Toyota Proves the Prius Can Handle Like a Sports Car
The Toyota Prius is probably one of the last vehicles you think of when it comes to performance.
Teaming up with builder Gordon Ting of Beyond Marketing, Toyota has introduced the Prius G at the 2016 SEMA Show, inspired by the Japanese Prius GT300 race car. But this project wasn’t just about transforming the mundane hybrid to a car that looks fast, Ting built the Prius to hold its own on the racetrack. And to prove the point, the Toyota Prius G was taken out to Willow Springs International Raceway where it pulled 0.99 g on the skid pad, putting it in the company of performance sports cars that cost plenty more. With more fine tuning, the team is confident that the Prius will be capable of pulling a full 1 g in the next round of tests. Further supporting the Prius G’s handling capabilities, it out-handled a BMW 528i sedan in independent testing.
Like many project cars that show up at the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the Prius G is unexpected but explores the possibilities of what the aftermarket can do to a vehicle.
“This extreme build highlights something we are baking in our production models. We know the Prius can do much more than simply serve as a highly regarded and reliable everyday hybrid car,” said Claudia A. Rodriguez, Prius Product and Marketing Manager at Toyota Motor Sales. “Racetracks have historically been home to sports, muscle and performance cars. Hybrid cars would have been laughed off the track, until the Prius G.”
Discuss this story on our Toyota Prius Forum
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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"Prius" and "sports car" don't belong in the same article.
Zero to 60 in 9.7seconds baby... That'll get your juices flowing.. sleepy juices.. yawn..