The idea of a performance-oriented Toyota Prius may seem strange at first, but it’s anything but a new concept. Several versions of a race car have been built for the Super GT series in Japan, not to mention the street models with Gazoo Racing branding for the domestic market. It was only a matter of time until the eco-warrior showed off its sporty side with the fifth-generation model.
Allow us to introduce: the Toyota Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition. It made its official debut today to mark the beginning of the 100-year anniversary of the legendary endurance race at Circuit de la Sarthe.
What does the Prius have to do with Le Mans? The environmentally friendly pioneer has helped Gazoo Racing to develop and improve its hybrid technology over the years, featured in the endurance race cars TS030, TS040, TS050 and the newer GR010, all of which bear the ‘Hybrid’ moniker.
The sporty Prius concept receives an extensive aerodynamic body kit consisting of front spoilers and splitters, muscular side skirts, fender flares, a big rear wing and a massive diffuser. Through its performance arm, Toyota has also fitted a carbon fiber bonnet and four-point LED headlights, inspired by the GR010 Hybrid.
The athletic hybrid rides on tailored, aerodynamic-optimised RAYS wheels in 18-inch sizes wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres sized 235/50 R18. The reworked lower front air intakes now feature a honeycomb pattern, and it is said that the GR Prius is equipped with a ‘wide track suspension’.
As to why the concept is seen alongside the Mazda MX-30 R-EV (yes, the rotary-engined one) it’s because both cars are part of an exhibition celebrating the success of Japanese racers at Le Mans. Mazda was the first brand from the land of the rising sun to win the race in 1991 with the 787B, the only car in the history of the event to be powered by a rotary engine. Toyota has won five times in a row (2018-2022), and hopes for the sixth victory in 2023.