New York 2009: Counter Balance - the batmobile of yellow, expandable trucks
by Sebastian Blanco on Apr 9th 2009 at 11:58AM 
Counter Balance – Click above for high-res image gallery
Sometimes the words fail us. Here in the press room at the New York Auto Show, though, people had all sorts of things to say about the Counter Balance, um, truck ... thing ... concept ... vehicle. The best of the bunch: "That's what happened when a Carbon Motors police car had a night of illicit sex with the Batmobile." However you want to describe it, the Counter Balance demands your attention. So, now that we're all looking... what is this thing, exactly?
The designer, who runs Barkan Designs, says the Counter Balance is a compact pickup truck (seriously). Where most engineers would put a pickup's engine (i.e., in front), the Counter Balance has empty space and there is an five-foot bed in back (it can extend an additional two feet, too). The engine sits low in the middle of the vehicle, which necessitates that the rear seats be bumped stadium style, which explains the awkward secondary window hump.
According to the company's press literature, the Counter Balance is also "light, efficient and environmentally friendly," mostly because you could theoretically burn biofuels or CNG to move down the road and because, as the designer says, the vehicle "keeps its dimensions as compact as possible." Compact dimensions apparently don't apply to height in Judge Dreddland, however...
Gallery: New York 2009: Counter Balance
[Source: Barkan Design]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
JDMlover 12:02PM (4/09/2009)
Theres no god......
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Snark 1:25PM (4/09/2009)
The styling sucks, but the idea of a mid-engine truck is vaguely interesting. A little flat-four Subaru motor down there would work even better, though.
Assass1n 12:03PM (4/09/2009)
If Homer designed a truck...
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tommy 12:08PM (4/09/2009)
Homer? What about Spongebob? Does it go in the water?
fixitfixitstop 12:03PM (4/09/2009)
Well, at least it has heated rear seats.
I think that's the only kind words I have.
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Sofa King Fast! 12:04PM (4/09/2009)
I think I speak for all of us when I say "WTF"
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Sozo 12:05PM (4/09/2009)
What the hell is it??
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Assass1n 12:06PM (4/09/2009)
The question isn't what so much as it is why???
Sean Flanagan 12:59PM (4/09/2009)
It's a speedboat with headlights, taillights, and wheels that can't float. Painted yellow.
mcampasini 12:18PM (4/09/2009)
with all these ugly concept vehicles lately the future looks pretty bad as far as cars go:(
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RicoChet 12:07PM (4/09/2009)
This is an abomination!
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John P. 12:10PM (4/09/2009)
Why do I feel like my time machine just kicked me out into 1978 Cold War Siberia?
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The Luigiian 12:10PM (4/09/2009)
Yesterday I remarked that the Scion iQ concept was what happened when you took an A-BAT and make it uglier. I would like to apologize for this statement. This vehicle is what happens when you take an A-BAT and make it uglier. It makes the Scion concept's wheel arches look like they were dreamt up by Harley Earl.
That said, the truck could be attractive, if not for the obnoxious yellow color, yellow grille, and windows. And the glass-house rear passenger compartment.
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FOREX 1:41PM (4/09/2009)
"glass house"... = Off Road Pope-mobile!
Surely his popeship will be putting in an order soon.
chconline 12:10PM (4/09/2009)
Looks almost as cool as the BMW X6.
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Taglane 12:15PM (4/09/2009)
I already saw the A-BAT.
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Spike 12:24PM (4/09/2009)
I would like to buy a small economical trucklet but I would have to put a bag over my head to drive this one.
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Alex Nunez 12:24PM (4/09/2009)
If Sea Ray built trucks, they would look like this.
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hamyblam 12:26PM (4/09/2009)
I feel as if my eyes have been raped...
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MajorGeek 12:27PM (4/09/2009)
Does not demand my attention. Look away.
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