Toyota’s 2017 World Rally Car has finally hit the gravel ahead of the Japanese firm’s return to the WRC next year.

Unusually, the team boss is handling early development work, but when the boss is four-time WRC champion Tommi Makinen, there are few better qualified for the job. Development work will also be handled by the team’s first signed driver, Finn Juho Hanninen.

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The 2017 regulations also allow much more freedom in the bodywork, evidenced by the huge flares and massive wings adorning Toyota’s development mule. Citroen and VW have also been spotted testing equally wild machinery, suggesting next year’s cars will definitely inject some visual excitement back into the sport.

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With Toyota re-entering the sport after an 18-year break and Citroen returning after a one-year hiatus, the WRC will play host to five manufacturers in 2017, including three of the top five car makers worldwide.