… it is the same boring red and white monster 
. The 2008 F1 car launch season continued with the Toyota launch in Cologne, Germany. The Panasonic Toyota Racing team hopes that the new TF108 will move them closer to its long-term aim of winning races and fighting for the World Championship. As with the Ferrari and McLaren the continuing aero development will mean that the car they will bring to Melbourne may have entirely different look. Here are some photos of the TF108:
Chairman and Team Principal Tadashi Yamashina:
“Of course, our ultimate target is the middle step of the podium – we are in Formula 1 to win and we want to do that soon. Our clear target in 2008 is to make a big improvement in our results because we were not satisfied with our performance last year. We expect to have a truly competitive car so our drivers should be aiming to finish in the points regularly and challenging for the podium.”
President John Howett
“The TF108 is significantly different to its predecessor, on the outside and the inside, as a result of the team’s continuous search for improvement, as well as regulation changes. Formula 1 technology is constantly evolving and the team’s designers have kept pace, resulting in noticeable changes for the TF108. A key change is that increase in wheelbase, the distance between front and rear axles.”
As well as a longer wheelbase, the TF108 boasts a distinctive new aerodynamic concept and advanced suspension lay-outs.
Senior General Manager Chassis Pascal Vasselon:
“The main reason for making the wheelbase longer is to achieve more stability, but secondly we also expect greater aerodynamic development potential, giving our aerodynamicists wider surfaces and more space to play with. The aerodynamic concept of this car has changed. The TF107 was an evolution of the TF106 but this time the new package is a departure from recent Toyotas. The primary aerodynamic design philosophy for the TF108 is geared towards optimising the entire package. In mechanical terms we felt we had a strong basis so we have focused on making a few refinements.”
TF108 Technical Specifications:
Monocoque: Moulded carbon fibre and honeycomb construction.
Fuel tank: ATL safety cell
Suspension: Carbon fibre double wishbone arrangement, with carbon fibre trackrod and pushrod.
Dampers: Penske
Wheels: BBS forged magnesium
Tyres: Bridgestone Potenza
Brakes: Brembo callipers and master cylinders, Hitco material (carbon/carbon)
Steering: Toyota power-assisted steering. Toyota carbon fibre steering wheel with Toyota / Magneti Marelli instruments
Driver’s seat: Carbon fibre
Restraints: Takata
HANS device: Hubbard-Downing
Electronics: Toyota, Magneti Marelli plus McLaren Electronic Systems ECU (as required by FIA rules)
Transmission: 7-speed unit plus reverse
Overall length: 4636 mm
Overall height: 950mm
Overall width: 1800mm
Overall weight: 605kg inc driver and camera
RVX-08 Technical Specifications
Cylinders: 8
Capacity: 2,398cc
Horsepower: Approximately 740bhp
Revolutions: Maximum 19,000rpm (as required by FIA rules)
Valve actuation: Pneumatic
Throttle actuation: Hydraulic
Spark Plugs: DENSO
Fuel: Esso
Lubricants: Esso
Let’s see how the new distinctive aerodynamic concept and no Ralf Schumacher will affect the performance of the red and white cars …
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Perhaps a few bumper stickers might liven up this “boring red and white monster” : )
or a bunch of sprayers
I am a little surprised at the significant differences between Ferrari, McLaren, and Toyota. The aerodynamic details are quite different.
The Ferrari looks very mean and aggressive. The McLaren (outside of the trailing edge of the front wing) looks subdued and simple.
The Toyota lines seem to flow in soft curves. All the wings and effects appear to flow together. And the mirrors are placed very high, where as the Ferrari’s appeared to be right on the body of the car.
It will be very interesting to see if these cars remain as they are, or changes take place quickly.
We can expect lots of changes between now and Melbourne (and during the season).
Are you suggesting that the show cars are not their race cars? Interesting!
the chassis will not change much, but the cars the tea launch are not yet track tested. two more months of winter testing will bring some aero and set up advances. most visible changes will be on all the wings and winglets
but anyway, the looks of cars are different from track to track, the best comparison would be the high downforce set up in Monaco and low downforce in Monza
Another day, another boring Toyota
Except for the mirrors as zblkhwk pointed out, but even they’re fugly 