The engine’s designation is derived from ‘racing V8’, giving the RV8 prefix which has been used for Toyota racing engines for several years. The current Toyota Formula Nippon engine is the K specification and this has been modified by TMG for Le Mans, adding the initials LM and giving its full designation of RV8KLM.

In order to adjust to the specific demands of endurance racing and the mandatory air restrictors in use at Le Mans, TMG has modified the compression ratio and increased the engine’s efficiency, delivering over 500PS in a reliable package.

Development began early in 2010 and testing on TMG’s advanced suite of dynamometers began in June 2010, culminating in a shakedown test at Snetterton in England in October.

The first full track test for the RV8KLM engine took place in october 2010 at Monteblanco in Spain, where more than 750km were completed in two days, before a further two-day test at Portimao in Portugal saw more than 1,100km achieved.

Two RV8KLM powered REBELLION Racing Lolas succesfully completed Official Le Mans Series Test Days at Paul Ricard HTTT from 11th to 12th of march adding more trouble free mileage to the engines with fastest lap time of all combined sessions.