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Toyota reveals updated TS040 Hybrid LMP1 for 2015 [w/videos]

Toyota has yet to defeat Audi at Le Mans. In fact, nobody has in the past fifteen years except for Peugeot (which won in 2009) and Audi's own sister company Bentley (which took the checkered flag in 2003). But Toyota did win the broader FIA World Endurance Championship last season, beating its German rivals in five out of eight rounds. That means the Japanese automaker is returning to top-level endurance racing this season as the reigning champions, and this is the car with which it aims to defend its title. The 2015 Toyota TS040 Hybrid is closely based on last year's winning version, but has been updated to comply with the latest tweaks to the regulations. A new crash structure meant redesigning the front end, the aerodynamics package has been thoroughly revised, the suspension reconfigured and extra weight has been cut. All told, Toyota says it redesigned 80 percent of the parts on board. Each team running a hybrid prototype has an array of choices over what combination of internal-combustion and electric boost it will run, but Toyota opted to stay in the 6MJ category for 2015, the electric boost working in tandem with the 3.7-liter V8 to give the TS040 a combined output of over 1,000 horsepower. The team also developed two aero kits: one for high-speed circuits like La Sarthe that warrant reduced drag, and the other for tighter tracks requiring increased downforce. The revised TS040 has already undergone over 15,000 miles of testing in southern Europe over the winter. But the real test will come at Silverstone in two weeks for the opening round of the 2015 championship when it will have to fend off a two-pronged German assault from both Audi and Porsche ahead of the headline event at Le Mans in June. We'll be watching to see who comes out on top this year, but for now you can watch footage of Toyota's latest in the pair of videos below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Mar. 26, 2015 A New Era for the World Champions Toyota Racing enters the 2015 World Endurance Championship ready to start a new era with the defence of its two titles. Toyota became the first Japanese company to win the World Championship during a very successful 2014 season, which saw Anthony Davidson and Sebastien Buemi also win the drivers' title.

Toyota FCV Concept comes one step closer to reality

When Toyota first conceptualized a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle for mainstream Americans to drive, the initial response was pretty skeptical. Still, through relentless engineering and solid product after solid product, Toyota has built the Prius brand into the dominant force in the hybrid car market.
Something like that plan of attack is what the Japanese company is preparing for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, as well, and that attack is seeing a critical salvo fired today with the debut of this FCV Concept at the Tokyo Motor Show.
Though there's nothing substantive to be said about rumors of a 300-mile range or a sticker price around $50,000, the FCV concept does offer a few technical details. The sharp-beaked concept makes use of two high-pressure hydrogen tanks and boasts a power output density of three kilowatts per liter.

Recharge Wrap-up: LA Auto Show may feature updated Cadillac ELR, Uber expands Chicago HQ

A Kentucky man has converted his 1939 Dodge pickup to an electric vehicle. Al Gajda of Lexington built the electric truck, which he now uses as his daily driver. "I take advantage of any excuse to drive it; just banging around town, errands, short runs on the interstate, delivering my granddaughter to school in the morning," he says. It is powered by a lithium-ion phosphate battery, which is mounted in a wooden box on the truck bed, and gets about 100 miles per charge. Read more at the Lexington Herald-Leader. Elon Musk will speak at the Automotive News World Congress in January. The Tesla CEO is a featured speaker for the program, "Setting the Pace in a Thriving Market." The event takes place in Detroit, which could lead to an interesting mix of people in the audience, and Musk will speak on January 13. Read more at Automotive News. Production of the Toyota Rav4 EV has ended. The shipment of the final Toyota EVs concludes Toyota's deal to source batteries from Tesla. Of the 2,600 Rav4 EVs to be produced, there are probably just a few hundred left to be sold, most of which are likely to be gone by the end of October. Read more at Inside EVs. Cadillac will likely show an improved version of the ELR at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. The 2016 ELR will include unspecified "engineering enhancements," according to Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell. There will be no 2015 model, as the 2014 model will be sold until the 2016 ELR goes on sale in the first half 2015. Read more at Edmunds. Uber executives, along with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, have announced a major expansion of the ride-hailing company's Chicago headquarters. Uber also plans to add 420 jobs by the end of 2016. "Uber's new expanded headquarters will allow the company to continue its rapid growth and serve its riders and drivers throughout Illinois," says Governor Quinn. Last month, Quinn vetoed legislation that would have put restrictions on companies like Uber in the state. Read more in the press release below. Governor Quinn and Uber Announce Major Chicago Headquarters Expansion Innovative Ridesharing Company to Add 420 Jobs by End of 2016 CHICAGO, Sept. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Pat Quinn and Uber executives today announced that the ridesharing giant is moving forward with creating 420 new jobs by the end of 2016 in a major expansion of its Chicago regional headquarters.