Formula 1 News

Panasonic Toyota: The new TF108 unveiled 

Panasonic Toyota Racing F1 unveiled this morning in Cologne, Germany, their new single-seater for 2008 season, the TF108. What’s immediately noticable in the TF108 is a longer wheelbase and a bridged front wing similar to the one McLaren Mercedes used in 2007 season.

Tadashi Yamashina, the team’s principal said: ”Our ultimate target is the middle step of the podium. We are in Formula 1 to win, so we want to do this soon. The clear target in 2008 is to make a great improvement in our results because we were not satisfied with last year’s results. The drivers should be aiming to finish in the points regularly and challenging for podiums. In the team we must make our best efforts to give the drivers a car which is capable of achieving our goals. There are several reasons for us to be optimistic. We are so hungry to succeed. And also we have the continuity and consistency within our design and team management side. This gives us a very stable base and also good communication and better teamwork, allowing us to work on innovative concepts which can improve our 2008 car.”

Panasonic Toyota 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 Electronics 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

RXV-08 Engine 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