After an exceptional year in 2014, with the World Champion Constructors and Drivers titles for Sébastien Buemi and Anthony Davidson, Toyota Racing experienced a more complicated 2015 season, the TS040 Hybrid's performances did not measure up to Audi and Porsche. The Japanese manufacturer then decided to develop an all-new car, the TS050 Hybrid, with a different design than its "big sister."

So, out with the aspirated engine and in with the turbo. Ditto for the supercapacitor that stores energy recovered during braking, which will make room for a lithium-ion battery, like Porsche. Toyota is looking to enter its car in the 8 Megajoules class, the highest, for the recovery and return of energy.

The TS050 Hybrid will still share some similarities with its predecessor since the fuel used will again be petrol, like Porsche, and the energy recovery will once again take place at the front and rear axles, unlike Audi happy with one axle and Porsche which also recovers exhaust.

At least one change is on the menu in terms of drivers as a result of the retirement of Alexander Wurz, two-time winner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Fans will not have to wait until March 24th as the Japanese manufacturer will announce the names of its drivers in early February.

Like Audi and Porsche, Toyota has started its test sessions for the 2016 World Endurance Championship (WEC) season and in the hopes of finally scoring a win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 19th.

Cécile Bonardel / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, THURSDAY JUNE 11 2015, QUALIFYING. The Toyota TS040 will make room for the TS050 in 2016.