A-BAT | Toyota’s Conceptual Hybrid Pickup

August 7th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under
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Preview of Toyota’s Hybrid Truck

At the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Toyota unveiled a concept car that took the idea of a hybrid truck to a new level. The A-BAT, which stands for “Advanced Breakthrough Aero Truck”, is a sleek four-passenger truck built on top of a car platform and uses Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive – the auto maker’s gas/electric hybrid model.

The A-BAT takes a design cue from Toyota’s best-selling hybrid, the Prius, and has an aerodynamic trapezoid shape to increase fuel efficiency. Even though it is an extended cab truck, the A-BAT is a full 27 inches shorter than Toyota’s current standard-fuel truck, the Tacoma. Toyota’s goal was a hybrid truck that maximized fuel efficiency, stayed true to a pick-up driver’s hauling needs, and at the same time provided the versatility that many drivers look for in a vehicle.

A press release from Toyota announcing this concept truck stated:
The A-BAT concept was developed by the TMS Advanced Product Strategy group and Calty, Toyota’s North American-based, research and design center located in Newport Beach, Calif. Together, they identified a buyer group whose unique combination of lifestyle activities and vehicle needs required a vehicle that as of now is not available in the market place. The team created a new genre of compact vehicle with good fuel economy, advanced functionality, maneuverability, unique styling within its segment, and a durable package suitable for an active lifestyle. Advanced styling was also key in making the A-BAT appropriate for today’s market.

The concept car was loaded with features, such as a navigation system, Wi-Fi, and solar panels on the dashboard to help power these gadgets and also recharge the car’s battery. Drivers can expect a smoother ride than most trucks thanks to the compact, car-like design. The truck’s 4-foot cargo bed can be extended to double its length when the tailgate and rear wall of the bed are folded back and tall objects can ride in the cab thanks to a retractable translucent roof panel.

The sporty and sleek look of the A-BAT continues inside with vibrant colors and futuristic design (see photo links below).

So, what do you think so far? Would you buy one? One of the key details missing in all our research on this one was “How many miles per gallon will it get?” Speculation is all over the board, but based on its size and engine, our thought might be around 35 mpg. Another question on many people’s minds is the approximate A-BAT price. Thus far, we’ve heard nothing and found no estimates from any of the industry experts. We’re assuming it would cost a bit more than the 2009 / 2010 Prius, so maybe somewhere around $30,000 to start. What is your guess?

So, when might the A-BAT be available? With the exception of Toyota asking for some feedback on the ABAT in March of 2008, there really hasn’t been any news since the Detroit Auto Show. You can bet when we learn more, it will be posted here!

Here are some exterior A-BAT Pictures from MotorTrend.
Here are the interior A-BAT Photos, also on MotorTrend.
The official ABAT page from Toyota.com.
Watch an A-BAT Video on Autobloggreen.

There Are 14 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by Sue Cook on 11 September 2008:

    Being a single woman, home owner, I have driven trucks for 20 years. In today’s world I need the flexibility of a truck & the fuel efficiency of a small car. Not to mention it’s good looks & forward thinking features. WHERE & WHEN CAN I GET MINE …………..
    Thanks
    Sue

  2. Comment by Will on 19 September 2008:

    I love Toyota cars/trucks because they are reliable vehicles. But the A-Bat hybrid truck looks so ugly, I don’t know if its worth buying it. If they can redesign it to look like the Hummer then I be the first one in line to purchase one

  3. Comment by Andrew on 15 October 2008:

    I have a small toyota truck now, and they’re all I want to drive. I’m watching to see when they put a hybrid truck out. I’ll be looking to buy something new in about three or four years, so hopefully they’ll have something then.

  4. Comment by ALEX on 21 October 2008:

    I own an 02 Tacoma and love it, is my 2nd toyota truck. I am a true Toyota owner, but when they decided to make the Tacoma mid-size truck I was really disappointed. Along comes this A-BAT truck, it is everything I’ve always wanted in a truck… and then some. Some guy said it looks ugly, I guess beauty is… you know the rest. If or when Toyota starts production and sales of this truck, I’ll be in line to get me one!

  5. Comment by Paul on 8 November 2008:

    This is what we have been waiting for…I need one.

  6. Comment by Jason on 9 December 2008:

    Get rid of the little slope back from the roof to the bed and it’ll be better. The Avalanche didn’t look good with that either and you don’t see to many of those on the road. All and all looks pretty good though, I’d drive it.

  7. Comment by Brian on 10 December 2008:

    Please bring this to market. I will wait in line to get one…

  8. Comment by Albert on 17 December 2008:

    I love this concept hybrid car/pickup style vehicle. Please make it a plug-in and able to get 40mpg so I can get WA Sales Tax Exemption. Oh and make sure you put a heavy duty Yakima track rack on the roof with at least 4′ bar spread. This is key to quick removal/install of Yakima rack bars for max fuel efficiency and convenience. I installed these on my Toyota MAtrix and they work great. Should come equipped with a solid working rack system planned from beginning, installed at factory. Car makers just don’t seem to get it. No wimpy disfunctional designer racks please!

  9. Comment by Wade on 23 December 2008:

    I am a married homeowner with 2 children and a 24 mile one-way commute to work each day. I need a vehicle that seats two adults and two kids, is comfortable for the highway commute, gets great gas mileage, and can haul bicycles, lawnmowers, and furniture when necessary. No such vehicle exists. The Ridgeline is close, but something 3/4 the Ridgeline’s size would be perfect.

    I would buy the A-BAT today if I could get one for less than $18,000.

  10. Comment by Michael T. Grubb on 2 January 2009:

    I love my Toyota Tundra, but can’t afford the poor mileage (13-14/city). I have been waiting for a high mileage truck and love the A-BAT concept. Get rid of the slope back design from the roof to the bed, and make it look more like the Tacoma, and it will be a top seller. When will the A-BAT be on the market, as my lease runs out in June/1010?

  11. Comment by Claudine C. Safar on 13 January 2009:

    I own an Old nissan frontier and would LOVE a new hybrid. However, the reasons I have a truck are the reasons I do not drive a car. I want the bed space and a covered cap (to keep my dog and gear dry and locked) The front and the back need to be separate! This merges the two together and leaves a bed that isn’t long enough to fit anything. The back is not covered to any height, so it makes the bed of little practical use. A hybrid truck should be just that, a truck. Please make a small hybrid truck soon.

  12. Comment by motortrendtruckofyearF150 on 5 February 2009:

    Too Bad a Ford sport trac can tow more than this chevy 1500 and get the same milage. Oh and cost about half the money. Chevy really nailed this one didnt they??? think not

  13. Comment by The Luigiian on 8 February 2009:

    Do you really think it’ll sell for $30K base? That’s… really expensive for something like this. I’ll bet a Dodge Ram Hemi Hybrid, after rebates, will wind up at about that price by the time it hits the market, especially considering how aggressive they are with incentives right now.

    The Prius stickers for $22K or thereabouts, currently, and it’s been said the new Prius will only cost a bit more, perhaps $24K at the absolute highest. I really couldn’t see a base hybrid A-BAT selling for much more than $26K. If it did, I question whether Toyota could shift the things off the lot, especially if they don’t fix the ugly styling up front and the slit side windows.

  14. Comment by Michael Dysart on 4 August 2009:

    Very cool. I want one now! Design and functionality exceptional.

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