A Toyota Prius as a pretend supercar may seem unwise, but it surprisingly appears quite fitting. | Carscoops

      An independent digital artist has reinterpreted the modest Toyota Prius as a sleek low-slung roadster with striking proportions.

      Twenty hours ago, Zephyr Designz digitally transformed the fifth-generation Toyota Prius into an audacious open-top roadster, drawing design influences from models by Lamborghini, McLaren, and Porsche. The imaginative CGI concept showcases artistic freedom, even though an actual production of this design is improbable.

      The Prius was previously recognized more for its efficiency rather than aesthetics, but the fifth generation, which debuted in late 2022, has altered that perception entirely. This hybrid pioneer has shed its uninspiring image and emerged as a much more stylish vehicle, appealing to both fans and digital creators alike.

      One such creator is the independent designer Vishnu Suresh, who is known as Zephyr Designz. He has taken the Prius transformation to a level of radical creativity, showing that even the simplest hybrid is not immune to supercar fantasies.

      The Prius Roadster abandons subtlety for boldness, showcasing proportions reminiscent of a Lamborghini rather than a Toyota. Its striking widebody kit is an evolution of earlier Prius concepts by the same artist, pushing the design into distinctly exotic territory.

      Only a few features from the original Prius remain intact, such as the hammerhead-style LED headlights, the narrow upper grille, part of the tailgate, and the windshield. Everything else has been reimagined, transforming the five-door fastback into a flamboyant two-door roadster.

      The fresh design incorporates ultra-wide fenders with integrated air vents surrounding large HRE alloys, vented bumpers, a sculpted hood, and deeper side skirts. With the roof removed, the cabin expands into a custom rear deck designed like a supercar engine cover. The dramatic redesign is completed with a ducktail spoiler and centrally mounted dual exhausts within the diffuser.

      Zephyr Designz drew on a diverse range of inspirations: the diffuser references the Porsche 911 Speedster, the hood vents pay homage to the McLaren 765LT, and the bold rear deck echoes the Lamborghini Aventador. The outcome is a Prius that resembles a fusion of Italian and German designs rather than anything produced in Toyota's facilities.

      Currently, the highest-performing Prius is a plug-in hybrid powertrain with 220 hp (164 kW / 223 PS), but the roadster's aggressive stance suggests it yearns for an even more powerful setup. A hypothetical mid-mounted V8 coupled with dual electric motors at the front could elevate it into the realm of Lamborghini, providing ample space in the rear for such an arrangement. While this may be purely speculative, if we're venturing into the realm of fantasy, why not aim high?

      Digital creations like this thrive on imagination rather than practicality; however, they can inspire real-world custom builds. Independent designers like Kyzyl Saleem have shown that transitioning from the digital landscape to actual vehicles is indeed possible.

      You can view CGI footage of the concept below, along with earlier prototypes of the closed-roof widebody Prius that laid the groundwork for this design.