Toyota considers building A-BAT truck, cancels small diesel
Click above for more high-res images of the Toyota A-BAT Concept
Despite the fact that its full-sized truck competitors from Ford, General Motors and Dodge will all offer new small-displacement diesel engines within the next year or so, Toyota has reportedly canceled plans for a similar powertrain for its Tundra. Instead of dumping money into the stalled full-size market, the automaker has reportedly contacted key suppliers for quotes on systems for its radical A-BAT concept truck from the Detroit Auto Show. Powertrain choices for the trucklet would include a traditional four-cylinder option along with a hybrid drivetrain, possibly sourced from the Camry hybrid. If it went into production, the A-BAT would join the lonely Ford Ranger in the small pickup market and would use a uni-body platform in lieu of a full frame, which is standard fare on most other trucks. Then again, it may never be given the green-light for production at all.
Gallery: Detroit 2008: Toyota A-BAT Concept
[Sources: PickupTrucks.com, Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Dasupersprint 9:11AM (9/22/2008)
Still looks like a Ridgeline.
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Torrent 9:19AM (9/22/2008)
My vote goes for Aztek Pickup.
Kotse 3:58PM (12/19/2008)
"If it went into production, the A-BAT would join the lonely Ford Ranger in the small pickup market..."
From the lowly "Taco"...to the radical "A-BAT"!?
tekman94 9:22AM (9/22/2008)
We need a foreign vehicle company to make a truck to compete with the F-2/350 and the Sierra/Silverado 2/3500 along with the Ram 2/3500.
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Shipey 9:41AM (9/22/2008)
Why?
Of all the vehicles coming out of the U.S., those are some of our best. They're super tough, high quality, and very very good at what they do.
There's nothing to gain by going import except the false sense of righteousness that comes with a T or H badge.
tekman94 3:05PM (9/22/2008)
Because I would love to have a Tundra that was a diesel. That's why.
G-Meister 10:16PM (9/22/2008)
Sorry- HD Tundra is completely off the table at this point. The diesel still might happen. Toyota came out last year with a brand new twin-turbo V8 diesel for the Land Cruiser. It would work awesome in the Tundra. It will need a Urea injection system over what it has in Europe now, and pricing would be touchy. IMHO, what the Tundra needs is better interior fabrics (they just look CHEAP) and a much tougher tailgate.
mr.ed 10:25AM (9/22/2008)
Even weirder than the late, unlamented Isuzu VehiCross, if you can even imagine that.
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TJ 10:41AM (9/22/2008)
Hey, now... I LOVE the VehiCross! I would love to own one!
Artie 6:33AM (9/24/2008)
Can't imagine the A-Bato going into production.It's far too exciting for Toyota's dull-as-can-be top brass.
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TJ 9:53AM (9/22/2008)
So, rather than attempt to compete, they focus elsewhere.
The A-BAT is nothing but a BLATANT ripoff of the Rampage concept without the innovative features.
.
http://blogs.edmunds.com/.eea1937/cmd.233/enclosure..eea1938
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The Luigiian 2:27PM (9/22/2008)
Teej, the Rampage was a V-8 monster. The A-BAT is a hybridized compact truck.
Just because it looks like a Rampage doesn't mean it'll be anything like a Rampage.
Avinash machado 10:06AM (9/22/2008)
Instead of A-BAT they should call it A-ZTEC.
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AngeloD 10:18AM (9/22/2008)
What a hideous design. All the blindspots of the FJ Crusier mixed in with every bit of the lack of utility and impracticality of the Ridgeline.
Toyota has lost their way design wise.
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stas peterson 5:20PM (9/27/2008)
TJ,
I have felt that way ever since the ABAT appeared at the auto shows. It is a poor imitation of the earlier Dodge Rampage concept.
I agree it has none of the innovative ideas. Chrysler has to do a reprise of the Dokota in the next several years, and I hope many of the innovative Rampage concepts will appear in it.
I particualrly liked the pamp extention in the tailgate and the
covered 4x8 plywood sliding area.
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jim 10:21AM (9/22/2008)
I would welcome a Ranger, 90's sized Tacoma/Frontier in Toyota's line up, but make it a real pickup and not an SUV with the roof hacked off like the Ridgeline. And Toyota, while you're at it make a small 4cyl diesel available.
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VP 10:21AM (9/22/2008)
Is that A-BAT really that much smaller than the Tundra? To me eye, it looks just as big as a full size pick up truck.
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G-Meister 10:20PM (9/22/2008)
Its really about the size of the Rav4, maybe a little longer. Definitely a small truck though.
Rman91Bird 8:16PM (9/22/2008)
nice ridgeline!
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mehugtree 10:33AM (9/22/2008)
I think the market is primed for a small pickup. Yeah this thing is funky, but it'll fill a need for a lot of people who don't need to haul a lot of stuff, just some.
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