Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Trucks/Pickups, Videos, Toyota
VIDEO: Ins and Outs of the Toyota A-BAT Concept hybrid pickup
by John Neff on Dec 27th 2007 at 11:57PM 
Mike Levine from Pickuptruck.com first tipped us off that the Scion brand might be considering a pickup for its youth-targeted lineup. In the video above, Levine explains why the A-BAT hybrid pickup concept ended up being a Toyota truck rather than the Scion we were expecting, as well as going over every feature and design detail of what we've come to call the "Toyota Ridgeline".
From your comments, we gather that the A-BAT's design is not what you would call... attractive. As one commenter put it, "(It's) like a Ridgeline, but uglier with bigger blind spots." Touché sir. Nevertheless, we'd welcome a truly small and modern pickup back into the market, just not this one. We'll defer to another commenter who said what was exactly on our minds: "Just bring back the small pick-up and with a strong diesel and 6-speed. It'll get 40+mpg." If wishing made it so.
[Source: Pickuptruck.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Johnny 1:04AM (12/28/2007)
If they slimmed it down it would help...a lot.
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seoultrain 1:22AM (12/28/2007)
lol, the first time I saw it, I thought it looked like it was holding its breath and was about to explode any second. Would definitely look the part in a bold red.
Ethan 2:26AM (12/28/2007)
Aspect ratio in the video is way off... look at the pics.
Blake 1:40AM (12/28/2007)
Too bad it looks just like the Dodge Rampage concept from a few years back, albeit a lot uglier.
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Tyler Mayes 2:03AM (12/28/2007)
Although it may be a bit too chunky for my style, I kind of like it.
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Matt 3:48AM (12/28/2007)
as Ethan said, the aspect ratio of the video is wrong.
look at the pics.
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Mike I 4:18AM (12/28/2007)
It's hard to like since it's so... Different...
But for some reason I like it.
Kind of like a Prius Warthog.
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sw 8:17AM (12/28/2007)
Does anyone else see a hint of tribeca in the pics?
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cowboy bob 8:17AM (12/28/2007)
Different for sure. The only problem I have with these things,(small) is calling them "trucks", or "pick-ups". They are not trucks. My GMC 3500 4X4 is a truck. It's like calling those cute little lawn mowers "Lawn Tractors". They are not tractors. A 3020 John Deer is a tractor. I can't imagine just what this "truck" might do. Plow snow? Pull a camper? Haul lumber? Pull a haywagon? Bring home the christmas tree? More likely a Civic with an open trunk. This has no real purpose other than to get some kid onto campus, or a place to throw the clubs on the way to the links. Just don't call it a truck.
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mikomi 8:27AM (12/28/2007)
I actually like it. The seats could use some plushing/different color scheme, and the front fascia needs a do over. And the extending table/platform in the back is pointless. I wouldn't be ashamed of driving one of these.
"Small" pickups still exist. Well, it's not exactly small, but my 2005 Hilux (current gen.) pickup gets +30mpg on a 2.5L turbo diesel.
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Chris 9:05AM (12/28/2007)
Unless Toyota changed their logo to a circle, the aspect ratio is completely off. Who uploads a video and doesn't check for this? Dolts.
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ello 9:11AM (12/28/2007)
Oh, for a second there I thought it was a 2004 Mitsubishi pickup truck concept: http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/stories/mitsuconcept/page1.html
I just don't understand how one of the largest car manufacturers in the world can't come up with original designs and blatantly copy everything that moves.
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justin 9:22AM (12/28/2007)
I've been proposing to the automakers to put in a small diesel and I will immediately buy one. Forget this vehicle. Release that Jeep concept utilitarian truck,,,w/diesel option.
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wally 10:31AM (12/28/2007)
Looks like Dodge Rampage!!!
http://www.allpar.com/cars/concepts/dodge/rampage.html
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Jim 11:05AM (12/28/2007)
Typical awful toyota styling, but otherwise it's exactly what I'm looking for. I just hope my p.o.s. Ranger lasts until it enters production.
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Travis Rassat 12:08PM (12/28/2007)
I'm pretty amazed at the response the A-BAT is getting so far - good or bad. I think that is exactly what Toyota wants.
I agree that coming up with original designs is considerably more exciting than this, but I also think that the key to success with any design is executing it well. While Toyota is not breaking any new ground with the overall concept of this, they are taking what could be perceived as a good, marketable concept and executing it so it will sell.
I think I fit the target market for this vehicle - the do-it-yourselfer suburbanite weekend warrior who wants to be able to haul a few sheets of plywood on occassion, but spends most of his time driving it to and from work. Getting good mileage is more important to me than, say, being able to tow a 7,000 pound trailer. I am fascinated by hybrid technology, and while it's not the best technology out there, I think it's a step in the right direction. I also like being able to park my vehicles in my garage - my garage is not really big enough for an Avalanche, for instance. I think this vehicle can cover the needs of a lot of people like me, so I personally think Toyota's got a good concept here.
I've seen a lot of comparisons to the Ridgeline, Avalanche, and the Mitsu and Dodge concepts. I would even go so far as to compare this to the Subaru Brat, the El Camino, or Ford Ranchero. They are all different executions of a similar theme. The big question is will Toyota's execution of this theme be right for the current market and the market for the next 10 years? With rising fuel costs, new CAFE standards, and the lifestyle of many suburbanites, I think they've got a potential hit here.
As for the looks, that's obviously a subjective matter. Cars are an expression of the person who owns them. I think people like cars that are distinct and unique - even if it means ugly to others. If you don't have the skill/means to build your own hot rod in your own unique vision, you have to resort to something off the shelf. Some of the most prominent vehicles on the road - Hummer, Prius, Land Rovers, etc. - are loved by some as much as they are hated by others, but they are always identifiable. So, polarizing style and the responses generated by the design could actually work in Toyota's favor. Toyota seems to get dinged for having bland styling, so perhaps this is a reaction to that. In my opinion, I normally like Toyota's sense of style (I think of it as being kind of subtle, and I like that) and I like the way this looks. If Toyota put this on dealer lots tomorrow, I would buy it (assuming it fits my budget).
Of course, that's just my opinion!
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Steven T. 2:15PM (12/28/2007)
Travis, that was a thoughtful analysis. All I would add is that concepts are generally designed to be over the top. A production version of this vehicle would obviously be toned down, hopefully in ways that address some of the concerns expressed in these threads (e.g., poor visibility).
I think this is a promising direction for trucks that cater to suburbanites. However, I hope Toyota will consider downsizing the A-BAT, e.g., the 74 inch width suggests a curb weight more akin to a mid-sized than a true compact pickup.
Speddy 12:56PM (12/28/2007)
I wish to take "a bat" at the designer. Swing a bat around. I just broke a bat over his head!
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tikirob 12:57PM (12/28/2007)
What would be nice if this spurred on the small compact truck market again...I am open to it.
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Detroit Expatriate 2:37PM (12/28/2007)
Rip off / Love Child of the Rampage & Ridgeline. However the mixing of the DNA resulted in this odd looking mutant. Rampage is obviously the best looking of these UniBody FWD pickup concepts.
Don't ridicule it too much, kids. This is the future of pickup trucks in the US. The clowns in Congress signed the death warrant of the F150, Silverado, Sierra and Ram by mandating a virtually impossible 35 mpg for all vehicles regardless of product purpose or the purchasing preferences of consumers in the market. they say... "Death to the RWD BOF truck, long live the fugly-FWD minivan spawned manbearpig."
...sigh... all of which could have been prevented by legislators with the balls to pass a large gas tax. LET THE MARKET WORK!!!
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