Toyota returns to its compact pickup truck roots and takes them to a new level with the A-BAT concept vehicle, recently unveiled at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The environmentally advanced A-BAT provides modern versatility, roominess and style in a compact pickup architecture. It is geared for a buyer group whose unique combination of lifestyle activities and transportation needs required a vehicle not presently available.

"Driving from beyond the suburbs to the city is a way of life for many people," said Kevin Hunter, president, Calty Design Research, Inc. "We've taken Toyota's truck heritage to a different level by envisioning a vehicle capable of manoeuvring the suburbs as well as dirt roads. This compact truck is as comfortable for long commutes as it is for road trips. It can accommodate outdoor toys and home improvement supplies. Plus, customers benefit from the hybrid powertrain's low emissions and fuel economy."

Developed by the Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) Advanced Product Strategy group and Calty, Toyota's research and design centre in Newport Beach, CA, the A-BAT is a new genre of compact vehicle with good fuel economy, advanced functionality, manoeuvrability, unique styling within its segment, and a durable package suitable for an active lifestyle.

The A-BAT concept rides on a unibody platform for car-like handling when navigating city streets and crowded parking lots, and smooth ride quality for highway trips and the everyday commute. In addition, its lightweight package coupled with Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive® technology is designed to deliver excellent fuel economy. Translucent solar panels in the top surface of the instrument panel capture sunlight and convert it into energy, showcasing the vehicle's "green" character.

Using Toyota's "Vibrant Clarity" philosophy, the A-BAT's designers were able to create an aerodynamic exterior with a unique look that uses a combination of the large body surfaces, intersecting tight surface planes, crisp lines and the trapezoidal profile.

"We studied the 'trapezoid' silhouette from the side profile of the Toyota Prius and applied it to create an entirely new truck image," said Creative Designer Matt Sperling. "The image of a NATO all-terrain military truck inspired us to keep the occupants as far forward as possible to maximize rear bed capacity in this compact package."

The A-BAT features a four-foot bed, but has more flexibility than the standard pickup truck. A translucent roof panel slides open to allow for tall cargo in the cab. When the pass-through midgate is folded down into the cab the bed lengthens an additional two feet. An open tailgate provides an additional two feet of bed length.

The bed has features perfect for work and play. These include tailgate lighting for illuminating the load, a first aid kit and flashlight integrated into the tailgate, sliding tie downs, and an AC power outlet. Items such as sports and leisure equipment can be stored in the lockable drawers in the bed walls. Additional storage is accessible through sliding doors conveniently placed in and outside of the truck bed. For even more storage capacity the A-BAT comes with a large sliding drawer beneath the bed, accessible without opening the tailgate.

The A-BAT's rugged and spirited exterior has been matched to a bright and vibrant interior with an urban-rugged feel—with the inspiration coming from high-end mountain bike frames. This included using lightweight construction materials, such as carbon fibre and aluminium, for the instrument panel, console and seats for increased structural rigidity while reducing mass.

The sculptured alloy centre console runs between the two front seats and houses a portable power pack. The battery pack offers both AC and DC for a wide variety of applications including powering tools, electrical gear while camping, a laptop computer, and small appliances, or assisting a vehicle jump start.

The four-passenger A-BAT offers numerous seating and storage configurations. In addition to the rear seats folding down with the midgate to extend the cargo bed length, the rear seat cushions can retract beneath the cargo bed to increase rear cab cargo flexibility. A removable storage tray beneath the rear seat offers tie downs and organizing compartments to secure loose cargo.

The A-BAT has a retractable portable navigation unit with a seven-inch diagonal screen and Wi-Fi internet. Other advanced features include a port for portable device assistant synchronization and a hard drive for digital music.

"This concept is the next evolution of the compact truck," said Hunter. "We were able to create a compact truck that's utilitarian, has an original profile compared to other pickup trucks, has a 'small, but tough' character and is economical to operate. The A-BAT is a fun-to-drive, practical package that reflects Toyota's environmental sustainability message."