Toyota's New Pickup May Be a Hybrid

Toyota's A-BAT concept vehicle borrows the Prius' trapezoidal profile.

The A-BAT concept vehicle is equipped with Hybrid Synergy Drive, Toyota's third-generation gas-electric hybrid powertrain technology, according to the company. Its trapezoidal profile was borrowed from the Prius, another hybrid Toyota vehicle.

''This concept is the next evolution of the compact truck,'' said Kevin Hunter, president of Calty Design Research Inc., Toyota's North American-based research and design center, in a statement.

The four-passenger pickup features a 4-foot cargo bed, while a translucent roof panel slides open to allow for tall cargo inside the cab. This storage area can be extended by 2 feet by folding the rear wall of the bed down into the cab, and by another 2 feet by opening the tailgate.

The truck uses a unibody platform for improved handling and a smoother ride. Inside, there is a retractable portable navigation unit with a 7-inch screen and wireless Internet, while the center console houses a portable battery pack.

Both the driver and front passenger have large display screens to view the status of their high-tech gadgets as well as climate and audio settings.

The A-BAT has solar panels on the dashboard to capture sunlight and assist in charging the navigation unit, battery pack, and backlit information displays, Toyota said.