2017 Toyota Yaris WRC
Toyota has unveiled the car that it will participate
in the 2017 World Rally Championship, entering the international rallying
scene again for the first time in 18 years.
Based on the Yaris, the new car certainly looks a
lot meaner than the prototype the world’s largest carmaker showed when it
announced its return to WRC early last year. The announcement of new
regulations for next year – which is meant to make for faster, more exciting
racing – would’ve sent the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRC Rally Team and Toyota
Motorsport GmbH (TMG) back to the drawing board.
The result is a much more aggressive look in keeping
with the spirit of the rule changes. There are larger fender flares, deeper air
dam and side sills and a more intricate rear wing that features more fins and
separate flics on the sides.
The regulations call for an unchanged 1.6 litre
turbocharged engine, but with larger air restrictors (from 33 mm to 36 mm)
bringing power outputs from 300 hp up to WTCC levels at 380 hp. The minimum
weight has also dropped by 25 kg, while an active centre differential is now
allowed to be used again.
It has also been announced that Microsoft has joined
as a technology partner for the team. The Redmond-based tech giant will assist
Toyota in developing a data analysis platform, creating a team information
sharing system and enhancing communication with fans through the cloud and
Microsoft’s display devices.
The collaboration builds on an existing partnership
between the two companies, which has recently resulted in the new Toyota
Connected user experience and product development company. Other companies that
have signed on to the WRC project include Michelin, machining tools supplier
DMG Mori and Panasonic.
