Toyota to Enter Hybrid Sedan in 24-hour Race

TOKYO — July 4, 2006: Toyota Motor Corporation announced today that it plans to compete in Japan's only round-the-clock semi-international racing event with a Lexus GS450h hybrid sedan.

The grueling Tokachi 24-hour Race* race is set to take place at the Tokachi International Speedway in Hokkaido (in northern Japan) from July 15 to 17. By entering a Lexus GS450h, engineers, with an eye toward obtaining technological feedback for future mass-production vehicles, position the race as part of their ongoing developmental efforts, hoping it will provide insight into how to make hybrid systems smaller, lighter and more efficient. They also plan to collect data on the potential of hybrid systems in motorsports.

This marks the first time an automobile manufacturer has played a leading role in entering a hybrid vehicle in a competition that has semi-international status, such as the Tokachi 24-hour Race. Until now, in Japan, only private teams with self-owned hybrid vehicles have competed in independent events at various racing circuits.

Detailed specifications of the participating Lexus GS450h are described below.

* Officially, the "GTNET Super Taikyu Series 2006 Round 3 (GT Special Stage): 13th Tokachi 24-hour Race"

 
Specifications of Lexus GS450h Competing in Tokachi 24-hour Race


Vehicle name:     Denso Lexus GS450h 
Base vehicle:     Lexus GS450h (DAA-GWS191-BEXQH) 
Entry Class:      "Production-1" Class (hybrids & other environmentally
                   considerate vehicles)
                  Note: The entry vehicle is also recognized as a 2006 
                  Super vehicle exceptionally approved by the Super Taikyu
                  Organization (STO). 
Vehicle outline:  Maximum engine output:   218kW (296PS) / 6,400rpm 
                  Maximum motor output:    147kW (200PS) 
                  Maximum output of 
                   overall hybrid system*: 254kW (345PS) 
                  Vehicle weight:          1,550kg or higher (weight 
                                                 specified by STO for the Super
                                                 Taikyu Series) 
                  Main modifications of
                    equipment for race:     Front and rear suspensions
                                            Tires and wheels
                                            Safety roll cage
                                            Safety fuel tank
                                            Differential (mechanical LSD)
                                            Brake system
                                            Aerodynamic parts, reduced 
                                              vehicle weight, etc.  
Team name:         LEXUS team SARD (located at SARD Corporation, 
                   Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan) 
Driver:            Katsuyuki Hiranaka (Japan)
                   Andre Couto (Portugal)
                   Kohki Saga (Japan)
                   (Another driver to be decided at a later date.)  

* Output that system can achieve using engine power and motor power 
\(motor power is dependent on battery power) (based on TMC calculations)

References

1) Outline of SARD Corporation

The SARD Corporation was established in 1985 when the racing division of Sigma Automotive Co., Ltd. (est. 1972) became an independent company. It began competing in races in 1989 with TOYOTA TEAM SARD using the TOYOTA 89C-V racecar. In recent years, the company has been participating in the GT500 class of the Super GT racing series, using the Supra GT.

2) Outline of the Super Taikyu Series

One of the signature endurance racing series in Japan, initiated in 1991. The competition is between mass-produced vehicles, emphasizing the originality of these vehicles (divided into five vehicle classes, depending on engine displacement, powertrain type, seating capacity, etc.). This year's series consists of seven rounds. The Tokachi 24-hour Race, which is being held for the 13th time this year, is the only 24-hour endurance race in this series and the only semi-international one in Japan. (The official Japanese-language website of the Super Taikyu Series is at: http://www.so-net.ne.jp/s-taikyu/.)