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2 1,093 views Dec 6, 2011

Toyota's GT300 Prius racer

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It looks like the Subaru BRZ won’t be the only new entry into the GT300 class of Japan’s Super GT series. If rumors are correct, the BRZ will be running against a Toyota Prius hybrid race car in the 2012 season.

In fact, the Prius may have another hybrid competitor, too: Spanish site Motorpassion F1 is reporting that the Toyota will be joined by a racing variant of Honda’s CR-Z sports hybrid. Details (and confirmation) are lacking for both cars, but we’ll know in January when the Super GT series announces teams and cars for the 2012 season.

If the information is correct, the Toyota Prius would replace the Toyota Corolla Axio that’s been run in the series since 2009. Although Honda HSV-010 GT models have campaigned in the GT500 class in recent years, Honda has been absent from the GT300 class since retiring the NSX in 2005. A CR-Z-based racer would mark the automaker’s return to GT300 competition, and would also help to spotlight the slow-selling CR-Z.

Current rules in GT300 allow for a variety of engine types, but cap horsepower at 300. It remains to be seen if either Toyota or Honda can produce a 300 horsepower variant of their compact hybrids that will stand up to the rigors of motorsport competition.

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Toyota Motorsports Modified Racing Green Hybrid Toyota Prius

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Comments (2)

gazzed Posted: 12/6/2011 3:11pm PST

Possibly a test bed so Toyota can find the strengths and weaknesses of their hybrid tech and tweak it properly in their assault at the 24 hours of LeMans.

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Kurt Ernst Posted: 12/7/2011 3:25am PST