Page 1 of 1 The Prius is the first of a new breed of car, one that uses less petrol and produces much lower emissions, especially around town. Hybrid - it denotes a combination of two power sources - will become more and more common as Toyota and others work to provide a sustainable alternative to the fossil fuel burning engine. Toyota is the leader in hybrid technology and recently celebrated the production of its 100,000th hybrid vehicle.
A 71hp 1.5 litre petrol engine and a 44hp electric motor power the Prius. The battery for the electric motor is continuously charged by both the petrol engine and by regenerative braking so the car requires no external charging.The rally Prius runs in the Group N (showroom) class.
Prius and the technology within it have won Toyota many awards around the world, but competition was never part of the plan for this most eco friendly of cars until Nik Berg had the idea to enter one in the Midnight Sun to Red Sea Rally.
The Toyota Prius finished the gruelling 5,000 mile, three-week Midnight Sun to Red Sea Rally in 14th place overall. This secures the Prius' place in motoring and motorsport history as the first hybrid car to enter and finish an official, FIA sanctioned event. Page 1 of 1