The Japanese manufacturer Toyota has announced that it has received a high level of interest from customer teams wishing to acquire its new car for the World Rally Championship (WRC), currently under development and scheduled for 2027.
As the only traditional automotive manufacturer working on a vehicle according to the new technical regulations of the WRC that will come into effect in 2027, Toyota has positioned itself as a leader in this field. Other preparation operations, such as Project Rally One and RMC Motorsport, have also confirmed their plans to develop vehicles tailored to the new standards.
As the durability testing phase concludes this summer, Toyota is approaching a key moment in the development of its vehicle. The specific model on which the new car will be based has not yet been announced.
According to the new FIA regulations, manufacturers must make their vehicles available for customers. This means they will need to produce at least 10 units within a 24-month period from vehicle homologation. In addition, they must be able to supply at least 10 competitive cars per year.
With less than six months before the start of the 2027 season in Monte Carlo, Toyota’s car has already generated significant interest among potential teams. Toyota’s technical director, Tom Fowler, has commented that several teams have expressed their desire to sign up for the list to obtain a vehicle, although there is still some confusion about the categories in which they can be used.
Among the interested teams is Teo Martin Motorsport, which is currently competing with the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. Its head, Teo Martin, has confirmed during an interview that he intends to purchase at least two vehicles from Toyota for the new regulation. The first car is expected in December, and there is consideration for obtaining a second car before the Monte Carlo Rally.
Currently, Toyota is working on a production program for building its WRC 2027 vehicles, focused on meeting the needs of client teams next year. Fowler has acknowledged that the start of production could be limited by access to key components such as transmissions and engines, but the goal is to increase production capacity as the program advances.
After its experience in introducing other competition vehicles, Toyota is aware that the initial number of available cars could be limited, but it is confident in being able to meet long-term demand.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
