Toyota Racing Development Debuts Prius Oomph-Defying 'Performance Package'

Toyota Racing Development Debuts Prius Oomph-Defying 'Performance Package'

By Scott Doggett November 2, 2010

Toyota Racing Development, the in-house tuning shop for all Toyota, Lexus, and Scion cars, is responsible both for improving street cars for more performance and supporting Toyota's racing interests around the world.

If you want to buy Toyota and you suffer from a need for speed, you'll want a Toy with TRD upgrades.

So how cool is it that the dynamometer-worshipping titans of torque at Toyota would look upon a Prius - yes, a Prius - and say, "Let's do 'er!"? The correct answer is, of course, It's totally freakin' cool!!!

So when Toyota said this morning that the 2010 SEMA Show in Las Vegas that started today will mark the debut of the all-new Toyota Prius PLUS Performance Package - "a new hybrid performance line by Toyota Racing Development" - we darn near choked on our triple espressos.

It was, on the face of it, the improbable love child of Godzilla and Bambi, a rush-inducing, Greenpeace-approved freakily fuel-efficient model for the masses. Just what Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ordered for the popular-yet-impotent hybrid.

"Developed to meet the evolving demands of the growing hybrid segment, PLUS enhances the driving experience for Toyota hybrid enthusiasts by offering cool and fun accessories that add sporty looks with performance handling," Toyota said in a statement.

"The new PLUS package also features several Toyota accessories that complement the Prius' core values of Eco and Advanced Technologuy. The end result is a more fun-to-drive, performance-enhanced Prius that maintains its industry-leading fuel efficiency."

Yeah, yeah, yeah, fun accessories, sporty looks. Tell us about the performance enhancements! we screamed as we read the statement.

Uh, therein lies a little problem. "The Prius PLUS Performance Package starts with a seven-piece aerodynamic body kit, including a uniquely styled rear diffuser, which enhances its already sleek appearance and maintains its 0.25 coefficient of drag," Toyota said.

Maintains its coefficient of drag? No, TRD improves model's coefficient of drag. It doesn't merely maintain it.

The aero kit also includes front and rear bumper spoilers and side skirts, which are complemented by race-inspired 17-inch forged wheels, we read. "Their higher strength-to-weight ratio assists in keeping the corner weight down and performance up, while maintaining the Prius' overall light vehicle weight and high fuel efficiency," we read.

So, uh, it weighs the same and remains fuel efficient? That's not what TRD is about - unless it's doing this while increasing torque or horsepower. But that's not happening here.

Basically, the only thing the PLUS package seems to do, according to the statement, is "improve performance handling is achieved with the installation of sport-tuned lowering springs that provide a lower center of gravity, enhancing the vehicles on-road performance through quicker turn-in, enhanced steering response and improved cornering ability. A rear sway bar is added to reduce body roll for flatter, more stable cornering and maneuverability."

In other words, it's a little lower to the ground and got a sway bar it really didn't need because the car was rather frigid - we mean rigid - performance-wise already.

The Prius PLUS package includes exclusive floormats with a "PLUS" logo and a unique "PLUS" exterior badge, which, as far as we're concerned, does little more than support our conclusion that the package is all looks and no action.

Nonetheless, Toyota boasts that the "new Prius PLUS Performance Package represents the first installment of the new PLUS brand of accessories from Toyota and will be available in limited production beginning in April 2011."

We can't hardly - big yawn, pardon us - wait.

Scott Doggett, Contributing Editor

Scott Doggett:  is an AutoObserver.com Associate Editor.