Toyota Prepares for the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed

Toyota confirmed its participation at the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed, scheduled to take place on July 3-5. The Japanese automaker is lining up five notable debuts including the Lexus LF-A supercar, as well as the Lexus IS F, Alain Prost’s ice racing Toyota Auris and other classic Toyota rally cars.

The Lexus LF-A supercar will be one of the main attractions of the hill climb course, as it will make its first appearance in the UK. Both the V10-powered LF-A and the IS F took part at the Nurburgring 24-hour race, successfully completing the race.

Panasonic Toyota Racing will also attract the crowd with a display of F1 speed and technology, with the F1 star Timo Glock driving the Toyota TF108 grand prix car, the last F1 Toyota designed for the sport before the current restriction on wing sizes and additional aerodynamic elements were introduced.

The Toyota Sprint Series will have the 700 horsepower Fensport 4WD Celica GT4-X as its representative for the hill climb, while Alain Prost’s Toyota Auris, featuring a carbon fiber bodywork and a tuned version of the 3.2-liter V6 engine used on the Lexus RX, will be included in the festival’s static display.

Toyota will also bring to the festival its Group B Celica Twin-cam Turbo, Celica ST185, Celica GT4 ST205 and the WRC Corolla. The automaker’s display stand will offer visitors the chance to get a driver’s eye view from the cockpit in the pit stop challenge simulator, while showcasing classic and contemporary cars, such as the Toyota 7 Can-AM V8, TS010 Le Mans Car and Yaco Racing’s 2008 German Procar Championship-winning Auris S2000.

The Aygo Crazy and iQ Gazoo, and the Arctic-conquering Polar Hilux will also be on show. In the Technology Pavilion, Toyota will display versions of new Prius and iQ to illustrate its Hybrid Synergy Drive system.