Toyota A-BAT Hybrid Truck

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A-BAT Side View

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Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck - Side View. © Toyota Motor Co.

Toyota Introduces a Hybrid Concept Truck

Toyota's A-BAT hybrid concept pickup truck was introduced at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The compact pickup has an expandable cargo area and is powered by the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive System -- the same system used in the Prius.

The A-BAT is targeted at commuters who are looking for a compact vehicle that gets good gas mileage but can be used for occasional hauling tasks.

One of the reasons manufacturers build concepts is to get public reaction to a design. Will the A-BAT go from concept to production? Only time will tell, but there seems to be a growing interest in this type of truck.

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You can tell that the CALTY design team incorporated some of the body lines from the current Prius when they designed the A-BAT, and take a look at the front end of the truck -- in this picture it resembles the Tundra.

The wide rear C-pillar that flows into the truck's bed looks like it might create a pretty large blind spot.

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A-BAT Front View

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Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck - Front View. © Toyota Motor Co.

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The truck's projector headlights, short front overhang and laid back windshield make the A-BAT look like it has a chopped top.

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A-BAT Rear View

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Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck - Rear View. © Toyota Motor Co.

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A-BAT Storage Under Tailgate

Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck Tailgate Storage
A-BAT Storage Under Bed. © Toyota

The A-BAT has a storage drawer that pulls out below the truck's tailgate.

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A-BAT Wheel

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Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck - Wheel. © Toyota Motor Co.

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The A-BAT runs on 19" alloy wheels.

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A-BAT Concept Truck Bed

Toyota A-BAT Hybrid Concept Truck's Bed
Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck - Composite Bed. © Toyota

The A-BAT's bed is four feet long and four feet wide. This photo shows the truck's midgate closed to seal off the passenger compartment. The red cross in the lowered tailgate holds a first aid kit, and just above it a built-in flashlight.

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A-BAT Truck with Midgate Down

Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck Midgate
Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck - Midgate Down. © Toyota

Folding down the A-BAT's midgate and tailgate stretches the truck's bed to eight feet, making it capable of hauling an 8 foot board or sheet of plywood. The rear roof section slides forward to create additional height.

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A-BAT Bed - Side Storage

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Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck - Bed Side Storage. © Toyota Motor Co.

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You'll see lockable storage drawers in the A-BAT's bed walls, an AC power outlet, and tie downs (some sliding) along the bed sides and and floor.

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A-BAT Roof Slid Forward to Haul Tall Object

Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck's Roofline
A-BAT Hybrid Concept - Top Slid Open to Haul Tall Cargo. © Toyota

The A-BAT's roof slides forward to haul tall cargo.

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A-BAT Interior View

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Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck - Interior View. © Toyota Motor Co.

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Doors that open in opposite directions eliminate the door post, which makes entry and exit a whole lot easier.

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A-BAT Instrument Cluster

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Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck - Instrumentation. © Toyota Motor Co.

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Here's a shot of the driver's side instrumentation, but the A-BAT has a similar screen on the passenger side that shows what's going on with the truck's heating, A/C and audio.

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A-BAT Concept Truck's Dash

Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck's Dash
Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck - Dash. © Toyota

This sketch of the A-BAT's dash illustrates the truck's solar panels (on the top surface of the dash). The panels charge a built-in power supply that runs the navigation and the 12 Volt power outlets, along with a few other accessories.

The navigation screen visible in the center of the sketch retracts into the dash.

13
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A-BAT Front Row Seating

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Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck - Front Row Seating. © Toyota Motor Co.

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Toyota create a futuristic look inside of the A-BAT hybrid truck by combining aluminum carbon fiber and bright colors. The open seat structure was inspired by the look of high-end mountain bikes.

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A-Bat Second Row Seating

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Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck - Second Row Seating. © Toyota Motor Co.

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The A-BAT's rear seating isn't built for comfort, but will haul passengers when necessary. When you lower the midgate, the seat back flips down and the seat bottoms retract underneath the cargo floor.

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A-BAT Steering Wheel

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Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck - Steering Wheel. © Toyota Motor Co.

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A-BAT Front Door - Interior Panel

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Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck - Front Door, Interior Panel. © Toyota Motor Co.

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A-BAT Interior Rear Door Panel

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Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck - Interior Door. © Toyota Motor Co.

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The rear-opening back doors each have a large grab handle, an audio speaker and an armrest with a storage pocket underneath.

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A-BAT Rear Quarter

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Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck - Rear Quarter. © Toyota

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A-BAT Concept, Headlight

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Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck Toyota A-BAT Concept Truck - Headlight. © Toyota

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