We’ve already seen pictures of the latest-generation Prius and it is easily the best-looking generation of them all. As if that wasn’t enough, Toyota has also blessed us with a special Toyota Prius 24H Le Mans Centennial Edition (or a Toyota “GR Prius”) and it cranks things up to 11. Unveiled back in June 2023, this one-off model is on display in Malaysia at the Toyota Beyond Zero event.
So what exactly is this? It’s a tribute model, and to burst your bubble real quick, there aren’t any significant performance upgrades that have been done to this wild-looking Prius except for the wider track from the “wide tread” suspension system and bigger 18-inch wheel. Still, one can easily appreciate the visual enhancements that the Prius 24H Le Mans Centennial GR Edition brings.
Among the visible upgrades on the Toyota “GR Prius” are new aerodynamic devices, consisting of a new front splitter, front and rear canards, a carbon fibre bonnet for weight savings, a rear diffuser, and a new fixed rear wing that’s made of carbon fibre. Toyota says that these upgrades have given the Prius “excellent driving performance”.
In summary, the list of upgrades on the GR-ified Prius is as such:
- Improved aerodynamics and traction by way of exclusive performance aerodynamic parts (side skirts, canards, large rear wing, rear diffuser, etc.)
- Lightweight carbon-fibre hood
- Wide-track suspension
- 235/50R18-inch tires
- Exclusive aerodynamic wheels
- Added multi-headlamps for improved night visibility
RELATED: The Toyota Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition is mostly just a body kit with no extra power
Under the hood of this “GR Prius” is the same 2.0-litre hybrid unit that outputs 223 hp that is found in the fifth-generation 2.0 HEV E-Four Prius. With the aero kits not boosting power, the “GR Prius” is capable of a century sprint time of 6.7 seconds. Power is sent to all four wheels as the “E-Four” moniker suggests.
With no significant performance upgrades, the reason Toyota developed the Toyota Prius 24H Le Mans Centennial GR Edition is to inspire the motorsports industry to be more sustainable and to make ever-better motorsports-bred cars. This edition of the Prius sure makes hybrid cars look a lot more enticing.
The Prius is currently not available in the Malaysian market, but we sure wish it was. Especially with this Toyota “GR Prius” setup. Check it out yourself at the “Toyota Beyond Zero” event happening until 28th February at Taman Teknologi Bukit Jalil.
RELATED: 2023 Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid launched in Japan – 0-100km/h 6.7s, 223 hp!
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