The Tokyo Auto Salon is currently housing two cars that show off the new 'G Sports' conversion car series. First there's an
updated FT-86, which seems to suit being a G. But then there's this, ahem, interesting thing.
The Prius G Sports Concept is, believe it or not, actually going to be sold in Japan, wheel spats and everything, because any Japanese tuning car fetishist would absolutely love to be seen rolling in a Prius. Of course. The G cars are supposed to offer the distinct looks of the Japanese tuning scene, but without having to go to an aftermarket tuner: Toyota does all the work in-house.
The G moniker is derived from other classic Toyotas with a G in the name, like the 2000GT and the Celica GT-Four, and although the maker doesn't say which models will be eligible for the G treatment, it seems as though most will. We're not sure either if the UK dealership network will be able to offer a G overhaul.
Changes specific to the Prius are a suspension overhaul and proper sports seats, although despite Toyota saying that it offers 'sport driving performance' and using the phrase 'driving seasoning' a number of times, it seems there are no performance enhancing revisions. That's unless you use your Prius on regular track days, obviously, in which case the flatter cornering facilitated by the stiffer springs will theoretically mean higher exit speeds. The spats might lift the top speed by 1mph or so too.
Mark Nichol - 18 Jan 2010