Japanese team reveals Toyota Prius-based race car

Jan 19, 2016, 6:23am ET

APR Racing\'s Prius boasts a 3.5-liter V6.

A Japanese team named APR Racing is preparing to compete in Japan's Super GT series with the all-new, fourth-generation Toyota Prius.

APR's race car is no ordinary Prius. The Japanese builder has added center-locking alloy wheels tucked under absolutely massive fender flares, a deep bumper with a big air vent and a splitter, side skirts, and an oversized wing that provides downforce. All told, the race car is much lower and considerably wider than the regular-production hatchback it's loosely based on.

The cockpit gains a bucket seat, a multi-function steering wheel crafted out of carbon fiber, a digital information display that replaces the instrument cluster, and, of course, a full roll cage. APR has removed all equipment deemed superfluous in order to make the Prius as light as possible.

The Prius' 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine has been tossed out and replaced by a naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6. Performance specifications haven't been published yet, though APR points out the electric motors found in the standard Prius have been installed in the race car with only minor modifications.

The fourth-generation Toyota Prius is scheduled to make its competition debut on April 9th at the Okayama Circuit in Japan. It will compete in Super GT's GT300 class, meaning it will need to fend off competition from a wide array of cars ranging from a BMW Z4 to a Nissan GT-R in order to capture the top spot on the podium.