PROOF THAT A PRIUS CAN BE COOL - THE PRIUS 24H LE MANS CENTENNIAL GR EDITION REVEALED
The Toyota Prius has been the butt of motoring jokes for many years now, touted as a car for the tree huggers. Who have been right all along too. We’ve seen some cool aftermarket ones over the years, and now we see one from Toyota itself, well the motorsport division, Gazoo Racing. These days when we see a car with that now instantly recognisable GR logo on the bodywork, we know it’s going to be good. In the case of the Prius, the point of the model range is to be more ecologically conscious and have great mileage thanks to a hybrid powerplant, so we already know that this concept won’t be on the power and handling level of the purpose-built GR cars and changes will me more for the aesthetics. This isn’t a bad thing, we’ve seen cars win shows with fewer mods than we can identify on this car. As it stands the car looks to be a concept, but it could be one of those things where if there’s enough interest a limited run may be produced. I know I’d rock a Prius that looks like this Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition. Toyota Gazoo Racing unveiled the Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition that’s based on the latest-generation Toyota Prius. The car pays homage to Le Mans and France’s Automobile Club de l’Ouest, which is the organizer of the race. I bet you never knew that.
The concept car has better performance, due in part to its exclusive wheels and aerodynamic parts inspired by TGR’s WEC-competing GR010 HYBRID. TGR*2 has been honing hybrid systems at Le Mans and in other WEC races since 2012 and the knowledge gained through this has been applied to production models like Prius, which is a car synonymous with Toyota’s hybrid vehicles thanks to being on the market for 26 years now. Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition features improved aerodynamics thanks to new side skirts, canards, a large rear wing, a lower rear diffuser, a lightweight carbon fibre bonnet, a wide-track suspension, exclusive aerodynamic 18-inch wheels wrapped in 235/50R18 rubber. There are also multi-headlamps for improved nighttime visibility. “For me, a race fan for as long as I can remember, June is a special month every year. It was fun for me to reflect on the famous scenes so far and to draw while imbuing my pen with respect. To the great Le Mans 24 Hours, which marks its centenary, to Mazda, which was the first Japanese manufacturer to win Le Mans, to TGR, which is contributing to the world through its victories in Le Mans and other motorsports events, and to all the racing drivers who continue to inspire us, I would like to say: ‘Thank you very much.’ I have learned a great deal from Japanese craftmanship and the attitude of taking on challenges while never giving up, especially since I became a manga artist. Toward the realization of a carbon-neutral society and the taking on of new challenges for the future, I believe that this race will surely open up a world of possibilities. I will put everything I have into supporting it again this year.” says Masahito Soda.
Take a look at the YouTube video that has Kamui Kobayashi explain all the reasons behind the creation of this Prius concept with insight into the changes carried out to make it a GR-badged car, and also the link to the iconic 24 Hours of LeMans race that the car commemorates: Introducing the Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition concept | TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Europe
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News 24hlemans PushingTheLimitsForBetter Hybrid Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition Limited Edition Le Mans SXdrv Gazoo Racing GR Prius Toyota