Toyota boss gives cryptic answer on 2027 car numbers – 'Maybe three, maybe two'

Toyota is currently the only WRC manufacturer to have developed a completely new car built to the WRC27 regulations. But now the Japanese marque faces another challenge: producing enough of them. The WRC27 rules require at least ten competition-ready cars that can be sold or leased to customers.

Technical director Tom Fowler admits that ramping up production of a new car within a short timeframe is a demanding operation. "I think with any new car, the biggest challenge is always how many cars you can produce in a short period of time right at the beginning," he says. The question on everyone's lips is how many completed WRC27 cars will be available when the new era kicks off at Rally Monte Carlo in January.

Fowler remained tight-lipped about the exact number. When asked whether Toyota would have at least five cars ready, his answer was cautious: "I don't know. Maybe three, maybe two." The regulations require at least two cars on the start line, and Fowler laughed, "That's why I said maybe two."

Read AlsoIngrassia Reveals Dramatic Call with Ogier After Finland Horror Crash

There have been larger estimates floating around. Juha Kankkunen has suggested Toyota could run as many as six cars in the top category, compared with five at present. Fowler, however, did not confirm such a plan.

While production numbers remain uncertain, development of the new car continues at full speed. Ott Tanak has so far played a major role in testing, but Toyota's other drivers will soon get behind the wheel. The testing programme is set to intensify towards the end of the year.

Toyota is also weighing options to prepare as effectively as possible for Monte Carlo. One possibility is entering the new car in a smaller rally, though Fowler points out that such an event could never fully replicate the demands of a WRC round. "Even if we did a smaller rally, it's never the same as a WRC event. We might do something to find the conditions we need, but I believe we can be ready anyway."

With development, production, and logistics all converging, Toyota faces a busy end to the year. The big question remains: will they dominate the new WRC27 era, or stumble due to supply constraints?