integraguy
integraguy HalfDork
3/23/10 8:48 a.m.

A fairly reliable source says that Toyota is readying a line of "go-faster" parts (ala the type "F" Lexus) for.....get this....the PRIUS. In Europe, these will be marketted at dealers as / under the "G" name. If Toyota EVER crawls out from under the unintended acceleration cloud in the U.S. these parts could be sold under the TRD brand and would be available/installed by dealers.

When I read this I thought, what the F? I guess Toyota is working on improving power AND fuel economy...otherwise, Prius owners aren't THE market for hot-rod type bits.

maroon92
maroon92 SuperDork
3/23/10 8:53 a.m.

Hybrid tuning is getting pretty big...See Tommy Kaira!

John Brown
John Brown GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
3/23/10 8:57 a.m.

I like the Kenstyle insight:

Raze
Raze HalfDork
3/23/10 9:41 a.m.

so once again we have the next generation of "all show and no go"...

but dude my Li-Ion pack ads like 500 HPs when I short it baby, instant NOS!

iceracer
iceracer HalfDork
3/23/10 10:32 a.m.

Like they used to say, " If it don't go, chrome it".

ReverendDexter
ReverendDexter Dork
3/23/10 11:27 a.m.

Hybrids do make sense for a performance application. Instant torque of the electric motor, range of a gas (or diesel).

Get rid of the "Look how GREEN I am!" looks and the BS efficiency hype, and I might consider a hybrid. Not a moment sooner, though.

93celicaGT2
93celicaGT2 SuperDork
3/23/10 12:15 p.m.

I want a Highlander Hybrid motor(s) installed driving the rear wheels of a 1986 Corolla.

That would be a whole lot of WTFOMWTFOMGWTF

Nashco
Nashco SuperDork
3/23/10 12:22 p.m.
ReverendDexter wrote: Hybrids do make sense for a performance application. Instant torque of the electric motor, range of a gas (or diesel). Get rid of the "Look how GREEN *I* am!" looks and the BS efficiency hype, and I might consider a hybrid. Not a moment sooner, though.

The moment has arrived for you to consider a hybrid. Would you consider an AWD Fiero that is 3 seconds faster in the 1/4 mile and 0-60 in half the time of a Prius? I might know a guy.

Bryce

ReverendDexter
ReverendDexter Dork
3/23/10 2:13 p.m.

I wonder how the Cali smogotistas would act around that Fiero, hahaha. It'd probably give 'em an aneurysm.

Schmidlap
Schmidlap Reader
3/23/10 2:20 p.m.

I wonder if Toyota is doing this in response to Honda's CR-Z, which is supposed to be a sporty hybrid. If they can market the Prius as being sporty and seating 4, why buy the Honda which can only seat 2?

Instead of marketing towards the go-fast crowd, why not offer accessories for the hyper-milers? Offer more aerodynamic front bumpers with splitters so low that they will get torn off if you go over a speed bump. It'll boost your fuel economy 4% but you've got to be careful where you drive. Maybe offer wheel skirts for the rear wheels, etc.

Bob

wbjones
wbjones HalfDork
3/23/10 4:45 p.m.

I thought Priuses had already gotten "fast".... at least in Cali

MrJoshua
MrJoshua SuperDork
3/23/10 4:48 p.m.
93celicaGT2 wrote: I want a Highlander Hybrid motor(s) installed driving the rear wheels of a 1986 Corolla. That would be a whole lot of WTFOMWTFOMGWTF

The mechanical part of that isn't that inconceivable. Car-part.com sells the motor/diff setup for sub $1k all day long. The issue is going to be a suitable controller and battery pack.

John Brown
John Brown GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
3/23/10 4:59 p.m.

We call it "Chromies for the homies"

integraguy
integraguy HalfDork
3/23/10 10:07 p.m.

"....why not offer accessories for the hypermilers?"

Actually, some of the go-faster stuff will be "body addenda" , like skirts / spats for the rear wheels, ala the 1st gen. Insight. Other parts will apparently work on improving the efficiency of the gas engine. The "blurb" I read was short on specifics, but since it (the whole "G" thing) will be modelled on Toyota / Lexus's "F" type cars....

rogerbvonceg
rogerbvonceg New Reader
3/24/10 12:33 p.m.
maroon92 wrote: Hybrid tuning is getting pretty big...See Tommy Kaira!

As I recall, this is an appearance package, only, although it appears it may increase downforce, which of course would induce additional drag.

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