Published June 7, 2012
By Philippe Crowe
Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) will demonstrate its high-performance electric powertrain technology on one of North America’s most demanding motorsport events; the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado on July 8.
Last year TMG set a new electric lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife with the road-legal TMG EV P001 car, a record which still stands today.
TMG’s advanced electric and electronic department has spent the past months developing on an updated electric powertrain, which is more powerful and more durable than its predecessor.
That high-performance electric powertrain is the heart of the new TMG EV P002 car, which will compete at Pikes Peak as part of a project from Japanese company RK1 Inc. Multiple Japanese rally champion Fumio Nutahara will drive the car which features prominent branding from Yokohama.
Based on a Radical chassis, the TMG EV P002 has a predicted top speed of 149 mph in Pikes Peak configuration, with combined maximum power of 350kW from its two axial flux motors.
The hill climb, which begins at an altitude of 9,186 feet and reaches the summit of 14,107 feet, is an ideal environment to showcase the strengths of an electric powertrain. TMG’s high-performance electric powertrain maintains full power despite the thin atmosphere at high altitude while delivering an impressive 900 Nm of torque through its single-speed gearing.
The TMG EV P002 underwent a successful three-day testing session at the Paul Ricard circuit in southern France in May to verify car and powertrain performance.
TMG EV P002 Technical Specifications
Performance
Top Speed: 240 kph / 149 mph (Pikes Peak configuration)
Maximum Torque: 900 Nm
Maximum Power: 350 kw
Maximum Revs: 5,000 rpm
Powertrain
Electric Motor: 2 axial flux
Inverter: 2 x TMG inverters
Gear Ratio: 2.5
Transmission: Single-reduction gearing
Battery: Lithium ceramic
Battery Capacity: 42 kwh
Charging Technology: Off-board DC charging
