Not Your Normal Tree Huggers’ Prius

Enjoying fresh air is one of those little enjoyments in life.  Taking in a deep breath of oxygen can revitalize the body and mind.  Having your oxygen sensor warning light come on in your vehicle can do exactly the opposite.  Each time the oxygen sensor on my car goes bad I want to sell my car and go live amongst the fresh air in the mountains.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I would have to get a vehicle. Maybe I would stick with the environment friendly theme and go with a Prius.  Actually, forget being friendly to mother earth. I would buy the new Prius GT300.

The Prius as a race car? No way! Ok, maybe a race to see who can transport the most granola on the least amount of gas, but not an actual race.  It took me a while to believe it, but it looks like Toyota is going to make a Prius that can compete in the Super GT Series.  That means they’re going to produce a Prius which has at least 300 horsepower.  Considering a stock Prius comes with an 80 horsepower electric motor and a 98 horsepower gas engine, the boys at Toyota have some work to do.

Now, is Toyota choosing the Prius as their Super GT car because they think it gives them the best chance to win, or are they trying to muscle up its image?  This question is up for debate.  I know that my perception will be different when I see one flying around corners at 200 mph, instead of crawling through a Whole Foods’ parking lot.

There’s buzz that Toyota isn’t the only one entering a hybrid into the Super GT race series.  Honda is reportedly getting the CR-Z ready to race with the big boys too.  With all this hybrid racing going on, who is going to have time to save the whales?