Toyota A-bat

[Devinda_Z]

Toyota is about to raise the bar in terms of the future of the American Truck as it unveils its latest small pick up - the A-BAT

It is set to uses a hybrid gas-electric power supply similar to the Prius sedan, but is said to have been inspiration for its design apparently stems from a drastically different source - the NATO Unimog military trucks. The original trapezoid cabin shape of the A-BAT has had the edges smoothened to make it both more realistic and aerodynamically sound.

The core logic for the design is on the premise that "Sporty" is good and "Utility" is better - throw in efficiency, and it’s a 'Winner'!

The A-BAT will likely slot in to Toyota existing truck line up under the Tundra and midsize Tacoma there by making a new segment in terms of a small pickup truck. Given the A-BAT's dimensions it will most probably be build on the same platform as the RAV4

One of the features unlikely to make mass production would be the solar panels placed above the dashboard/steering column that could power the car's onboard electronics. one of the more interesting interior features is the 7" LCD display which also acts as a GPS - this unit is removable and as such would be ideally suited for the would-be pickup user.

Furthermore truck aficionados would be thrilled no doubt with the sliding drawer under the load bed which is further supplemented by lockable drawers in the load bed sides + nifty touches such as the multi function tailgate which not only houses A/C sockets and a first aid kit, but also illuminates the load bay

Although small in size the versatility of the configurations possible in terms of folding n flattening everything from the roof to the seats to the tailgate, means that the 15ft long 6ft wide A-BAT manages to create a load bay capable of carrying a 4ft x 8ft plywood sheet in the back!

all in all the A-BAT seems the perfect small sized entrant into the fast changing landscape of American trucks , where fuel efficiency , style and design have begun to take precedence over pain ole brut force n size.

oh and don't forget thier new "T" for Tough , Toyota tagline

[Devinda_Z]

[dinosh]

This concept seems to have been inspired from the Honda Ridgeline & the front lights look like from the Evo X.

[mazdaspeed]

the door concept from the Mazda RX8 too and the rear lights too look a lot similar like the Evo X

[GTAm]

The overall proportions are odd to me - that sketch looks so much better. Anyway it's adventurous for a Toyota. I hope they don't water down the productin version as is usual.

[miniace]

It is set to uses a hybrid gas-electric power supply similar to the Prius sedan,

Oh then its going to be bloody-expensive !! Thanks for sharing DevZ !

MINIACE

[Devinda_Z]

i didn't want to open a seperate thread for this , but get this - a Toyota being used as a supposrt vehicle for the by TForce Motorsports Baja 500 has a GM engine underh the hood!

TForce Motorsports has tuned and tweaked its Tundra D-Cab PreRunner and slotten in a Chevrolet LS2 V8, positioned aft between the cargo box and rear cabin, behind the b-pillar.

Output : 375-hp and 400 lb-ft of torque on Pemex gas (instead of racing fuel)." The truck also uses King off-road racing shocks and Baja T/A tires from BF Goodrich.

The team is owned or sponsored by a Toyota dealer and Toyota itself - which is understandable given the engine

[Devinda_Z]

Toyota seems to be going toally nuts with these new concepts and one offs - look at what they've done with the sensible little Aygo?!!

This manic little Toyota "GTI" version Hot Hatch officially dubbed the "AYGO CRAZY" has the infamous 1.8L VVTi motor which is said to be tuned to crank out jsut under 200 horses!

This one off has got all the obvious styling cues of a car that is made to be brisk!

Carbon Fibre rear wing , Roll Cage , 17" Rims - its got it all!

[Pericles]

The "infamous" motor from the Corolla T Sport and the Elise?

[Devinda_Z]

The "infamous" motor from the Corolla T Sport and the Elise?

yup thats the one

hmmm so the Boss runs a mildly de-tuned version of this same motor then?

[isam]

Toyota is about to raise the bar in terms of the future of the American Truck as it unveils its latest small pick up - the A-BAT

That's some versatile vehicle, a double cab that can provide on demand cargo space... wow!

[Devinda_Z]

That's some versatile vehicle, a double cab that can provide on demand cargo space... wow!

the concept is quite cool , but whether or not this will ever make production is another issue

but given the recent downturn in US demand for big pickup trucks , this concept might be just what the doctor ordered

[TomaHAWK]

Thanks for the info..

Wonder what BHP , and Torque this will fit in to. Prius sedan is good to drive around town but crap when it need more power / torque. Toyota needs to develop much better engine for this 4x4 as it needed, but how will they keep the green concept?

[Pericles]

yup thats the one

hmmm so the Boss runs a mildly de-tuned version of this same motor then?

Thats something that never clicked. Madz, whats the motor on the Luxel?