Rumours have been floating about for months that the next model in line to be given to Toyota’s high-performance Gazoo Racing (TGR) department for a sporty overhaul would be the hybrid Prius.
This has now happened, but not in the way we expected.
Rather than putting out an athletic-looking production version of the battery-incentivised Prius, Toyota has unveiled a concept car with a mean face that pays tribute to the 24 hours of Le Mans which this year is celebrating its 100th birthday.
The concept – aptly called the Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition – is based on the latest-generation Prius and boasts an aggressive design crafted by TGR which “expresses gratitude to Le Mans and France’s Automobile Club de l’Ouest, which is the organizer of the race,” said the company.
Toyota chose the Prius for this project as Le Mans has been the automaker’s main testing ground for honing its hybrid systems since 2012, and many cutting-edge technologies that made their debut out on the racetrack have since found their way into everyday production cars under the Toyota and Lexus banners.
Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition specs
The Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition benefits from handpicked enhancements in the areas of styling and aerodynamics that serve to lend it “excellent driving performance.”
It cuts through the air more efficiently than the standard car and simultaneously provides better traction thanks to exclusive components such as side skirts, canards, a large rear wing, and a rear diffuser, all of which were inspired by TGR’s WEC-competing GR010 Hybrid race car.
Moreover, the Prius GR Edition features a lightweight carbon fibre hood, multi-LED headlamps for improved nighttime visibility, wide-track suspension, and unique 18-inch aerodynamically-optimised wheels.
For anyone lucky enough to be in the area, the Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition is due to be displayed at the WEC’s Round 6, which is the 6 Hours of Fuji endurance race in Japan on September 8, 2023, as well as a host of other racing events, said Toyota.
TGR Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition specs
Loading ...
