Toyota To Debut Hybrid Pickup Truck

The A-BAT Will Feature Improved Fuel Economy, Lower Emissions, High-Tech Gadgets

(CBS/AP)  Toyota Motor Corp. plans to introduce a concept hybrid pickup truck featuring improved fuel economy and lower emissions at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the automaker said Friday.

The A-BAT concept vehicle is equipped with Hybrid Synergy Drive, Toyota's third-generation gas-electric hybrid powertrain technology, according to the company. Its trapezoidal profile was borrowed from the Prius, another hybrid Toyota vehicle.

"This concept is the next evolution of the compact truck," said Kevin Hunter, president of Calty Design Research Inc., Toyota's North American-based research and design center, in a statement.

The four-passenger pickup features a 4-foot bed, while a translucent roof panel slides open to allow for tall cargo inside the cab. The bed can be extended by 2 feet by folding down the pass through midgate into the cab and by another 2 feet by opening the tailgate.

The truck uses a unibody platform for improved handling and a smoother ride. Inside, there is a retractable portable navigation unit with a 7-inch screen and wireless Internet, while the center console houses a portable battery pack.

Both the driver and front passenger have large display screens to view the status of their high-tech gadgets and climate and audio settings.

The A-BAT has solar panels atop the instrument panel to capture sunlight and convert it to energy, to assist in charging the navigation unit, battery pack and backlit information displays, Toyota said.

The A-BAT, with room for four passengers, was designed for active people looking for a flexible vehicle, Toyota designers said, reports The Detroit Free Press.

"This truck is as comfortable for long commutes as it is for road trips," Kevin Hunter, president of Calty Design Research, said in a statement. "It can accommodate outdoor toys and home improvement supplies."

[olebd]

Honda has aleady bombed with a pickup like this one. How about a Tundra diesel/diesel-hybrid? Now that would be groundbreaking.

[mcv57]

When is Toyota going to sell a flex fuel vehicle in the US?

Posted by bill1fj at 06:17 PM : Dec 28, 2007

When our corrupt governments and oil mongos are shot and hanged.

[jarheadcwo3]

I bought a Prius in November of 2007. There is an aftermarket conversion that allows the Prius battery system to be recharged overnight at home.

The economy on the Prius has been great. First 600+ miles, all in town, have used 12.1 gallons of gas.

I hope Toyota can market a pickup that will be cheaper to run than the Tacoma I also own.

Charles H.
USMC (ret)

[glidescube]

It not a real P-up it''s a crossover.

[netscaper113]

A better idea for the automakers would be a flex fuel hybrid vehicle.. that runs on ethanol, gas, and/or electricity.

[cadmantwo]

Funny, but I do not see "plug-in" anywhere in this article. I would love to have a hybrid, However, I''m not buying one until I can plug it in too. I work with a group of people that seldom drive over 25 miles a day except on weekends. That means that 5 days a week (sometimes 6) we could get by without gasoline at all, if we only could plug it in over night. When are Toyota and the rest going to wake up and smell the coffee?

[jowand]

It''s a DUD for anyone wanting a P Up for serious work, just another toy like the Caddy P Up.

[bill1fj]

When is Toyota going to sell a flex fuel vehicle in the US?

[toolmangler-2009]

Posted by incog-nito at 03:44 PM : Dec 28, 2007


True! there are those that might like the truck, I hope that Toyota will build one along that line that I would like, thats all I am saying.

[fstop100]

Looks like it was beat with an ugly stick!

[prairiefox1]

IT DOES TEST YOUR GAG REFLEX, DOESN''T IT?

[prairiefox1]

And what is the milage of this? Must be a secret until you buy it and get a great disappointment !

[incog-nito]

ToolMangler: There are different types and sizes of "trucks" to suit people''s needs. From your post this one is obviously not for you, but may be for people who don''t need a heavy-duty truck but occasionally needs to haul some stuff they get from the store, like small furniture, etc. Some people don''t consider the Honda Ridgeline a truck either, but it''s been selling very well.

[yohnvilson]

Great, so they want to compete for a piece of that wonderful Subaru Baja market, so they''re building another truck that combines a cramped passenger cabin with lousy cargo capacity. A "pickup" that can''t carry even one sheet of plywood? Gee I hope it handles badly too.

[toolmangler-2009]

This concept truck reflects what most people actually use their trucks for: To carry people and only occasionally haul some cargo.
Posted by incog-nito at 11:49 AM : Dec 28, 2007



If I can''t get my riding mower or Dirt bike in it, I don''t want it.


I use my truck for ''truckin'', it wouldn''t hurt to have a "Green" engine in it since I don''t race with it.

[hungry1968]

Sure is ugly!!!!

[one_american]

More of a "trick" than a truck.

It''s like the singing dog; it''s not that the dog sings well, it''s the fact that it sings at all that''s remarkable...

[rlw48]

The following is from a Toyota Trundra link:

It%u2019s simple: You want to know whether Tundra has the guts%u2014the size, strength, stamina and sheer capability%u2014to do the work you need done.

My question is---can the A-BAT tow my 3,000 pound boat? If the answer is not ''yes''---NO DEAL!

[incog-nito]

ToolMangler: Toyota already has workhorse trucks like the Tundra. Like SUVs, most people hardly use their trucks for hauling stuff or going off-road anyway. This concept truck reflects what most people actually use their trucks for: To carry people and only occasionally haul some cargo.

[hwy71so]

Does it come in 4WD and how many deer will it hold.

Just hold my coffee and watch this... lol