A-BAT - inspired by Prius

Am I reading this right?

"Inside 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."

Is the A-BAT going to be an iPod as well? I mean, it makes sense to store your CDs on a harddrive in the car rather than having to carry them around, load them and push "play". Now that would be really cool.

I can already see one improvement. It needs some sort of cover for the bed portion like the cargo cover in the hatch area of the Prius. You need a way to cover the truck cargo bed in case of rain, for privacy, etc. I'm sure there will be aftermarket add-ons available but Toyota would be smart to develop an OEM cover (and an exhorbitant price of course) to have available for buyers. You know there's always a lag between when a car comes out and when the after market stuff is available.

(I'd personally like to see something done with those headrests. I don't like that you can't adjust them and that they're one piece with the seat.)

Yep. This could be the new El Camino.

 

But...but...the El Camino is a cult classic.

 

I'm wondering what the mpg's / drag coeficient #'s will look like on the truck. Hopefully Toyota built it's 'look' around a nice low coeficient number ... rather than slap a 'look' together, only to find out its coeficiency is on par with a parachute, like the Volt concept reports state.

 

That is Ferociously Ugly its Fugly too

I'll wait for the Porsche Cayenne hybrid

 

I have no doubt the design is built around the coefficient base the engineers provided. I had a chance to hear one of the Toyota designers at an Orange County Prius club meeting. He said that the engineers provided them with a basic shape based on a low coefficient. They had to stay within that shape when they designed the Prius. I'm sure the A-BAT was designed the same way.

I must say that front grill is definately designed to appeal to a certain kind of customer that is attracted to a certain kind of product.

 

No, we did NOT just agree on something.... did we?
(well, except I'm not waiting for a Porsche anything, that is)

 

Since the 2nd "A" in A-BAT apparently stands for aero, I believe that you are correct.

 

LOL, I like witches too

I consider myself something of a Shaman

 

Why not Porsche is a revolutionary car company

Dr Porsche designed the beetle which is the prototype for EVERY following economy car, including the Prius, It looks a little like some kind of Japanese beetle

 

The front is ugly as sin, the rest I can live with.
Getting inspiration from the Prius is nothing new, ford Focus, Mazda 3 Citroen C4 and the Prius styling is all about the window outline.
Some great ideas in there but I'd assume you will pay an arm and a leg for the full load of goodies.

 

Which is the front end and which is the back?

 

I'm seeing this new truck, not mater the shape, color or aesthetically interior or similarities with any others, as an introduction to the market of ANOTHER Hybrid vehicle, from a reputable Hybrid manufacturer, that will help to the negative consequences of global warming.
More of this "trucks" on the road, by any one, the better.
We should ask our self, what I have contribute to the G.W. cause today besides driving a Prius? If it is positive, make it aloud; if not, keep trying.

 

It's nifty, but it's not a 'real' truck. It is a good fit for weekend warriors and people who want more flexability than a Prius. It will be succussful in the Subaru Baja field.
But it won't be displacing truck sales. People buying Tundras and F150s aren't going to be convinced they can get by with a four foot bed. The hybrid Silverado is slated for '09, and the A-BAT's closest competitors will likely have diesels by the time it comes to market. Where is the hybrid 1/2 ton Toyota.

 

The Baja is dead. Subaru found no volume buyers for it.

The A-Bat could do a little better since it is "hybrid". This is for people that likes Rav4s and CR-Vs crowds that want a little bit more flexibility.

And no way diesel trucks (with large engines) are going to get close to these "cute utility truck". Have you seen the mpg? At 20mpg for them.

As for Toyota and hybrid 1/2 ton trucks, forget it. We had a GM/Toyota hybrid thread on this.... Toyota basically cannot make 1/2 ton hybrid trucks with their HSD design.

 

Assuming Ford hasn't gone under, there is a good chance the next Ranger will have a diesel option. A 4 and 6 cylinder engine is already available overseas. I know that diesel doesn't always equal fuel efficiency, but the 4cyl. gas Ranger is one of the most fuel efficient pick-ups available now.

I hope a smaller truck with a diesel will entice some business owners, like landscrapers, to downsize from their 1/2 tons. With its bed size, and a tow rating likely near the Prius, I don't see the A-BAT doing that.

I'm not saying it won't successful, but it isn't going to help this nation's fuel economy in a segment that needs it. The cute-utes it will compete against tend to have a decent economy already. Well, with it Toyota won't have to reclassify the Matrix.

 

It looks just like the honda ridgeline and the funny thing is Honda has an ad for the ridgeline on the top of the page the A-Bat article is on.....

 

What is your reasoning behind it? Care to explain?

 

Try doing a search, it was in one of the GM/Toyota spit-a-thon (I mean discussion).

Toyota Fanboys were complaining why GM's 2-mode sucks because it can only be mated with large vehicles.... the parts are designed for the diesel hybrid buses originally.... making it smaller will require major redesign.

GM Fanboys were complaining why Toyota's HSD sucks... because it was designed to be mated for small vehicles (PSD limitation). Notice that the new Highlander is designed to haul 5k lbs, but the hybrid version can only only 3500 lbs?

So unless the PSD is redesigned to haul more, Tundra/Tacoma will not see hybrid any time soon.

 

I also remember a thread like that. I pointed about about the dual stage HSD introduced in Lexus LS600HL. That flagship car weights more than 5,000 lbs and has V8 gas engine.

Similar two-stage HSD can be tuned to haul huge loads in truck application as well.

Evolution of HSD: http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/tech/environment/powertrain/hybrid/index.html