Hiromu Naruse
Hiromu Naruse | |
---|---|
成瀬弘 | |
Born | 1942 |
Occupation | Test driver |
Hiromu Naruse (成瀬弘, Naruse Hiromu) (1942 – 23 June 2010
Career
Naruse joined Toyota Motor Corporation in 1963 as a certified auto mechanic, and was initially assigned to the company's Vehicle Evaluation and Engineering Division as a temporary employee. Because he also held a level-2 abacus certificate, Naruse was also considered for a position in the Accounting division.[5] Naruse worked his way up in the company, earning a reputation as one of its top test drivers.[4]
As a company mechanic, early models which Naruse worked on included the Toyota Sports 800 in 1965 and the Toyota 1600GT in 1967.[4][5] He also helped create the Toyota 2000GT in 1967, Japan's first supercar,[4] and following promotion to chief mechanic, helped produce the company's first custom-built racer, the Toyota 7, in 1970.[4] After ten years with the company, Naruse was placed in charge of motorsports development.[5]
In 1970, Naruse headed the formation of
As master test driver, Naruse had input on multiple Toyota company products, ranging from the second generation
During and after the LFA's Nürburgring races, Naruse continued to drive the LFA and other prototypes in Europe and elsewhere. Although nearly 70 years old, he remained active in test driving, and also tackled hillside roads on weekends in Japan.[4] He remained aware of the risks and rewards, stating that:
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.
— Hiromu Naruse, early 2010[8]
By the late 2000s, Naruse was advocating the development of an inexpensive rear-wheel drive coupe for driving enthusiasts.[9] This would later be considered by Toyota in hatchback form to honor Naruse's legacy.[9]
Death
On the afternoon of 23 June 2010, Naruse crashed his Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition prototype[10] frontally into a BMW production car near the Nürburgring, Germany. Both cars were a total loss. He was 67.[11]
The LFA veered into oncoming traffic, colliding head-on
References
- ^ "BREAKING: Toyota's chief test driver dies behind wheel of LFA in Germany".
- ^ http://www.pr-inside.com/de/lexus-testingenieur-naruse-stirbt-bei-r1966049.htm[permanent dead link] (German)
- ^ "EXPRESS - Lexus-Testfahrer stirbt bei Frontal-Unfall". Archived from the original on 26 June 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2010. (German)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Seat Time with Hiromu Naruse — Autoblog
- ^ a b c d e f g "Profile of Hiromu Naruse | Automotive Seasoning | GAZOO Racing". GAZOO.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2010.
- ^ a b Lexus Magazine Interview – Test Driver Archived 13 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 2010 24h Nur results[permanent dead link]
- ^ Death of a Craftsman – AutoTrader.com Archived 7 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Report: Toyota considering RWD hatch to commemorate Naruse
- ^ Registered as DAU – 0679 (see video) in the local Vulkaneifel district. Red "06" plates can be used by dealers etc. for different cars.
- ^ http://www.spiegel.de/auto/aktuell/0,1518,702480,00.html (German)
- ^ "Lexus | LFA | test driver killed | Nurburgring". Archived from the original on 29 June 2010. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
- ^ Google Maps
- ^ Chef-Testingenieur stirbt bei Unfall mit Super-Lexus Archived 25 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition Spy Shots
- ^ Photo of a damaged white helmet, on the road behind the Lexus