Toyota A-BAT hybrid pickup concept
December 29, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
As we reported yesterday, Toyota is planning to sell one million hybrids a year early next decade, in order to that though, the Japanese giant needs to invest heavily in many new models and hybrid variants. This is the first of many to come.
Named the A-BAT hybrid pickup concept, this little compact ute will be officially unveiled at next year’s Detroit Motor Show (we will be there to bring you exclusive photos).
Powered by Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, Toyota says the A-BAT will bring good fuel economy as well as modern functionality and “car-like handling” to the compact pickup segment.
It wouldn’t be a concept if it didn’t do something cool, and it does. The A-BAT has built in translucent solar panels in the top surface of the instrument panel, allowing it to convert sunlight into energy for the hybrid engine.
The A-BAT also receives a four-foot bed that stretches to six-feet when the tailgate is opened. A first aid kit, flashlight, sliding tie downs, and an AC power outlet are all integrated into the tailgate.
You can also check your email and browse the web thanks to a 7-inch screen connected via Wi-Fi. The car also includes an advanced MP3 player with a hard drive.
Will it make it to production? It will depend on the reaction it receives in Detriot, but given Toyota’s hybrid goals, it would seem likely.
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who cares what it looks like, how many miles per gallon,,, it better be over 50 for that look, dont even think about building a hybrd pickup if its only gonna be 50 or less mpg, where is 100 mpg Its 2008 pull your head out and use your brain. with today’s tech we should have 200 mpg and just as appealing as the prom queen, you people need to get moving on this, this is not an incentive to anyone, where’s your supervisor? on vacation with the quality control supervisor… laughing their butts off and wasting the profits… fire them both and get back to work already, cheese and rice people come on