When Toyota->ke88 Motorsport GmbH developed the TMG EV P001 specifically to set the electric vehicle lap record at the Nürburgring, we knew Toyota was onto something special. Then it released a follow up to the P001 specifically to run in the 2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and set a new EV record of 10:15.380 up the hill, and we were simply blown away.

Toyota then decided it was time to put the P002 to the test and see if it could beat the P001’s record-setting time around the `Ring. The P002 did not disappoint, as it smashed the P001’s record by 25 seconds, placing it in the top-15 times ever on the Nürburgring->ke999 (at the time).

With the TMG EV P002 firmly situated in the history books, we felt it was the right time to take a closer look at this purpose-built race car and see what it’s like under the microscope.

Click past the jump to read our full review on the TMG EV P002.

2012 Toyota EV P002

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 Toyota EV P002
  • Engine/Motor: 2 x Axial flux motors
  • Horsepower: 469
  • Transmission: Gear reduction
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

On the outside, the TMG EV P002 is what it is: a racecar. It features a sloped nose with raised fenders that gives it a “Prototype” look and a set of stacked headlights. At the base of the front end, you get a large lower-lip spoiler to help keep down-force on the front of the car. You also get a set of spoilers on the very front of the front fenders to add in a little extra downward force.

Around the back end, you get the same raised fenders and a large single-leg spoiler with side wings to help keep the back end planted to the ground. You also get a trio of rounded taillights that sit in a vertical line.

Over the top of the open cockpit, you get a roll cage to keep the driver out of harm’s way in the event of a crash.

We don’t know exact materials used to construct the exterior of the EV P002, but we assume it is a carbon-fiber blend of some sort and the car likely weighs less than 2,500 lbs. We have contacted TMG to get this information and we will let you know once we get confirmation on this.

Exterior Dimensions:

Length

4.10 meters (161.41 inches)

Width

1.79 meters (70.47 inches)

Height

1.04 meters (40.94 inches)

Weight

<2,500 lbs. (TopSpeed est.)


Engine and Drivetrain

The TMG EV P002 boasts an all-electric drivetrain that emits zero emissions; making it the perfect green car, but how well can an all-electric racecar perform? Toyota starts it all off with a pair of axial flux electric motors. These differ from your standard electric motor, as the flux flows parallel to the motor’s axle, making it better suited for immediate changes in speed. This motor is good for 900 Nm (663 pound-feet) of immediately available torque and 350 Kw (469 horsepower). The motor is capable of handle 5,000 rpm for a sustained period of time without failure.

This powerful motor transfers its power to the rear wheels via single reduction gearing with a 2.5-to-1 gear ration, so it can optimize the motors’ torque. Powering the motors is a lithium-ceramic battery with 42 kWh of capacity. The battery is charged via a 400 –volt rapid charger.

Toyota has not released a 0-to-60 mph time, but it does list the TMG EV P002’s top speed as 255 k/h (158.45 mph). That isn’t too bad considering the 2.5-to-1 gear ratio. We estimate the 0-to-60 mph time in the high 2-second range, likely about 2.8 seconds. The TMG EV P002 also holds two electric vehicle world records – a Pikes Peak International Hill Climb record of 10:15.380 and a Nürburgring lap time record of 7:22.329.

Motor and Drivetrain Specs:

Motor type

2 x Axial flux motors

Transmission Type

Gear reduction

Power Output

469 horsepower / 663 pound-feet of torque

Top Speed

158.45 mph

Acceleration (0 to 60 mph)

2.8 seconds (TopSpeed est.)

Battery Capacity

42 kW Lithium Ceramic


Conclusion

Though the actual information released by TMG is a little scarce, we cannot help but be impressed by this EV machine. This just goes to show the kind of power that Toyota can pull from its electric vehicles. It’s highly doubtful that we’ll ever see this sort of drivetrain from Toyota, but this could potentially lead Toyota toward building performance electric vehicles in the near future, finally giving Tesla something to worry about.