2011 Toyota Prius Offers All New PLUS Performance Package

So you've actually driven a Prius PLUS?

 

the prius corners like crap.

if i had the money to burn i would do it.


unfortunately my car is red

 

That old "lipstick on a pig" saying popped into my head as I was reading this thread.

 

i have not driven a prius+.... just my car with basic "mods"... with my car, i'm still missing the sway bar, springs, and a diet on the wheels... i'm sure my tires weigh more.

the only things i have that the prius+ car doesn't is a rear stiffening plate and a trailer hitch.

it would probably cost me more to get an equal set of springs and equal set of rims (sway bar too i guess)... plus, you get all the other crap...

 

The Prius+ is like ordering a large dinner from a set menu. It's a fair price if you like everything that's on the menu. The only thing you lack is choice.

Springs, sway bar, and nice JDM rims + tires you can do all for less than $3000. However, you can't do all that and a painted full body kit for less than 3k. So if you want all that, then I agree with V8, it's a worthy upgrade.

 

I totally agree. There are people who will test drive this car and realize it handles sooo much better than a standard Prius, even the V. This is not just a pretty package like most cars with upgraded ground effects kits. Thankfully this kit actually looks decent. The Corolla body kits are straight up disgusting!

 

I don't care if you put race spec 15" tires on the Prius, it will never handle like a Prius with 17s and a lowering kit.

I think more people should drive a modded Prius so they can understand how much better the car handles.

 

I really like the body kit and the stance (lowering) and coming from Toyota and knowing it's warrantied is awesome. I just don't like the rims at all. So I guess I will be going aftermarket rims and tires. I just wish the would part this out as I would buy everything but the rims and tires.

 

Ryan, just purchase aftermarket springs and the sway bar. They will work just as well as anything they put on the Plus package. Buying aftermarket parts will be cheaper in the long run.

 

Hey, if you like it? You like it. Sway bar, springs and wheels argueably are performance enhancing.

But most of it is cosmetic. I'm thinking you could do the other things separately for much less than 3 grand.

But you are right...it's not just cosmetic. Also, Toyota isn't the only automaker that offers "Sport" or "Performance" packages that when you scratch the surface have little to do with either "Sport" or "Performance".

Hey, I paid about a grand more for a "Sport" Honda Fit...basically because it offered creature comforts such as keyless door locks and Cruise Control.

But it was PURELY cosmetic...infact with the "Sport" front lip? The only performance difference is that it's far, far easier to scratch the front if you take a steep driveway.

I suppose I kind of like the idea that Toyota is at least trying to market the Prius as potentially "Sporty". To me there is no reason they shouldn't embrace that psychology.

A lot of times, you create the reality you dream. Why not Plus, performance "Sporty" Prius?

Purists might argue that there is nothing you can do to make The Prius a performance vehicle...and they would have a point depending on your definition of performance. But packages that have more to do with "Ego" or image have long dominated the reality of the Auto landscape.

I don't have anything against Toyota doing this...but the cost seems steep.

And actually? I'm in the weird minority that thinks The Prius has always looked good...without a PLUS package.

 

With the factory option, you won't need to worry about messing up the aerodynamics. Aftermarket wheels are not known (to my knowledge) to consider aerodynamics in their design. They focus on looks and reducing the weight.

I am curious about the ride comfort of the Plus Performance package.

 

This is all fluff. I'm waiting for an add-on turbocharger. This would greatly improve ICE performance without sacrificing weight.

 

But adding substantial cost, loss of reliability and crazy tuning to get it to work properly on an Atkinson engine that turns off and on repeatedly.

 

You'll have to wait for the Concept 2 to reach the production, hopefully available in Gen4 Prius.

 

"Concept 2 is a turbocharged lean burn concept, built on the base of concept 1. It also uses the long stroke design, with a high tumble ratio and a higher-energy ignition system (150 mJ).

The high tumble ratio intake port extends the lean limit from 19 to 23, Nakata said. In addition, the lean limit is also increased by using a spherical face on the piston. Furthermore, the high discharge current in the ignition system also gives a higher lean limit."

My only concern with this is how the flux dynamics are going to interact when running at such rates of sinusoidal detachment. I hope the engineers have taken that into account.

 

It's an awesome option for prospective owners of the lower trims who can't stand the 15" wheels.

I wonder how much the race-inspired 17" forged wheels weigh compared to the Five's 17" stockers?