Toyota will return to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2017 with the Toyota Yaris WRC, developed by it, at the technical center located in Germany, in Cologne.
Toyota Motor Corporation, through its president Akio Toyoda, announced at a press conference, held in Tokyo, the entry into the WRC, as well as presented the Toyota Yaris WRC with its official decoration worldwide.
Over the next 2 years, TMG, responsible for developing the car, will continue with the Toyota Yaris WRC testing program, in order to prepare for entry into this competition, in which it already holds 4 world titles for drivers and 3 for manufacturers achieved throughout the 1990s.
The Yaris WRC is equipped with a 1.6 liter turbo engine with direct injection, which develops a power of 300 hp. For the development of the chassis, Toyota used several techniques, such as simulations, tests and prototyping.
Although the official WRC program for Toyota has been confirmed, further development and fine tuning of details will follow, which will require dedicated teams of engineers and specialists to make the car even more competitive.
Several young drivers have already had the opportunity to test the car, such as the 27-year-old Frenchman Eric Camilli, who was selected from Toyota's junior driver program. Eric will join the Yaris WRC development program alongside French Tour de Corse rally winner Stéphane Sarrazin, who accumulates the task of Toyota driver in the FIA World Endurance Championship, and also Sebastian Lindholm.
The experience and data obtained will help Toyota prepare for the 2017 season, when new technical regulations must be introduced.