Autoblog

Toyota considers building A-BAT truck, cancels small diesel

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Truck, Green, Toyota

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]

Toyota considers building A-BAT truck, cancels small diesel originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Detroit 2008: Toyota A-BAT Concept revealed after dark

John Neff — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 23:27:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Truck, Toyota

click above for more high-res images of the Toyota A-BAT Concept

After the first day of the 2008 Detroit Auto Show press days ended, some of us decided to take up Toyota on its invite to a reception at which we were greeted by the live reveal of the A-BAT concept hybrid pickup. Though images of the A-BAT were released some time ago and we know all about the unibody pickup's hybrid synergy drivetrain and Chevy Avalanche-like midgate, we were pleasantly surprised to find ourselves not hating the design as much as we thought we would. It's odd, for sure, but it's a concept and there's artistic license to be had there. The actual size of the A-BAT, however, is smaller than its chunky flanks and expanse of sheet metal suggest. It makes us long for the compact pickup segment to be revived with trucks that are actually, you know, compact. Like the new 2009 Dodge Ram, the A-BAT also features storage compartments in its bed rails, as well as a first-aid kit in the tailgate. Aside from the hybrid drivetrain, its green cred is further bolstered by solar panels embedded in the dash to drive the accessories. All good stuff, of course, but we just want a small pickup with one of those efficient yet torquey clean diesels everyone's talking about. Perhaps if Toyota hears our collective demand for such a vehicle, a version of the A-BAT might actually be produced.

Gallery: Detroit 2008: Toyota A-BAT Concept - Live Reveal

Gallery: Detroit 2008: Toyota A-BAT Concept

Continue reading Detroit 2008: Toyota A-BAT Concept revealed after dark

Detroit 2008: Toyota A-BAT Concept revealed after dark originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Jan 2008 23:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pics Aplenty: Toyota reveals every angle of A-BAT hybrid pickup concept

John Neff — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 17:02:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Truck, Toyota

click above image for 61 high-res pics of the Toyota A-BAT hybrid pickup

Though you've already been shown a few images of the A-BAT hybrid pickup concept, Toyota felt that perhaps you haven't seen enough, and maybe more, say 61 new images, would help you decide if you like the truck's design or not. It was clear after reading your comments when the A-BAT was first unveiled (we quote: "Like a Ridgeline, but uglier with bigger blind spots.") that the design left something to be desired for many of you. You compared it to the Honda Ridgeline, which is fair, though the A-BAT is a highly stylized concept that contain only design elements that would one day see production. So we can look past the pug nose and hectar-wide pillars for now.

These new images give us our first glimpse at how the A-BAT concept's Chevy Avalance-esque midgate works. The rear wall of the bed is attached to the back of the second-row seats, so to open the midgate one just folds the back of the second row forward. We're not sure how production feasible this would be, since the second row seats don't look to too comfortable with such little padding, but GM has proven a midgate bed expander can be a popular option that's worth offering. The interior of the A-BAT, meanwhile, is said to be inspired by the design of mountain bikes and uses a lot of carbon fiber and aluminum trim.

We expect many of you to knock the A-BAT concept's design again in the comments, but click through the gallery first to make sure that the styling doesn't offer the viewer anything of interest. We think it does.

[Source: Toyota]

Gallery: Detroit 2008: Toyota A-BAT Concept

Continue reading Pics Aplenty: Toyota reveals every angle of A-BAT hybrid pickup concept

Pics Aplenty: Toyota reveals every angle of A-BAT hybrid pickup concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jan 2008 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments