Toyota to Race Lexus Hybrid in Tokachi 24-Hour Race
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 07. 5.06
Toyota has announced that its Lexus GS450h will compete in the Tokachi 24-hour endurance race in Hokkaido (in northern Japan) from July 15 to 17. The Lexus engineers are after technological feedback; they want to gather data to "provide insight into how to make hybrid systems smaller, lighter and more efficient," and they also want to learn more about "the potential of hybrid systems in motorsports." The main modifications to the car will be in the suspension, wheels and tires, a safety roll cage and fuel tank, some aerodynamic tweaks and a reduction of vehicle weight. It's interesting to note that the hybrid system itself seems unchanged. ::Toyota to Enter Hybrid Sedan in 24-hour Race, ::Lexus's New Hybrid: Will the Fast Make You Furious?
