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Love it or hate it, there’s no denying the Tesla Cybertruck’s design is a guaranteed head-turner. Since the US electric pioneer officially announced the electric ute in 2019, the Cybertruck’s unique styling has spawned numerous replicas ranging from DIY knock-offs to heavily modified cars.
While we're used to all kinds of wacky custom vehicles here at Drive, imagine our surprise when we came across this electric Toyota Prius masquerading as a Tesla Cybertruck.
According to eBay user Johnny Lange, who goes by the username wildyoats on the online marketplace platform, the 2004 Prius has been completely transformed to replicate the Cybertruck’s angular exterior.
Appropriately named ‘Toyota Cybercop’, Lange said he was inspired to create the “silly idea to poke a little fun at a recent Cyber-something that was released [in 2024]”.
While the Utah native didn’t state what that model was, Drive speculates it could be the new self-driving Tesla robotaxi dubbed the ‘Cybercab’ that was announced in October 2024.
To replicate the Tesla Cybertruck’s distinct exterior, Lange said he built an exoskeleton structure using steel tubing to form the foundations.
Once he perfected the dimensions, the Utah native used aluminium sheets to mimic the electric ute’s body panels before it was vinyl-wrapped and customised with unique space police livery, red and white overhead lights, as well as decorative weapons located at the front and rear side panels.
The build reportedly took four months, with Lange sourcing a Toyota Prius donor car locally, with the interior remaining stock despite modifications to its exterior.
Though the pint-sized electric hatch is 21 years old, the US resident said “the car itself runs well. It doesn’t set any land speed records, but it scoots fine. There are no drips, no leaks, it doesn’t smoke, and it operates under its own power”.
Lange said the custom one-off vehicle was auctioned on eBay for charity, with the Utah native stating “100 per cent of the auction and price (not just the proceeds, the entire amount”. The Toyota Cybercop sold for $USD4550, which equates to approximately $AUD6928.
Before he sold it, the Utah local said he’s taken the custom car everywhere, from car shows to charity events. However, Lange said it’s Halloween when the Toyota Cybercop really starts to draw widespread attention.
“Halloween is an absolute riot! Of course, kids absolutely LOVE the creation, and some adults do too. Be prepared while you’re out and about, and people will be snapping photos left and right,” Lange stated on the eBay listing. The Toyota Cybercop is a fully road-registered and the ‘Cybercop’ licence plates are also genuine.
Though it’s unlikely Toyota will build its Cybertruck rival, the Japanese marque has been busy building out its electric ‘bZ’ range, with the car maker recently launching the bZ7, a large electric sedan bigger than the Camry, in China.
However, it’s unlikely the bZ7 sedan will join its only battery-powered sibling in Australia, the bZ4X SUV, with Toyota’s local division not officially confirming if the large battery-powered sedan will come to local showrooms.
Though the marque has remained tight-lipped on its electrification plans, a key executive said the brand is looking to offer various battery-powered options in the next couple of years.
Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia's head of sales and marketing, previously told Drive, “By the end of 2030, the vast majority of our cars will have some form of electrification, whether it's hybrid plug-in, hybrid battery, electric vehicle, or fuel-cell electric vehicle”.
Ethan Cardinal graduated with a Journalism degree in 2020 from La Trobe University and has been working in the fashion industry as a freelance writer prior to joining Drive in 2023. Ethan greatly enjoys investigating and reporting on the cross sections between automotive, lifestyle and culture. Ethan relishes the opportunity to explore how deep cars are intertwined within different industries and how they could affect both casual readers and car enthusiasts.
