Toyota is returning to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2017 with a Yaris WRC car. It was developed and built by the Toyota Motorsport (TMG) technical centre in Cologne, Germany. Over the next two years the team will make tests of the car, which will prepare it for a full return to the racing series. This announcement was made by company's President, Akio Toyoda, at a news conference in Tokyo. The Yaris WRC also made its public debut there.

The car is driven by a 1.6-litre turbo-charged, direct-injection engine, which generates over 300 hp (221 kW). In addition, advanced simulation, testing and production techniques have shaped the Yaris chassis.

Furthermore, the development of the car will be expanded and the dedicated team of specialists assigned to engineer and operate the car will be increased. Several young drivers already tested the car. This resulted in the selection of Eric Camilli, 27, who has been chosen to be the first member of a junior driver development scheme.

Camilli will cooperate in this program with Stéphane Sarrazin, 2014 Tour de Corse winner, as well as with Sebastian Lindholm. The experience which will be gained from the test program will help Toyota prepare the car for the 2017 season. This is when updated technical regulations are expected to be introduced.

Toyota Yaris WRC is expected to make a competitive debut in 2017. This is more than 17 years since the company's last world championship rally. Back in 1999, the company marked the end of over 25 years of continuous rally activity with 43 wins achieved.

Toyota Yaris WRC Technical Specifications:

Chassis:

Type Steel body shell
Brakes 300mm discs on gravel, 355mm on tarmac
Wheels Wheels 7 x 15" gravel, 8 x 18" tarmac
Tyres Michelin
Dimensions Length: 3910mm
Width: 1820mm

Powertrain:

Engine capacity 1.6 litres
Type In-line four-cylinder
Direct injection Up to 200bar
Fuel Petrol
Turbo pressure 2.5 bar absolute (maximum)
Air restrictor 33mm
Power Around 300hp (at 6,000rpm)
Torque 420Nm
Max revs 8,500rpm
Transmission Six-speed sequential
Clutch ZF Sachs

Toyota Yaris WRC (2015)
Toyota Yaris WRC (2015) - picture 1 of 15
Toyota Yaris WRC (2015) - picture 2 of 15
Toyota Yaris WRC (2015) - picture 3 of 15
Toyota Yaris WRC (2015) - picture 4 of 15
Toyota Yaris WRC (2015) - picture 5 of 15
Toyota Yaris WRC (2015) - picture 6 of 15
Toyota Yaris WRC (2015) - picture 7 of 15
Toyota Yaris WRC (2015) - picture 8 of 15

Video Source: YouTube

Source: Toyota Motorsport