Toyota unveils electric ute
There will be a record 475 companies participating at this week’s Japan Mobility Show, formerly known as the Tokyo Motor Show.
Organised by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers’ Association and the first since 2019 following a pandemic-induced hiatus, it will highlight a variety of advanced technologies beyond the car industry, such as robots and drones.
Japanese marques seem determined to play catch-up with overseas rivals, such as Tesla. Among the major EV makers, Chinese market-leader BYD will be at Tokyo’s Big Sight, the country’s biggest convention and exhibition centre, for the first time.
The show, which is open to the public from October 28 to November 5, will see Toyota unveil a battery electric ute with a two-piece tailgate that flips up to keep things from sliding out the back of the load bed.
Whether there is a mid-gate planned is unknown at this point, but it could make the EPU, pictured, just the ticket for hauling longer items on occasion.
The mid-size concept has a monocoque body delivering high durability to create a practical yet stylish BEV, says Toyota.
At just over five metres long, the double cab’s structure also allows for a versatile deck space that caters to a broader range of user applications.
The rear of the cabin links boldly with the deck to accommodate diverse user preferences, supporting a wide range of mobility lifestyles including outdoor activities.
BEV quietness is accompanied by packaging with a low centre of gravity for superior handling stability and ride comfort.
The EPU comes in at 5,070mm long, 1,910mm wide and 1,710mm high, while the wheelbase is 3,350mm long.
Toyota is also introducing its NEO Steer prototype at the Japan Mobility Show. It’s a yoke-like device that moves the throttle controls to the steering device where they are operated by hands instead of feet.
This would allow people who have lost the use of their legs or feet to operate a car, and the marque says it gives drivers a superb view of the road ahead.
Toyota says the cockpit concept is based on motorcycle handlebars, integrating the functions of the accelerator and brake pedals into the steering wheel.
A sweeping field of vision is made possible by the steering wheel’s irregular profile, and the roomy pedal-free floor space enables an unrestricted driving position along with smooth entry and exit.
It adds the NEO Steer will help foster greater love for cars, and deliver the joy and excitement of mobility for all, as well as offering safe, intuitive hand-operated driving for users with lower-limb impairments.
