Toyota Unveils Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition to Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Legendary Race
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the most prestigious and challenging endurance races in the world. This year, the iconic French race celebrates its centennial anniversary edition, and Toyota has unveiled a special edition hybrid to mark the occasion. The Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition pays tribute to the legendary event and Toyota’s history as a competitor at Le Mans.
The Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition boasts a unique design that sets it apart from the standard Prius model. The car features a black and red livery inspired by Toyota’s TS050 Hybrid race car that competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The front grille and rear spoiler are finished in black, while the side skirts, mirror caps, and rear diffuser are finished in red. The car also features a set of 17-inch black alloy wheels with red accents.
Under the hood, the Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition is powered by a hybrid powertrain that combines a 1.8-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor. The system delivers a total output of 121 horsepower and is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 9.8 seconds and has a top speed of 112 mph.
The Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition also comes equipped with a range of advanced safety and convenience features. These include Toyota Safety Sense, which includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, and dynamic radar cruise control. The car also features a 7-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as a JBL premium audio system.
The Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition is a limited edition model, with only 240 units available for sale in Japan. The car will be priced at 3.9 million yen (approximately $36,000).
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Toyota’s History at Le Mans
Toyota has a long history of competing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Japanese automaker first entered the race in 1985 with the Toyota 85C-L, but it wasn’t until 1998 that the company achieved its first podium finish with the Toyota GT-One. In 2018, Toyota finally claimed its first victory at Le Mans with the TS050 Hybrid, driven by Fernando Alonso, Sebastien Buemi, and Kazuki Nakajima.
The TS050 Hybrid is a hybrid-electric race car that features a 2.4-liter twin-turbo V6 engine and an electric motor. The car is capable of producing over 1,000 horsepower and can reach speeds of up to 220 mph. The TS050 Hybrid has been a dominant force in the FIA World Endurance Championship, winning the championship in 2014, 2018, and 2019.
Toyota’s Commitment to Hybrid Technology
The Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition is a testament to Toyota’s commitment to hybrid technology. The Prius was the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car when it was introduced in Japan in 1997. Since then, Toyota has sold over 15 million hybrid vehicles worldwide, including the Prius, Camry Hybrid, and RAV4 Hybrid.
Hybrid technology combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor to deliver improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Toyota’s hybrid system uses regenerative braking to recharge the battery while driving, further improving fuel economy. The Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition is a prime example of how hybrid technology can be applied to high-performance vehicles, delivering both power and efficiency.
Toyota’s Future Plans for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
Toyota has ambitious plans for the future of hybrid and electric vehicles. The company aims to sell 5.5 million electrified vehicles per year by 2025, including 1 million zero-emission vehicles. Toyota plans to achieve this goal by expanding its lineup of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, as well as introducing new electric vehicles.
In 2020, Toyota launched the RAV4 Prime, a plug-in hybrid SUV that delivers an impressive 42 miles of all-electric range. The company also plans to introduce a new electric SUV in 2022, based on the e-TNGA platform developed in partnership with Subaru. Toyota is also working on solid-state batteries, which promise to deliver higher energy density and faster charging times than traditional lithium-ion batteries.
Conclusion
The Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition is a special edition hybrid that celebrates the 100th anniversary of the legendary endurance race. The car pays tribute to Toyota’s history at Le Mans and the company’s commitment to hybrid technology. With its unique design, advanced safety features, and efficient hybrid powertrain, the Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition is a fitting tribute to one of the most iconic races in the world. As Toyota continues to push the boundaries of hybrid and electric vehicle technology, we can expect to see more innovative and exciting models in the years to come.
