Prius Sets Landspeed Record

03/21/2005

A Toyota Landspeed Prius has become the first production hybrid to race across the Bonneville Salt Flats, setting a hybrid speed record of 130.794 mph, piloted in turn by an automotive journalist and two Toyota executives. While no hybrid vehicle class existed prior to the Prius run, this hybrid's maiden voyage ensures the record books are now open for contention. An engineering group from Toyota and Toyota Motorsports prepared the Landspeed Prius for two months, making it capable of record-setting speed and extreme conditions.

The Landspeed Prius uses a stock Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, with the same electric motor and 1.5-liter gasoline engine found in the street car. However, the transmission final drive gear ratio was modified from 4.23:1 to 3.2:1, the inverter voltage was increased to 550 volts from 500 volts, and the engine redline was altered to optimize performance. A transmission cooling system was added to the front passenger compartment to keep the inverter and electric motors from overheating in the 100° F heat, requiring ice to be added to the system constantly.

Additional modifications include the complete removal of the interior trim, the addition of a roll cage, and lowering the suspension by five inches to improve the already stellar aerodynamics of the Prius shape. The inner fender wells were carved out to accommodate the lowered ride height and unique 26-inch front/25-inch rear Goodyear Eagle Landspeed Record tires. Custom Bilstein shocks and stiff Eibach springs were also fitted to provide stable high-speed handling.

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