GT86 CS-R3 NEARS COMPETITIVE DEBUT

TOYOTA Motorsport GmbH is pleased to confirm the final details of the rear-wheel-drive GT86 CS-R3 rally car, which will make its competitive debut this year.

Cologne, Germany –  The CS-R3 prototype was launched last August and since then has completed an extensive test programme to optimise design and define the final specification of the kit which will be delivered to private competitors and teams.

Detailed development has generated improved performance on both gravel and tarmac, while reliability and durability have been prioritised in order to deliver a car which allows cost-effective competition throughout the season and beyond.

The CS-R3 has already proved immensely popular thanks to its rear-wheel drive powertrain, with 1,998cc, 238hp boxer engine and six-speed sequential transmission which combine to produce a spectacular driving experience.

The first cars will be delivered to customers in May, later than originally forecast to allow improvements highlighted during testing to be implemented. As a consequence TMG has extended its introductory discount. The CS-R3 kit, in either tarmac or gravel specification, costs €79,000 (excluding VAT) for orders made before 24 April 2015, representing a €5,000 discount on the standard retail price of €84,000 (excluding VAT).

The CS-R3 kit includes GT86 body shell, powertrain and all mechanical components required to build the car. Full details of the CS-R3 specification and kit contents can be found on www.toyota-motorsport.com/motorsport.

Homologation to FIA R3 regulations will be certified at the beginning of July, after which all CS-R3 cars will be eligible for national and international rallies, up to and including the World Rally Championship.

Fans will be able to see up to 10 CS-R3 cars in competition for the first time at the Rally Niedersachsen near Hanover on 4 July, the first round of the new HJS TMG CS-R3 Trophy.

The first competitors have already signed up to the Trophy, which offers over €5,000 of prize money for each of the seven rounds plus other benefits, and will run for at least the next three seasons.

Nico Ehlert, TMG Principal Engineer Customer Motorsport: “This is a significant milestone in the GT86 CS-R3 story which brings us one step closer to the car’s competitive debut. We have put a huge amount of effort into our testing and development programme in order to deliver a fast, reliable and spectacular car for drivers and fans alike. As always, there are a number of challenges with a new-car development; in this case we had quite some work to adjust our rear-wheel-drive car to regulations which were written with front-wheel cars in mind. It is extremely important to TMG that our cars live up to our customers’ high expectation so we have taken a little more time than originally predicted to complete the homologation process. This means we now have a car which, I believe, will exceed the expectations of our customers and keep the fans entertained.”

GT86 CS-R3 Technical Specifications:

Price
€79,000 (excluding VAT) for orders before April 24 2015
€84,000 (excluding VAT) standard price

Engine:
Type
FA20
Layout
Boxer, flat four
Displacement
1998 cc
Max. power
238hp
Max. torque
230Nm @ 6,800rpm
Exhaust
HJS racing exhaust and manifold
Fuel cell
FT3 safety cell

Transmission:
Type
Rear wheel drive
Gearbox
Drenth six-speed sequential
Differential
Limited slip, several ramp setting options available
Final drive
Short final drive, several options available
Clutch
Racing clutch with lightweight flywheel
Steering
Hydraulic power steering with short ratio

Chassis:
Bodywork
Steel monocoque bodyshell with roof ventilation
Roll cage
Homologated R3 safety cage
Length
4240 mm
Width
1775 mm
Wheelbase
2570 mm
Weight
1080 kg by regulation
Suspension
Front: MacPherson type
Rear: Multi-link
Shocks
Gravel: Reiger, adjustable three-way
Tarmac: Reiger, adjustable three-way
Stabilizer
Several options
Rims
Gravel: OZ 6” x 15”
Tarmac: OZ 7” x 17”
Brakes
Front Gravel: 300mm x 30mm
Tarmac: 330mm x 30mm
Rear Gravel: 295mm x 10mm
Tarmac: 295mm x 10mm
Caliper
Front: Alcon, four-piston brake caliper
Rear: Alcon, two-piston brake caliper

About TOYOTA Motorsport GmbH:
TOYOTA Motorsport GmbH (TMG) has been based in Cologne, Germany since 1979 and built its reputation in the World Rally Championship, winning four drivers’ and three manufacturers’ titles during two decades of competition. TMG was also the home of TOYOTA’s works Le Mans 24 Hours (1998-1999) and Formula 1 (2002-2009) teams and a tuning and sports conversion subsidiary (established in 1994). TMG has competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship since 2012, winning the drivers’ and manufacturers’ World Championship in 2014 with a hybrid-powered prototype. Since 2009, TMG is a leading engineering services supplier, offering its cutting-edge development facilities and know-how to a range of industries. In recent years TMG has developed a thriving customer motorsport business, selling cost-efficient but high-performance cars to private participants. The TMG CS-V3 race car has won its class in the Nürburgring 24 Hours for three consecutive years while it also forms the basis of the expanding TMG GT86 Cup within the popular VLN series. In rally, the TMG GT86 CS-R3 rally car was launched in summer 2014 and will compete for the first time in the hands of customers in 2015. Additionally, TMG is also a pioneer in electric vehicle development and is the current holder of the electric lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.