Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s performance car division, is working on multiple high-end modifications of the latest Prius Hybrid. According to BestCarWeb, the hatchback will remain part-electric in all these versions.
The new generation saw the Prius gain quite a bit of thrust compared to the old one. Armed with a two-liter engine, it makes 223 PS (220 hp / 164 kW) and sprints 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 6.7 seconds. The Toyota GR 86 itself is only 12 PS (12 hp / 9 kW) more powerful, and it is considered a sports car.
Still, Gazoo Racing hopes to ramp up the power even higher, BestCarWeb claims citing its own sources. The new Prius GRMN may wind up with the same hybrid powertrain as the RAV4 Prime, namely, a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine and two electric motors jointly rated at 306 PS (302 hp / 225 kW). This would put it on par with a maxed-out GR Corolla.
Unlike other Gazoo Racing projects, the Prius might end up with an automatic transmission instead of manual. At the same time, it may get a stiffer body and reinforced suspension. The cabin will be sported up as well and new equipment options will be added, the publication claims.
The premiere is expected in Q4 2023. We will probably have to wait until then to find out how much of this report is true.
