Toyota Engineers Create AWD Prius Rally Car

Surprising Project

The Toyota Prius can be credited for bringing hybrid power to the masses. It may not have been the first hybrid vehicle to market, but it has been one of the most successful. Regardless, no one will ever accuse the Prius of being anything but a fuel-sipper, as it doesn't offer anything in terms of performance or driving excitement. So we were a bit surprised to learn that Toyota had created an all-wheel-drive Prius rally car, though, in all fairness, it was sort of an off-hours side project built by a trio of engineers.

Photos: Toyota

Gut Job

The team that created the Prius rally machine also previously put together the Corolla iM rally car, so they obviously know what they're doing. With this particular build, they started with a Prius AWD-e model, first gutting the cabin and making it safe for racing with a roll cage, Sparco racing seats, five-point harnesses, and plexiglass windows.

Photos: Toyota

>>Join the conversation about this Prius Rally build right here in Club Lexus.

Fairly Stock

Aside from its new livery, the exterior of the rally Prius remains fairly stock, with the exception of a roof scoop, LED lighting, tow hooks, and skid plates to protect its mechanicals from blunt objects. Otherwise, it's pretty much just like the average Prius you'd see in the local health food store parking lot.

Photos: Toyota

>>Join the conversation about this Prius Rally build right here in Club Lexus.

Yawn Inducing Powertrain

The drivetrain also remains untouched, which means, well, that it's slow. With a 1.3-kWh nickel-metal hydride battery pack on board, the car's gas/electric powertrain produces a mere 128 horsepower, good for a yawn-inducing 0-60 time of 10.7 seconds. But ultimate power wasn't the goal here.

Photos: Toyota

>>Join the conversation about this Prius Rally build right here in Club Lexus.

Suspension Mods

The meat of the build lies in its suspension, which has received a number of upgrades to make it fit for a rally stage. They include dampers taken from the RAV4 TRD, rear springs from the Camry and Avalon TRD models, bump stops, and the removal of the factory anti-roll bars to help with articulation. Overall, the rally Prius sits 0.7 inches higher than stock for a little extra ground clearance.

Photos: Toyota

>>Join the conversation about this Prius Rally build right here in Club Lexus.

No Nannies

The engineers decided to keep the stock 15-inch wheels, but wrapped them with Cooper Rally tires. They also removed the factory handbrake and disconnected the stability-control and anti-lock braking system to make it better slide around corners. 

Photos: Toyota

>>Join the conversation about this Prius Rally build right here in Club Lexus.

Finding a Home

Since hybrid rallying isn't quite a thing just yet, the Prius rally car has only been able to compete in one ARA untimed exhibition class thus far, where it proved to be rather reliable. Toyota plans on adding more power to the car soon, then figuring out where it can actually compete. If nothing else, it proves that the Prius can be fun, after all, and not just an appliance used to get from point A to point B.

Photos: Toyota

>>Join the conversation about this Prius Rally build right here in Club Lexus.

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