KEY POINTS:
Toyota of America is aiming to bring green credentials back to the pick-up market with a compact carryall concept called A-BAT. The A-BAT concept was developed by the TMS' advanced product strategy group and Calty, Toyota's North American-based research and design centre.
The design brief was to create a new genre of compact vehicle with good fuel economy, advanced functionality, manoeuvrability, unique styling in its segment and a durable package suitable for an active lifestyle. The A-BAT rides on a unibody platform for car-like handling. In addition, its lightweight package, coupled with Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive technology, is designed to deliver excellent fuel economy. Translucent solar panels in the top surface of the instrument panel capture sunlight and convert it into energy.
The A-BAT features a four-foot bed, but has more flexibility than the standard pick-up truck. A translucent roof panel slides open to allow for tall cargo in the cab. When the pass-through midgate is folded down into the cab, the bed lengthens by two extra feet.
