Toyota Confirm Plans To Complete In The 2012 Le Mans

Japanese manufacturer Toyota have confirmed that they will compete in the 24 hour Le Mans race next year.

It is the first time the manufacturer have entered into the race in a factory team since storming to victory with the GT-One with a record lap time in 1999. Although the team are currently keeping tight-lipped about their prospects in the race, it's thought they'll enter the race with a new hybrid LMP1 racer.

It's believed Toyota Motorsport in Germany will develop the new hybrid sports car, while the new hybrid drivetrain is expected to be imported from the manufacturer's HQ in Japan. It's expected further news will be announced later this year, with pre-season testing expected to start in early 2012.

The announcement is the latest sign that Toyota is placing a strong emphasis on electric-hybrid vehicles. In fact, just last month the Toyota Motorsport team hit the headlines after it smashed the electric car record at the Nurburgring with a battery car.

Commenting on the brand's decision to re-enter Le Mans, Toyota Motorsport chairman Tadashi Yamashina said: 'Toyota has entered Le Mans before, but by using our hybrid technology this time will be a completely new challenge. We want to write a new chapter in the history of the Le Mans 24 Hours, as in the FIA World Endurance Championship, through our use of hybrid technology. In addition, we aim to learn from the experience of competing in such a challenging motorsport environment to enhance our production car technology.'