![The 2023 Toyota Prius 'GR Concept' appearance in Thailand this week could be more than just a display, here's why... 01]()
A little intrigue, a dash of suspense, keeps things interesting. Action movies won't be as fun to watch if the hero comes out with his final form right at the outset; the little glimpses of their might, plus a hold-your-breath moment here and between are what makes the eventual good vs. bad fight so compelling to watch.
![The 2023 Toyota Prius 'GR Concept' appearance in Thailand this week could be more than just a display, here's why... 02]()
In a roundabout sort of way it's what Toyota's doing with their supposed "GR Prius". Word of a hotted-up variant of the world's best-selling hybrid has been making its rounds not long after the standard fifth-gen Prius was launched, and things only got fired up more with this particularly modded car.
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![The 2023 Toyota Prius 'GR Concept' appearance in Thailand this week could be more than just a display, here's why... 01]()
Officially it's known as the 2023 Toyota Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition. Long name, paying tribute to the 100th year of the iconic Le Mans 24-hour endurance race. Informally however, it could be a sign of things to come.
![The 2023 Toyota Prius 'GR Concept' appearance in Thailand this week could be more than just a display, here's why... 02]()
![The 2023 Toyota Prius 'GR Concept' appearance in Thailand this week could be more than just a display, here's why... 03]()
Today, the car is in Thailand, as part of the public display (which includes the WEC-winning GR010, Kalle Rovanperä's GR Corolla drift car and the WRC-winning GR Yaris) revolving around the Idemitsu Super Endurance Southeast Asia Trophy 2023 that takes place this weekend at the Chang International Circuit in an otherwise-serene Buriram.
![The 2023 Toyota Prius 'GR Concept' appearance in Thailand this week could be more than just a display, here's why... 04]()
Despite touring halfway around the world, plenty of it is still cloaked in secrecy, so we don't quite know what's the power and torque figures coming out of this hybrid system just yet.
Also read: The Prius everyone wants: Toyota Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition unveiled, inspired by race cars
![The 2023 Toyota Prius 'GR Concept' appearance in Thailand this week could be more than just a display, here's why... 05]()
The rest of the hardware is pretty dang serious; from race-inspired carbon-fibre aero beefing up its dimensions, to 40mm wider tracks, and all the way to 235/50 profile Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres hugging special 18-inch rims, it's likely something serious lurks within.
| 2023 Toyota Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition dimensions |
| Length |
4,690 mm |
| Width |
1,830 mm |
| Height |
1,400 mm |
| Wheelbase |
2,750 mm |
| Ground clearance |
120 mm |
| Front track |
1,600 mm |
| Rear track |
1,610 mm |
![The 2023 Toyota Prius 'GR Concept' appearance in Thailand this week could be more than just a display, here's why... 06]()
The base car is already pretty quick. In 223 PS (combined) plug-in hybrid trim, it can settle the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 6.7 seconds. This might have some secrets that blitzes this time...
![The 2023 Toyota Prius 'GR Concept' appearance in Thailand this week could be more than just a display, here's why... 07]()
So as Toyota continues to keep mum and our brains continue to find for something, Rookie Racing is fielding a 'production-spec Prius' in this weekend's endurance race. Something is definitely brewing in the background, and perhaps this are the first makings of a hero's eventual introduction.
Also read: Pushing the limits of a hybrid powertrain: First images of 2023 Toyota Prius endurance racer emerge
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