Toyota's chief test driver (Naruse) dies behind wheel of LFA in Germany

Very sad, indeed. He also contributed to Prius development if I am not mistaken.

It was a nasty head-on accident in a narrow blind left-hand curve (from Naruse's point of view), from what I've heard. The BMW was traveling in the opposite direction. It is unclear whether it was him or the BMW driver, but one of them got into the opposite lane, leaving the other guy no chance to react. The guys in the BMW did not fare very well, too. They are both gravely injured. Interestingly enough, they were BMW test drivers in a BMW-prototype, going to test at the Nurburgring track, which Naruse-san was just leaving.

My condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed deeply, no doubt.

Sayonara, Naruse-san! Your spirit shall live forever in the great cars you contributed to.

 

I am speechless! I was just talking about him recently having appear in almost every Toyota's upcoming sports cars video teasers.

IMO, Toyota (and the world) just lost a great man. RIP

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