Toyota to unveil a Hybrid...

Interesting. I go to the NAIAS every year in Detroit. I'll make a point to take some pics of this and post as soon as I get back from it.

 

Here is a link I found.
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/12/27/detroit-08-preview-toyota-a-bat-concept/

Not the best looking truck, but maybe they will take some of the concepts and put them in a Hybrid Tacoma.

 

That thing is UGLY! Looks like an evil baby metrosexualmobile (aka Ridgeline).

I like the mid-gate idea for cargo, but don't like the 4 foot bed. It would be interesting to get something like that for the double cabs. I'd like to find out what sort of performance and fuel efficiency they'll get out of the hybrid engine.

 

Aww, it looks like a Ridgeline .

 

That is one of the ugliest trucks i have ever seen. I have no interest in a hybrid. either full gas or full diesel, electric car technology scares me, its too new.

 

What? Do you honestly think that a tiny cover band of elves lives in your radio? It's electricity! And it's already in your truck!

When was the last time you hand to manually crank your engine, like on the Model Ts? Never? I thought so. That's because an electric motor does it for you. Think about electric car technology as just a pair of big starter motors turning the drive wheels. Not so scary now?

 

My score is a 5 out of 10.

 

Still scary. Let me re-phrase. the concept of effectively moving a car on electric motors is new. They had all those electric concept cars out in the 80's and 90's but mass produced hybrid cars are fairly new. I had a friend who bought a prius (dont ask me why, he's an idiot and got made fun of for it constantly). Anyway, not only was the car way more than a normal car with a normal combustion engine, he started having immediate problems with it. fortunately it was under warranty but when his warranty runs out, it costs alot to work on those cars. I dont like hybrids

 

My thoughts exactly. WTF Toyota! There is enough Ridgelines on the road as it is.

 

They just discovered electricity in South Carolina. Hahaha.

 

They have been making diesel-electric hybrid locomotives for decades. Granted, it's not cars, but not too far removed. One major advantage to electric motors is that they have maximum torque at zero RPMs. Think about that for a minute

 

Batteries can be recycled. The biggest risk with a hybrid is that technology changes very rapidly in comparison with gasoline engines so the hybrid motors are more likely to quickly become obsolete.