Toyota GR Prius hybrid hot hatch previewed

Toyota Gazoo Racing has previewed a high-performance Toyota GR Prius in the build-up to the new hot hybrid hatchback’s unveiling at the Le Mans 24 Hour race on June 10.

Revealing a single teaser image, Gazoo Racing has not specifically confirmed that it will roll out a hotter version of the fifth-generation Toyota Prius, but the lower bumper’s shape and placement of its AEB sensors both match the latest XW60-series hybrid hatch.

Announcing that the latest GR performance model will be “equipped with vehicle technologies that have been developed through numerous challenges in motorsports participation”, the new GR Prius could directly benefit from tech developed for the Toyota GR010 hybrid racer’s development.

Other take-aways from the image released include a pair of anti-dive planes fitted and a more prominent front splitter that hint at a new aggressive aero.

The four LED driving lights, meanwhile, could be fitted to more GR models in the future.

There’s no word on powertrain, but it’s thought the current 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid set up will produce significantly more power than the 164kW it currently pumps out.

That means the standard car’s 0-100km/h should drop from the PHEV hatchback’s 6.7 seconds.

A focus on the Prius suggests that Toyota’s performance division could be developing electrified powertrains for a variety of future fast GR models.

The Toyota Prius was removed from sale in Australia last year, but a high-performance version to sit alongside the new 2023 Toyota GR Corolla could be on the agenda.