Toyota's Rally1 hybrid put to the test in Portugal

Next year the WRC will officially enter the hybrid era. For this reason, Hyundai, M-Sport et Toyota, the three manufacturers officially involved, are already working on their future car meeting these new regulations.

Toyota, for example, began its development program in Finland and was present this week in Portugal for a new series of tests.

We're ready to show you something new we've been working on… #ToyotaGAZOORacing #PushingTheLimitsForBetter #WRC pic.twitter.com/ecNQikhaM7

- Toyota GAZOO Racing WRT (@TGR_WRC) May 28, 2021

On Portuguese soil, it was Juho Hänninen who took the wheel of the Yaris hybrid version and was able to report his sensations to the team. " THE 2022 regulations change a lot compared to what we have had in recent years, explains Tom Fowler, technical director of Toyota. The most important is the introduction of a hybrid system which will bring additional power to the car. We also have a completely new chassis.

It's an exciting project. So much has changed. We had to go back to the design department to practically remake a new car (...) We collected a lot of data (during these tests in Portugal) which our engineers will study at our base camp in Finland to prepare for the next stages of development which will take place in Finland and elsewhere in Europe until the car is approved at the end of the year ».

Our exciting new hybrid Rally1 car for 2022 was put through its paces in Portugal this week 

See it in action and hear all about it from our technical director Tom Fowler #ToyotaGAZOORacing #PushingTheLimitsForBetter #WRCHybrid pic.twitter.com/ElOXS8VNCa

- Toyota GAZOO Racing WRT (@TGR_WRC) May 28, 2021

The beginnings of the hybrid era are planned for the Rally Monte Carlo 2022.