√Toyota Prius could get GRMN hot-hatch treatment

Wearing Toyota’s most hardcore performance badge, could this plug-in hybrid Prius GRMN be a real hot-hatch contender?

Japanese car giant Toyota is closer than ever to putting a high-performance variant of the popular Prius hybrid into production, if new overseas reports are accurate.

According to respected Japanese media outlet Best Car, this upcoming hot hatch could be called the Toyota Prius GRMN, and make use of plug-in hybrid power.

The Best Car report claims the hybrid hot hatch will use the 2.0-litre plug-in power unit – driven on petrol or electricity – currently found in the latest Prius Prime sold in markets outside of Australia.

This system pairs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a single electric motor drawing power from a 13.6kWh lithium-ion battery.

Power is sent to the front wheels through Toyota’s E-CVT automatic transmission.

Combined power for the system is a claimed 164kW, and Toyota says the Prius Prime is able to hit 100km/h from a standing start in 6.7 seconds.

The Japanese media report says Toyota is seeking to increase power and improving the vehicle’s responsiveness – and artificially create better engine and exhaust sounds.

With these upgrades, it’s possible the Toyota Prius GRMN could eclipse the 225kW currently offered by a similar plug-in hybrid system – albeit with a 2.5-litre engine and dual-motor all-wheel drive – by Toyota’s RAV4 Prime SUV.

These upgrades in the engine department will reportedly be backed up by improved body rigidity, and an upgrade of the suspension and brake systems.

Considering Toyota’s ‘GRMN’ is the highest tier in the Gazoo Racing nomenclature, it is hoped the Prius GRMN would live up to these performance expectations.

Toyota kicked off rumours of a high-performance Prius when Gazoo Racing unveiled a “Le Mans-inspired” hybrid concept to celebrate the 100th running of the endurance race.

MORE: Toyota GR Prius hybrid hot-hatch concept unveiled

Dubbed the Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition, this concept received a number of exterior upgrades to give it a more performance-orientated appearance.

Thanks to the motorsport-inspired body kit, the Prius GR concept is 90mm longer, 50mm wider, and 30mm lower than a standard model.

It remains unclear whether these over-the-top styling themes will carry over to a production version of the Toyota Prius GRMN.

This most recent report from Best Car doesn’t mention a reveal date, but a previous report from the publication speculated on an unveiling in early 2024.

Despite Australia’s love of Toyota GR vehicles, it’s unlikely the rumoured Prius GRMN would be sold locally, considering Toyota Australia has for now elected to side-step the fifth generation of the pioneering hybrid model.

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