Toyota continues to break barriers in the automotive world, and their latest endeavor stretches to where hybrid technology and speed meet up. That's right, Toyota has recently announced plans to enter the Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race with a hybrid racer.

This isn't Toyota's first entry into the race, but Japanese car makers have yet to take home a victory, with the exception of Mazda way back in 1991. But this year, they plan to make history with the first hybrid-powered victory. Tadashi Yamashina, Toyota Motorsport Chairman says, "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."¹

Of course Toyota isn't the only automaker entering a hybrid into the race. Winning the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours with a hybrid would signal a huge leap in racing and sustainability in the automotive world. And Le Mans, too, is seeing a huge boom in manufacturing thanks to their decision to embrace alternative fuels this year.

Testing of the prototype racer has begun at Toyota's German race base, and will development and refinement will continue right up until the race in June. Be sure to stayed tuned with Magnussen's Toyota of Palo Alto for continued updates on this and other Toyota news. In the meantime, feel free to stop by and see us at 690 San Antonio Rd Palo Alto, CA 94306, we're happy to answer any of your questions or provide you with more info about any new Toyota models in our showroom.

Source: ¹http://www.echonews.com.au/story/2011/10/20/toyota-back-le-mans-challenge/