AutoblogGreen

I've been waiting for a hybrid pickup, but I have mixed feelings about the Abat concept. Short beds are not usually practical, but in this case it can be reconfigured to hold 8' long panels. I don't like the "jacked up" look, that raises the center of gravity too much, adversely affects handling, and makes it more prone to rollovers.

Oh, well, there are bound to be changes between the concept and production. Let's hope they lower the ride and improve the looks.

Reply

Chris M is very diplomatic yet his reaction is clearly negative.

My gut feelings are that this visual rendition looks wrong in so many ways that no North American truck user would buy it.

Toyota, like any production company produces a mixture of mostly good and some not so good products.

This looks like a Toyota error. = TG

Reply

Sounds so familiar to how Honda's Hybrid Insight (which I have been driving for almost 8 years) works...

-Raj

Reply

I don't think the styling is a far cry from the Honda Ridgeline, which has done pretty well in the US. In fact, I see a lot of Ridgeline inspired ideas in this concept. Add the green drive train to that, and I think you have a vehicle that will appeal not just to pickup drivers, but SUV moms and the like.

Reply

Chris M- the aspect ratio in this video is way out of whack. If this at all interests you, check out the gallery
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/detroit-2008-toyota-a-bat-concept/547270/
As the nice announcer man sais, the vehicle is a "pusher" or push car, meaning it is not at all drivable. It does look (from the size of it) to be loosely based on the RAV4, a reasonably good platform as is. Whether with a Synergy Drive or diesel power, this might be nice compromise.

Reply

Ok folks come into the light - of the 21st century. I like the look, it's different and that is what a lot of us "truck guys" want. If it can do the job it sounds promising.

Why dive what every body else does.

Reply

I have a 4 Toyotas, including a T100 and Tundra that I use for work. I'm not buying another truck until I can get 25+ mpg, tow 3500+ lbs, and have 4 seats. It is easily done. Just take the highlander hybrid and make it a truck. The A-Bat may work, but I think it will be too small for practical use, and not meet the towing requirements because it will be a 4 cylinder. I will certainly give it a close look and seriously consider it when it comes out. I don't mind the radical styling, but is it practical as a truck? I can see a lot of scratches and dings around the tail lights and roofline/c-pillar when loading and strapping 2 motorcycles side by side in the back(if they will fit side by side). I had hoped for a Tundra or Tacoma hybrid, but they only received bigger motors, not more fuel efficient ones. Common Toyota, give me a practical, fuel efficient, mid-sized truck that isn't priced like a Lexus! You have a tendancy to only put the hybrids on your most expensive trim levels, thus making it $7k more, which kind of defeats the purpose of saving money on gas when you are just spending it on options you don't need like leather seats, auto dimming mirrors..... Put it on the LE versions, not just the XLE.

Reply