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.
Print it: 
THIS WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE CAKE AS THE MOST DAMN UGLYIST CAR. I’D SMAKE IT AND SEND IT BACK PRONTO…..NUF SAID…..
“car-like handling” from a Pick-up? Made by TOYOTA?? I doubt it.
Thanks for that….You made me vomit!
I thikn the idea of a hybrid pick up is great, given that it has unlimted torque from whatever range, but the styling can really be changed
remember though, its for americans they probablt love it.
Can’t quite imagine it with a builder’s gear in the back.
IS IT ME OR CAN ANYONE ELSE SEE AN ANIMAL FACE TYPE THING IN THE FRONT END?? OR AM I SEEING THINGS??
Front On- Hate it looks hideous!
Rear-Doesnt look bad.
Interior Style- Some people wont like the style
Ever since I saw this “pick-up” I will never eat again.
Looks like someone punched it in the face
its a concept guys, they always look pretty radical.
it actually looks like it has come from the Hummer stable though i think.
“QUICK ROBIN……TO THE BAT UTE”….NANANANANA BATMAN!!
LOL…
I Agree MatthewM, To me it looks like it’s just came out of a masive crash!!
It definitely wont be able to fit a trail bike in the back with the tailgate up.. Unlike BOTH of our Aussie utes
BAT BIKES FIT THOUGH……HEHEHE
I didn’t know you were into bikes Wheelnut!
What kind of bat bikes fit in that?? Micro bikes? LOL
BM: I’m not really; it’s just that as utes are starting to evolve from work vehicles to life-style vehicles.. there would be those who would want to fit either the new Ducatti 1098; or Yamaha-ha 125 on the back for a bit of track work on weekends..
Even though that wouldn’t leave much room for “old bluey” or a couple of slabs which most aussies would feel is much more important!
even with tailgate down you would struggle to get a bike in. the tray would be actually wider than it is long.
the commy and falcon ute wont fit a bike in the tray with gate up and they are around 6.5ft and around 8ft with tail down.
the innovative stuff like power socket in tail gate etc reminds me of the concept 2 door falcon ute ford did in ‘00.
Yeash the sandfire ute was pretty cool. From what I remember.. it also had cut away front quarter panels and a special canvas canopy which could be turned into a tent siilar to the Torana Surf-ari Hatchback of the late 70s.
Last time I saw it was at the Ford Expo Centre in Geelong
The A-BAT [Advanced Break-thorugh Aerodynamic Truck] is pretty cool in so much that the rear window retracts and the rear seats fold flat not only to extend the tray but also give “bluey” some shelter from the heat or rain
Solar panels on the dash? Perfect for the hybrid generation, look like you are doing something, when in reality you are doing stuff all.
A solar panel that big would have to be in the sun for a year to even get a decent amount of charge into the battery. It might be fine to run the ventilation system when it is parked, but charging the battery is just plain ridiculous.
Guess you lot don’t like this then, neither do I, Its Toyotas idea of stimulating us all and wasting their money.
jesus christ that’s an ugly car
I can’t comment due to the fact I’d be repeating whav everyone else has said.
Did they scout the designers from Subaru for this one and say “Here, have a crayon”?
Attack Attack Attack. I think it looks alrite, grille could do with a change but as a concept its alright. As Toyota looks to hybrids for pick ups Ford and Holden look to what? V8s. There is a comparison for ya Wheelnut.
Not gone down well then. Back to the Crayola box for the designers.
Does that squared off wheel mean it’ll be steer-by-wire. Ooooh spooky, not sure I can handle that.
Geezus do people realise… THIS IS A CONCEPT. Like wheelnut, ‘oh it cant handle a trailbike’.. although I think the final version wont (its similar to the Hilux, which would struggle?)… you dont say things like that over a concept, the final product could be very different. This is yet again another Toyota witch hunt.
Not a Toyota witch hunt just another unpractical demonstration where vehicle design is going. More style no practicality
Sure its a Concept car……….but aren’t they NORMALLY wow thats hot not wow thats not!
You seen pics of Mazdas new RX9 for 2012… that is a beautiful car……
^^pretty sure those RX9 shots turned out to be photochops, if it was the one on autoblog the other day anyway – just check out that rear shot again. Did look pretty sweet though.
Yep I read the same thing………very Aston from the rear.
Toyota Paul, go to were your recent posts have been. And see how people responded to you ;)
OMG! iT can fit 2 push bikes in the back!!!
Paul, it looks ugly in concept, it’s just a show.
if people remember ford did a 4 door falcon ute concept (called R5) in ‘00 (7 years ago) that showcased many of these innovative features.
it had rear seats that folded into the cab to make tray bigger
240V power supply in the rear bumper
and a 50L fresh water tank built into the rear bumper aswell.
the only thing it was missing was hybrid technology, but yet again this was 7-8 yrs ago
And at least that Ford concept Ute had some practicality.
TP -This is the time for people to say what thy like and what they don’r like about a car.. when it’s a “concept”
Because after receiving feedback from potential customers the car companies know what features to keep and what to drop then make the necessary changes to the car before it reaches production inorder to increase sales and avoid being a lemon/flop/dud
Which the chances of this concept car; given that it’s a sports truck aimed predominantly at the US – to compete with the Honda Ridgeliner and Dodge Rampage; are very good
it looks very similar to the US honda!!!
I cant see how hybrid powerplants are the answer?
Its a concept car, a concept cars looks are ment to be striking and generate buzz. There is no way conservative Toyota will roll a car off the production line looking like that.
Though it will be intersting given the hilux’ repuation what a hybrid version will do.
I’ve seen something like this before, Its supposed to look like and animal of sorts. THeres a lot of this about including the Landrover LRX. Lovely looking but just not practical.
this would possibly end up a hybrid under a hilux body
Why are we always on the brink of disaster before we get anything affordable? By now solar panels should be mass produced inexpensively. German diesels are getting better mileage than the prius. Why haven’t they thought of a diesel hybrid? The Queen Elizabeth oceanliner did that years back- electric motors power the props.
Looks better than our under-tyred Hilux.
I like it a real heap. Leave it as is or slightly alter front grille. As a concept is unreal – Toyota should fast track it as would do real well and I would probably get. CONGRATS TOYOTA!
Actually…would change rear suicide doors to be bit wider and inside dash looks wrong. BLOODY GOOD LOOK BUT!
^Oh NO! did toyota Paul steal Colonel Klink’s name again?
OZ…being a true Falcon supporter and other car maker supporter – I dont obsessively like one out and out car maker. Going with this line of thought I like this car as looks great and very 21st Century. Line this up against a Territory and its light years more modern!
Yes it’s a great concept!
^But It will never, EVER leave the plant like that!!!
Happy New Year…………..OZ……..
Got to go…….guests awaiting for the count down……as we live on the escarpment we can see all the fire works that go off……….Australia day is great for it to……..night !
Happy new year BM!
That’s right, you live in WA, so you get your new year later.