Toyota Goes "Batty" with Hybrid Pickup Concept

Toyota gets back to its compact roots with new A-BAT pickup concept

Tech enthusiasts know that the month of January is usually reserved for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and Macworld Expo. All of the latest tech gadgets and computing products are shown at both shows -- the omnipresent iPhone made its initial bow at this year's Macworld.

January, however, is also known for the biggest auto show in the world: the North American International Auto Show (aka the Detroit Auto Show). All of the world's major manufacturers debut new production automobiles as well as concepts during the Detroit Auto Show. Toyota is giving gear heads a sneak peak at one of its show attendees in the form of the A-BAT concept vehicle.

The Toyota A-BAT was developed by Toyota's Advanced Product Strategy group and Calty Design Research. In keeping with Toyota's efforts to make every one of its vehicles hybrid-equipped by the year 2020, the A-BAT naturally incorporates the Hybrid Synergy Drive with a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine.

The A-BAT is a unibody-based pickup a la the Honda Ridgeline -- Toyota's two production pickups, the Tundra and Tacoma, are body-on-frame vehicles. The vehicle rides on a 112.2-inch wheelbase which could indicate that the Highlander donated its platform for the A-BAT. The short hood and cab-forward nature of the vehicle also seem to indicate a transverse engine layout which further solidifies the FWD-based assumption.

"Driving from beyond the suburbs to the city is a way of life for many people," said Kevin Hunter, president, Calty Design Research "We've taken Toyota's truck heritage to a different level by envisioning a vehicle capable of maneuvering the suburbs as well as dirt roads. This compact truck is as comfortable for long commutes as it is for road trips. It can accommodate outdoor toys and home improvement supplies. Plus, customers benefit from the hybrid powertrain's low emissions and fuel economy."

Despite the unibody construction and compact dimensions -- the A-BAT is over two feet shorter than an extended cab Tacoma -- the vehicle can still accommodate the requisite 4' x 8' plywood sheet.

Toyota is looking for ways to increase the efficiency of its fleet and reduce emissions. The company came under fire when it released the massive 5.7 liter V8-packin' Tundra earlier this year, so a production version of the A-BAT would make a nice addition to the Toyota portfolio.

A unibody-based pickup with a hybrid powertrain would have the advantage of improving Toyota's CAFE average in the face of stricter government legislation and appeasing the truck community that has seen the U.S. compact truck market all but disappear -- only the AARP qualifying Ford Ranger still ranks as a "true" compact while the Tacoma, Colorado/Canyon, Ridgeline, Frontier, Dakota and Sport Trac all dance in mid-size territory.