In a feat bound to delight the marketing department at Toyota, the Toyota Prius has established a land speed record for hybrid cars.

Of course this record was not set with a stock Prius from the showroom for $21,415. Toyota engineers changed the gear ratios and boosted the output of the electric component of the engine, as well as adding a transmission cooling system. They also lowered the car five inches to improve aerodynamics and slapped on a set of custom made Goodyear tires. They gutted the interior to save weight, but added a roll cage for safety so some of the weight savings was negated.

What did all of this modification get them? A whopping 130.793 mph.

I have no doubt, since they are already planning to exhibit the record setting hybrid at the Detroit Motor Show in January that this speed record will find its way into Prius advertising and marketing.

I'm not a gear-head by any definition so I have no realistic basis on which to evaluate how much additional speed was gained by the modifications, but 131 mph doesn't really impress me. Had they hit 131 with a stock Prius, that would have significant.

But apparently some are impressed. The Prius is the European Car of the Year for 2005. I suspect they are talking about “Old Europe.”

Posted by: Stephen Macklin at 02:46 PM | No Comments | Add Comment