Skip to main content

Fuel Saving Fun

The Toyota Prius has a reputation as a car favoured by tree-hugging Hollywood stars, but a former colleague of the World Highways editor has proven that despite its reputation for economy, the Toyota Prius can serve as a racetrack tool. The driver has con rmed that his vehicle was o cially the ninth fastest of its type around the famous Nordschleife (Nürburgring) race track in Germany, beating 27 other similar models at the time of its run. The unmodi ed Prius T4 managed to complete the 20.8km section of t
April 16, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
The 2728 Toyota Prius has a reputation as a car favoured by tree-hugging Hollywood stars, but a former colleague of the 3260 World Highways editor has proven that despite its reputation for economy, the Toyota Prius can serve as a racetrack tool. The driver has confirmed that his vehicle was officially the ninth fastest of its type around the famous Nordschleife (Nürburgring) race track in Germany, beating 27 other similar models at the time of its run. The unmodified Prius T4 managed to complete the 20.8km section of track open to the public in 15 minutes 34 seconds. The owner did however hold true to the image of the fuel economy concerned Prius driver by adding that the car achieved 13.94km/litre (39.6mpg) even while pedal to the metal at the racetrack. However it is worth noting that record times for completing the 20.8km circuit in unmodified (but high performance) road cars are under 7 minutes, with racing cars having managed faster laps still.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Road trains project saves space as well as fuel
    February 23, 2012
    A high-tech European project involving cars could reduce fuel consumption by up to one-fifth as Patrick Smith reports. A new EU project, Sartre, is aimed at developing and testing technology for vehicles that can drive themselves in long road trains on motorways.
  • Developments in hybrid vehicles
    February 27, 2012
    There is an array of future vehicle solutions in development - Mike Woof reports. Ever since Henry Ford's Model T showed that the motor car could provide transport for ordinary people rather than being an exclusive toy of the rich, vehicle numbers have exploded. In every country around the world, vehicle ownership continues to grow.
  • SuperPrixmat Ultra for Donington race track
    June 8, 2023
    Aggregate Industries completed the paving using its high-grip SuperPrixmat Ultra asphalt at the UK racing circuit just ahead of the British Superbike Championship last month.
  • Motorway madness
    September 24, 2019
    A cyclist was recently spotted on the UK’s busy M25 motorway pedalling along the hard shoulder in the wrong direction. Police were alerted by a CCTV operator who saw the rider as he rode past a camera. Officers quickly responded and escorted the cyclist to a place of safety after providing a few words on safety. Cycling is banned on the UK’s motorways.