Toyota Motorsports Announces GT86 CS-R3 Rally Car
Toyota Motorsports GmbH (TMG) will offer a rally-ready version of its GT86 (the overseas version of our Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S). Based on the TMG GT86 CS-V3 (pictured above), which has already found success at the Nürburgring 24 Hours race, the GT86 CS-R3 rally car will be built to compete in FIA-sanctioned rally races, including the World Rally Championship.
R3 regulations mean this rear-drive racer will get a sequential six-speed transmission, limited-slip differential, racing brakes, plus other upgrades, including modifications to the engine.
According to Nico Ehlert, Principal Engineer Customer Motorsport, “With rear-wheel drive we can expect some dramatic action which is sure to be entertaining for drivers and fans alike.” Our thoughts exactly.
TMG will also be providing technical support to the private buyers who opt to race the GT86 CS-R3. And, if TMG is correct in estimating demand, we can expect to see a lot of examples of this car running in rally stages starting in the 2015 season.
Pricing and complete specifications will be announced in the coming months, according to TMG.
Scroll down for more details in the press release below.
R3 Rally Car Announced
TOYOTA Motorsport GmbH (TMG) is proud to announce it will develop a GT86 R3 rally car as part of its customer motorsport programme.
The rear-wheel drive sports car will be converted to R3 specification and made available to private competitors, with delivery expected for the 2015 season.
The car, which will be known as the TMG GT86 CS-R3, will be built according to R3 regulations, meaning it will have a six-speed sequential gearbox, limited slip differential, modified engine, adapted brakes and other upgrades.
Drawing on the experience of developing the TMG GT86 CS-V3 race car for the Nürburgring-based VLN series, TMG engineers will modify the base car to the maximum level permitted within the regulations.
The TMG GT86 CS-R3 is targeted at private customers and is eligible for all FIA-sanctioned rallies, up to and including the World Rally Championship. Full specifications and pricing will be announced in the coming months.
Today’s announcement strengthens TMG’s commitment to customer motorsport and rallying, both of which represent key aspects of its long-term business strategy.
With a Yaris R1A already launched plus the ongoing development of a Global Race Engine, TMG is expanding and strengthening its knowledge of rallying and drawing on its proud history in the sport.
TMG’s very existence is founded on rally, having begun life in Cologne in 1979 as Toyota Team Europe (TTE). Under Ove Andersson, the company went on to win four drivers’ and three manufacturers’ World Championships.
Nico Ehlert, Principal Engineer Customer Motorsport: “Rallying is in our blood at TMG so it is very exciting to announce that we will be expanding our rally operations. The GT86 CS-R3 promises to be a thrilling car on the rally stages; with rear-wheel drive we can expect some dramatic action which is sure to be entertaining for drivers and fans alike. Through our experience with the TMG GT86 Cup and the TMG GT86 CS-V3 race car we have built a solid infrastructure for customer motorsport over the past few years. We will draw on this to deliver a reliable, safe and high-performance car, plus all the required technical support, for our customers. We expect demand to be high so we are looking forward to seeing a lot of GT86 CS-R3 rally cars in action from the beginning of the 2015 season.”
Racing by TMG: The customer racing arm of TOYOTA Motorsport GmbH (TMG) is identified by the “racing by TMG” logo, which encompasses race and rally projects designed exclusively for private participants. TMG returned to the world of customer motorsport in 2012 with the launch of the Yaris R1 entry-level rally car, while the same year saw the introduction of the TMG Customer Sport V3 (CS-V3) race car. That car won its class in the Nürburgring 24 Hours and forms the basis of the expanding TMG GT86 Cup, run within the Nürburgring-based VLN series.
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