Autoblog is reporting that Toyota’s chief test driver has died in a head on collision near the Nurburgring.
Although there has been no name released, Toyota’s chief test driver is Hiromu Naruse. Naruse also serves as Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda’s personal driver.
Naruse was out testing the Lexus LFA – Nurburgring Edition when he apparently veered into an oncoming BMW. There were two people in the BMW, both test drivers themselves. One has sustained life-threatening injuries and the other is in critical condition.
Condolences to the families of those involved in the crash.
*UPDATE: Toyota has released a statement regarding this incedent. Read it after the jump.
[Autoblog]
Toyota statement:
“We are shocked and saddened at hearing of Hiromo Naruse’s sudden passing away. Yesterday, Mr. Naruse, a Toyota test driver, was killed in a car accident while testing a Lexus LFA on a road close to the Nurburgring, Germany. Our deepest condolences go out to Mr. Naruse’s family, and we wish to express our sincere sympathy to the other people involved in the accident.”
Naruse was highly involved in Toyota’s sports car development and is credited as the man behind the LFA.
In an eerie twist, Naruse almost had a premonition of dying in an LFA. On May 26th Naruse said:
“When we raced the LFA in Nardo, Italy, I thought I might not return to Japan alive. The purpose of this ‘test’ was to evaluate the car’s durability at 200 mph for a long period. The race was in the dark with no lights on the track, plus there were birds flying at me – and imagine if a tire burst! We created the final LFA through these kinds of test experiences.”
