were the announcement that Toyota will return to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2017 and confirmation of Toyota Racing’s driver line-up for the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship.
World Rally Championship (WRC)
Over the next two years Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) will continue its test programme with the Yaris WRC car to prepare for a full return to the series in 2017, when updated technical regulations are expected to be introduced.
The new Yaris WRC features a 1.6-litre turbo-charged, direct-injection engine, which produces over 300 hp, while its chassis has been shaped through advanced simulation, testing and production techniques.
Developed and built exclusively by TMG at its technical centre in Cologne, Germany, the car has already completed a preliminary test programme on tarmac and gravel stages throughout Europe, creating a promising foundation on which to build over the coming months.
Over the next two years, as the team moves closer to WRC participation, the car will undergo a full test programme consisting of several WRC venues around Europe on a variety of surfaces, its development slowly expanding with the dedicated team of specialists to engineer and operate the car also being increased.
Junior Development Programme
Alongside the honing and evolution of the Yaris WRC, TMG is also hoping to generate more stars behind the wheel with the launch of its Junior Development Programme.
The first beneficiary of the scheme is Frenchman Eric Camilli, 27, who has already tested the Yaris WRC. He will now carry out the development programme alongside experienced countryman Stéphane Sarrazin, also a racer in Toyota’s FIA World Endurance Championship team, and Sebastian Lindholm, a veteran Finnish driver.
A rich rallying heritage
When the Yaris WRC makes its competitive debut in 2017, it will mark almost two decades since Toyota’s last World Championship rally, in 1999.
That season marked the end of over 25 years of continuous rally activity at TMG, which began life as Andersson Motorsport GmbH – named after company founder Ove Andersson – and competed in WRC as Toyota Team Europe (TTE).
In those days, TTE participated with iconic cars such as the Celica Twincam Turbo – and GT-Four variants – and the Corolla WRC, and featured legendary drivers such as Carlos Sainz, Juha Kankkunen and Didier Auriol.
Since 1972, Toyota has achieved 149 podiums, 43 wins, four drivers’ and three manufacturers’ World Championship titles: a rich rallying heritage indeed.
World Endurance Championship
Toyota Racing will continue to race in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Last year, when it became possible to fully utilize the maximum potential of the hybrid system, the Toyota TS040 Hybrid won five out of eight races, winning the manufacturers’ and drivers’ world titles.
This year, the fourth year of participation, Toyota Racing will enhance its full-hybrid powertrain—the Toyota Hybrid System-Racing (THS-R)—aiming to extend both world titles, for the first time, win the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours (held June 13–14).
As World Champions, TOYOTA Racing will take the #1 and #2 plates while the individual driver line-ups have been fine-tuned for maximum performance.
The #1 car will feature drivers’ World Champions Anthony Davidson and Sébastien Buemi alongside Kazuki Nakajima. Alex Wurz, Stéphane Sarrazin and Mike Conway will share the #2 car.
Mark Webber podium photobomb
TOYOTA Racing fans were rewarded with the best possible Easter treat, as the team finished in first and second places in the opening round of the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship. (more…)
TOYOTA Racing TS040 HYBRID
You’ve heard it drive in anger on the race track. You’ve seen blurry and out of focus photos and video of it. At long last, it’s finally time to take the covers of TOYOTA Racing’s new 2014 contender for the FIA World Endurance Championships and Le Mans 24 Hours, the TS040 HYBRID. Click through the break for all the latest from the unveiling and the following FIA WEC Prologue official test. (more…)
All will be revealed end of March
So, you’ve seen the teaser images, you’ve heard its roar, now prepare for another taste of the TS040 HYBRID with our 2014 season trailer. Click through the break to catch exclusive new video. (more…)
History in one shot
In motorsport, it’s always about the next season, the next race. So at TMG, we are fully focused on the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship campaign, plus the TMG GT86 Cup season at the Nürburgring – and start is approaching fast.
But we also took the chance over the winter to take a look back on TMG’s motorsport heritage, all the way from 1979 when company founder Ove Andersson brought his rally team to Cologne up to 2013 when the TS030 HYBRID finished second at Le Mans. (more…)
Ready for 2014 WEC season
The TS040 HYBRID launch is coming soon, so soon in fact you can literally hear it with our exclusive sound clip of the new LMP1 car at full throttle. (more…)
First time outing for the TS040 HYBRID
The roll-out of a brand-new car is always a tense and unpredictable experience, and so it was again when TOYOTA Racing arrived at Paul Ricard earlier this month for the very first track test of the TS040 HYBRID. Click through to read more. (more…)
Both TS030 HYBRID in Bahrain
We’re live from the Bahrain International Circuit for the curtain closing FIA WEC 6 Hours of Bahrain (and the last competitive outing of our TOYOTA Racing TS030 HYBRID). For the 2013 season finale, we arrived in Bahrain with our full complement of drivers and both #7 and #8 cars. Click through to follow the race weekend.
TS030 HYBRId back in China
We head to China for the penultimate race of the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship season. Click through the break to follow TOYOTA Racing this weekend.