Toyota Detroit flatbed concept news - Pick-up yours - 2008

A Japanese manufacturer rolling up to the Detroit show with a new pick-up - symbol of the great American dream - is about as provocative as dumping a big bag of foreign coal in the middle of Newcastle and saying, 'Got anything as good as that, eh?' 

But that's exactly what Toyota is planning with this, the A-BAT concept, set to be formally unveiled in Detroit early next week. 

If it's any consolation to the Americans, at least the A-BAT was designed on their fair soil: at Toyota's Calty design studio in California. 

And it's an, erm, unusual looking thing. Toyota says that A-BAT's trapezoidal profile was inspired by the shape of the Prius, while the cab-forward stance reflects a NATO all-terrain vehicle. While we're struggling to get either of those references, we're seeing an unheathly dose of Honda's Ridgeline pick-up in there. 

There is, however, more of the Prius in the A-BAT's drivetrain, which uses Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive mated to a four-pot petrol engine. 

Hardly standard pick-up fare, that, and neither are a few of the A-BAT's concept touches, including a seven-inch diagonal satnav screen and WiFi internet. And a 'sculptured alloy' centre console. And suicide doors. Oh, and solar panels on top of the instrument cluster.

We'll find out what the Americans make of the curious little A-BAT in Detroit next week. We're hoping for flaming torches, pitchforks and rioting.