The News Wheel
No Comments

Toyota Unveils Urban Utility Concept Car in Cali

Decrease Font Size Increase Font Size Text Size Print This Page

Makes other vans uncool... oh, wait.

Urban Utility Concept Car

Toyota’s Urban Utility Concept Car

Utility vans are just so boring. There’s nothing exciting about a vehicle used to transport a caterer’s food, a handyman’s tools, or a courier’s packages. Toyota wants to change all that with the introduction of its Urban Utility Concept Car at the Maker Faire hosted by Make: magazine in San Francisco today. The vehicle, which is also known as U², was designed by Toyota’s Calty Design Research—the design studio also responsible for the FT-1 Concept and the upcoming 2015 Camry.

Gallery: Urban Utility Concept Car Exterior


Concept-Turned-Production: Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle Set For December Production


The Urban Utility Concept Car offers all the convenience and utility of a van, but in a much cooler package. The vehicle features a roll-back roof, a tailgate which folds down into a ramp, and a customizable interior. This interior offers features such as a utility rail system designed for holding anything from baskets to bike stands, a foldable and removable passenger seat, fold-up rear seating, and flip-up side windows. On the outside, the vehicle boasts rear glass that can slide into the tailgate; roof panels that retract open; and protective, replaceable ridges on the tailgate.

Gallery: Urban Utility Concept Car Interior and Info

Toyota promises that the concept vehicle offers the small size of a compact car, together with the functionality of a small truck and the spaciousness of a cargo van. Added up, this means greater fuel economy, easier loading and unloading, and greater maneuverability on smaller city streets.

It might be a concept, but if the U² ever makes it to production, we can see it being a hit with younger, hipper business owners who need a versatile vehicle but hate the look and feel of the traditional bulky cargo van.


Value for Money: New 2015 Yaris Has More Style For Value Price