Toyota TS030 Hybrid is a Le Mans Prototype 1 ( LMP1 ) sports car built by Toyota Motorsport GmbH and used by the manufacturer in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2012 and 2013 . It was Toyota 's first all new prototype since the GT-One last competed in 1999 , and was the first petrol-hybrid engine car to participate in the World Endurance Championship . Work on designing the car began in late 2010 when early chassis designs were presented to Toyota Motorsport . The project was stopped briefly after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami , but the car 's building was approved six months later . The TS030 Hybrid featured a Kinetic Energy Recovery System ( KERS ) regenerative braking device to charge a super capacitor . Its engine , a naturally aspirated petrol V8 power unit , was mounted at a 90 degree angle , produced , and was based on Toyota 's Super GT project
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
Toyota TS030 Hybrid