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https://autorepmans.com/extimages/2014/01/478.jpg Toyota is teasing its all-new race car in the hopes of topping the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After placing second to the dominant Audi team at the 2013 race, Toyota went back to the drawing board and will debut its new TS-040 race car in the near future, replacing the TS-030 model. The new car has a width that has been reduced by 10cm to meet with new regulations and will trade its rear-wheel drive setup for a new all-wheel drive system. In addition to the V8 gasoline engine, the TS-040 will use a Denso hybrid system in the rear and an Aisin unit on the front axle, regenerating power under braking and turning that energy into added boost under acceleration. Toyota says the new prototype race car will serve as a test-bed for future models. Two cars will be competing this year, both in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Endurance Championship. The driver lineup remains unchanged from last year with drivers Alex Wurz, Nicolas Lapiere, Kazuki Nakajima, Anthony Davidson, Sebastien Buemi and Stephane Sarrazin. More info about the TS-040 will be shared when the car hits the track for its first test session on March 28 at the Paul Ricard Circuit in France.
