Toyota has unveiled the Urban Utility Concept today at a private panel discussion hosted by Make: magazine in San Francisco.
Toyota has unveiled the Urban Utility Concept today at a private panel discussion hosted by Make: magazine in San Francisco. With a footprint that’s the same size as a compact car with the functionality of a compact truck and the spaciousness of a cargo van, the Utility Concept is perfect for the urban driver.
The Utility Concept vehicle – or U2 was designed by Toyota’s Calty Design Research in Newport Beach, California. It features a new open architecture with the ability to roll back the roof, fold down the tailgate into a ramp and customize the interior on a versatile rail system.
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“Toyota saw an opportunity for a new approach to an urban vehicle based on increasing re-urbanization of our cities and urban drivers’ desire for flexibility, fun and maneuverability,” said Kevin Hunter president of Calty, Toyota’s North American design studio. “Calty keeps a number of projects concealed while exploring ideas and products. Revealing a project like the U2 gives people a window into the constant innovation that happens inside Toyota and our Calty studios and one possible future for urban mobility.”
Toyota hasn’t announced any production plans, but it could be an interesting competitor to other small vans, like the Nissan NV200 and Ford Transit Connect.
Source: Toyota