Toyota GR Prius Concept Hints at Sporty Hybrid, and Why Not?
Toyota has made it known that it plans to introduce additional sporty GR models. New CEO Koji Sato said so immediately after taking over from Akio Toyoda on April 1.
Could the Prius follow the lead of the GR Supra, GR 86 and GR Corolla? That’s not as silly as it sounds when you consider the awesome work designers and engineers have done with the latest generation. Ahead of this weekend’s 100th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France, the Japanese automaker’s GAZOO Racing division is showcasing a unique GR Prius concept as part of a special exhibit called “Japan. Endless Discovery.”
By the way, we need to remind you that Toyota is the only manufacturer from the land of the rising sun currently competing in Le Mans and now on a five-year winning streak.
The Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition concept features exclusive wheels and performance aerodynamic parts inspired by the GR010 HYBRID from the World Endurance Championship. The list includes front bumper fins, side skirts, rear canards, a large rear wing, a rear diffuser and more.
The GAZOO Racing team also fitted a lightweight carbon fibre hood, widened the tracks, revised the suspension and even added multi-headlamps for improved nighttime visibility. Oh, and the 235/50R18 Michelin tires are 40 mm wider than the stock ones.
There’s no mention of changes to the powertrain, but any GR Prius would most certainly pack more power than the 220 hp found in the Prius Prime. Of course, let’s not get too carried away. We just hope this car is something we would see before a hypothetical GR bZ4X…
Don’t miss our reviews of the new 2023 Toyota Prius and Prius Prime. And while you’re at it, check out our impressions of the 300-horsepower GR Corolla, too.