autoevolution
 

WRC Toyota Yaris First Tests in Tuscany

Last year, rumors were that Toyota want to re-enter the World Rally Championship and the company was already building a high spec Yaris for the job. Although nothing has been heard about the subject since then, the rumor gets confirmed now, as the automaker just started testing the new rally car in Italy.
Toyota Yaris WRC Testing 1 photo
Photo: screenshot from Youtube
This week, Toyota started testing its little Yaris warrior for the first time ever on some gravel roads around Tuscany region in Italy. However, the automaker didn’t said anything yet about when it will join the WRC, but we believe this will happen in 2016 or 2017 when new regulations are expected to arrive. The current Yaris is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and the car is more compact than what the actual rally competitors are.

Stephane Sarrazin and Sebastian Lindholm are expected to drive the new rally car. The first pilot you might know from racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans series, where he took second place in 2013 behind the wheel of the Toyota TS030 Hybrid. But prior to this, Sarrazin debuted in rallying back in 2004 at the Rally du Var with a Mitsubishi Lancer group N, after which he ran a Subaru in the 2005 WRC.

Sebastian Lindholm is a Finnish rally driver, cousin of Marcus Gronholm, who debuted in rallying back in 1985, winning many editions of Finland’s local championships.

If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories