Friday, 1 July 2011

Toyota Prius Plus Performance Package Brings Body Kit and Lower Springs

Toyota Prius Plus Performance Package Brings Body Kit and Lower Springs: "


The Toyota Prius is pretty much a rolling anathema for enthusiasts, so you’re probably not shocked that we greet the announcement of a performance package for the tadpole-shaped hybrid with some doubt. Nevertheless, mining the go-fast expertise of its Toyota Racing Development (TRD) division, Toyota has bundled a ground-effects package, 17-inch five-spoke forged aluminum wheels, “track-tuned” springs that lower the Prius by 1.1 inches up front and 1.3 inches in back, and a rear anti-roll bar to create the Plus Performance package. Toyota gives customers who opt for the kit a choice between white, silver, gray, and black exterior paints, and even throws in unique badges and floor mats.



Rather than play up the sporty additions to the hilt, Toyota is adamant that vehicles with the Plus package are still Priuses at heart. According to the company, the aero bits actually lower the car’s coefficient of drag and the lightweight forged aluminum wheels prevent any untoward weight gain, lest the mods come at the expense of fuel efficiency.


The comprehensive handling upgrades do seem to lend a whiff of authenticity to the concept of a “sporty Prius,” though, and we must admit that it looks rather purposeful sitting low on its 17-inch wheels—especially coated with the gray or black paint.



The Prius Plus package will be limited, says Toyota, and it will add $3699 to the price of a Prius Two, Three, or Four, and $2999 to the price of a Prius Five. (Those are trim levels, natch.) We’ll let you know if it lives up to the (modest) hype when we can get a PPP-equipped car to test.



"




Source : Google Reader

No comments: