Toyota wants to defend its electric record at Pikes Peak

After showing promising pace in official testing last weekend, Toyota feels confident in retaining - or even breaking - its electric road record of 10 minutes 15.380 seconds record set last year at the gruelling Pikes Peak Hill Climb. The two-day session at the course in Colorado ran smoothly for the team from Toyota Motorsport (TMG) and Toyota Racing Development U.S.A (TRD).

A half course run was made each day and the combined results from these indicate an overall improvement in timing. Multiple Pikes Peak record setter, Rob Millen, was at the wheel as fine tuning was carried out on the car's balance, braking, traction and cooling.

Since the car arrived in the U.S.A last month, the TRD team has made aerodynamic and other upgrades to the chassis. With the benefit of a three-fold increase in downforce and a new carbon ceramic braking system, the more powerful TMG EV P002 is ready to take on the competitive electric class. Its challenge will be supported by a pioneering off-board, battery-to-battery charging system, which provides a reliable power source at the Pikes Peak circuit, where there is no reliable local grid connection.

Data from the practice sessions has been used by engineers at TMG's Cologne technology centre to improve the electric powertrain. Motor speed and torque have been increased - with the unit tuned to deliver 536bhp and 1,200Nm of torque.