WRC: Toyota GT86 CS-R3 finally ready to race

Toyota Motorsport announced their new rally car GT86 CS-R3 is finally ready to race. After few months of prolongation GT86 CS-R3 is finally homologated and became the first new rear-wheel-drive rally car to be granted FIA homologation in the 21st century. The car is now eligible to compete in any rally which runs to FIA regulations, including the World Rally Championship.

Toyota’s new car is inspired by rally heritage of Japanese manufacturer, remembering its first successes in the 1980s with the rear-wheel drive Celica Twincam Turbo, a multiple Safari Rally winner. GT86 CS-R3 is intended to be sold to for private customers, delivering a competitive R3 car which combines the racy good looks of the road-going GT86 with spectacular rally performance.

Significant effort has gone into the two-litre, normally-aspirated boxer engine which, like the car, is not a familiar configuration in R3. To add a further challenge, R3 regulations required the compression ratio to be decreased from the road car standard. Using TMG’s state-of-the-art engine development tools, changes to the engine internals and software have resulted in a maximum power of 232hp, and peak torque of 235Nm. To deliver a true motorsport feel, the CS-R3 has a six-speed sequential transmission from gearbox specialists Drenth designed specifically for rear-wheel-drive cars, and limited slip rear differential.

Toyota will demonstrate the CS-R3 on selected events this year prior to the inaugural season of the HJS R3 Trophy which takes place within the framework of the German Rally Championship and begins in 2016. The Trophy will feature up to 10 CS-R3 cars and offers over 5000 euros of prize money at each round, with a commitment to run for at least the next three seasons. The CS-R3, including complete chassis and powertrain, is sold in kit form for 84,000 euros (excluding VAT).

Nico Ehlert, Principal Engineer Customer Motorsport: “Finalising the homologation of the CS-R3 is a big moment for TMG and also an exciting one for rallying. It is a long time since a new rear-wheel-drive car has been FIA homologated so this has presented some challenges in the development phase. We have worked hard while some have doubted us without knowing the full picture. But we are grateful for the patience of those supporting our project and we believe that seeing the car in action proves it is really worth the wait.

The reaction of fans and drivers has been even more satisfying; it’s clear there is a huge support for TOYOTA in rallying and many still remember the pure spectacle of a rear-wheel-drive car at full throttle on the stages. We are proud to have brought those two factors together and we look forward to a successful new era for the CS-R3.”