Photo : - Rebellion Racing

The world's leading auto constructor announced its return to endurance racing last month. Today, we know the specifications of the engine to be used by the two Rebellion Lolas.

The description of this engine is RV8 "Racing V8" giving the prefix that was used for Toyota racing engines for many years. The current Toyota engine in Formula Nippon is the specification of K, and it is the latter that has been adapted by Toyota Motorsport for Le Mans, adding the initials "LM" and to give his full name RV8KLM.

To accommodate the specific requirements of endurance racing and the retrictor flanges on the intake required by the  "Le Mans" regulations, Toyota Motorsport has changed the compression ratio and optimized the engine power, delivering more than 500 hp in a reliable package.

Development began in early 2010 and testing on engine test benches at Toyota Motorsport started in June 2010, and concluded a shakedown at Snetterton in England in October.

The first comprehensive test on the track for the engine RV8KLM was at Monteblanco in Spain, where more than 750 km have been completed in two days before another test two days at Portimao in Portugal, where more than 1,100 km have been traveled.

Toyota Motorsport GmbH engine specifications LMP1
Designation Toyota RV8KLM
Displacement 3400 cc
Configuration V8 90 - Double overhead cams, four valves per cylinder
Aluminum cylinder block
Fuel, petrol (conforming to regulatory specifications of the ACO)
Weight Approximately 120 kg
Power> 500 hp
Air intake flange 2 x 30.6mm
Engine Management Electronics Pectel MQ12 by Cosworth
Dry sump lubrication
Water cooled

Julien Hergault - from Rebellion Racing press information

Photo: PRESENTATION OF TOYOTA V8, January 26, 2011. Toyota will be the exclusive partner of  Rebellion in Intercontinental Le Mans Cup.