I’ve been religiously attending the Washington Auto Show for over a decade. RFD has brought you in-depth coverage from the show floor for a few years including two different articles in 2015. But last year, we just kept things simple with a high resolution gallery. That was also our first year attending the NAIAS in Detroit. Coincidence? Possibly. So this year, I almost didn’t attend. But I did, and a damn Prius was the coolest thing there.
Now, I feel like I have to apologize in advance. Maybe we’re just having a down week, but this article does follow Fails’ love letter to a fucking Smart car.
So yes, it’s a Prius. And I’m not a huge fan (obviously). But I was drawn to this car at the DC show. Unveiled at SEMA this year, I can’t say I recall seeing much about it. Toyota and Gordon Ting of Beyond Marketing took inspiration from the Japanese Prius GT300 race car and did a damn good job, at least on the outside. Called the Prius G, it allegedly pulled 0.99 g on the skid pad during testing at Willow Springs International Raceway. Get it, Prius “G”.
According to Toyota, the Prius G actually out-handled the (a?) BMW 528i sedan in independent testing. Which means someone involved in the development had a 528i and they lapped them at the same time. Whether it was on the skidpad, at an autocross, or somewhere else, we don’t know. But hey, a Prius out-handled something else, which is pretty super.
And the car looks pretty cool too, if for no other reason that it’s purposeful. It’s low, thanks for a set of Tein coilovers and the Rays wheels are the business. It’s still a hybrid up front, so no major engine work, but I bet it is still pretty fun to drive. Enough of my rambling, here are the specs.
Can a Prius be cool? I think this one is close.
Specs
LEAD BUILDER:
- Beyond Marketing/Gordon Ting
SUSPENSION:
- Tein Street Flex Coilovers with Active EDFC Pro Unit
WHEELS:
- Rays Engineering TE-37SL 18 x 10.5 Front, 18 x 9.5 Rear
EXTERIOR:
- Kuhl Racing Body Kit
- Evasive Motorsports Fender Flares
- Craft Square GT Mirrors
BRAKES:
- Brembo 4 Piston Brake Kit
TIRES:
- Toyo R888 265/35/18 Front, 235/40/18 Rear
INTERIOR:
Sparco:
- Steering Wheel
- 6-point race harness
- Race seat
Evasive Motorsports:
- Safety roll cage
- Custom carbon-fiber flooring and center console
- AIM MXS Race dash
Gallery