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Toyota will enter a works team in the 2012 Le Mans 24 hours sportscar race for the first time since they almost won in 1999.
Toyota Motorsport said in a statement that the entry would be for a petrol hybrid car based on an LMP1 prototype chassis with the powertrain produced in Japan.
Toyota said the official name of the team would be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Toyota Motorsport chairman Tadashi Yamashina said: "By using our hybrid technology this time will be a completely new challenge"
HYBRID TECH
"We want to write a new page in the history of the Le Mans 24 Hours, as well as in the FIA World Endurance Championship, through our use of hybrid technology."
Toyota's last foray to Le Mans saw them qualify on pole position and finish second to BMW.
The Japanese carmaker has been seeking a new challenge in top level motorsport since they pulled out of Formula 1 at the end of 2009.
Audi have won Le Mans 10 times in the last 12 years, with the 2011 race turning into a diesel-engined battle between Peugeot.
Toyota Motorsport said in a statement that the entry would be for a petrol hybrid car based on an LMP1 prototype chassis with the powertrain produced in Japan.
Toyota said the official name of the team would be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Toyota Motorsport chairman Tadashi Yamashina said: "By using our hybrid technology this time will be a completely new challenge"
HYBRID TECH
"We want to write a new page in the history of the Le Mans 24 Hours, as well as in the FIA World Endurance Championship, through our use of hybrid technology."
Toyota's last foray to Le Mans saw them qualify on pole position and finish second to BMW.
The Japanese carmaker has been seeking a new challenge in top level motorsport since they pulled out of Formula 1 at the end of 2009.
Audi have won Le Mans 10 times in the last 12 years, with the 2011 race turning into a diesel-engined battle between Peugeot.