Toyota is known for the hybrid technology it employs in vehicles targeted at the average urbanite or the family of four wanting lower fuel-consumption. But this year the automaker will place a petrol-electric hybrid power system in the body of a race car. The automaker's goal? Toyota hopes to become the first 24 hours of Le Mans team to win using a hybrid-powered vehicle.

While this is a tricky goal for any automaker, it is even more so for Toyota. It hasn't exactly had the best luck at Le Mans in the past. However, sometimes a little innovative thinking and a new plan of attack can make a big difference. We've already seen the meticulous eye of Toyota designers at work in models such as the Toyota 4Runner and Toyota Camry. Attention to detail plus the fact that Toyota has shown some serious dedication to green technology lately, gives Toyota of Muncie complete confidence in the automaker's Le Mans efforts.

Toyota Motorsport Chairman Tadashi Yamashina says, "Toyota Motor Corporation has entered Le Mans before but by using our hybrid technology this time will be a completely new challenge. We want to write a new page in the history of the Le Mans 24 Hours as well as in the FIA World Endurance Championship,"¹.

Five years ago, those who ran the Le Mans announced a push to welcome race cars running on alternative fuels, but so far no hybrids have won. The all-new Toyota hybrid racer power machine has high hopes though, and will begin its testing rounds sometime before the end of 2011. This should allot a generation portion of time to smooth out bumps before the actual race, which will take place in June of 2012.

As exciting as these hybrid advancements sound, Toyota of Muncie knows that not everyone can get behind the wheel of a Formula One racer. Thankfully, we have plenty of other new Toyota models that you can get a hold of. Feel free to contact us online or simply stop by 3311 N Nebo Muncie, IN 47304 to set up a test drive.

Source: ¹http://www.echonews.com.au/story/2011/10/20/toyota-back-le-mans-challenge/