The Toyota EPU Concept has just been unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 (nee Tokyo Motor Show). Though not explicitly explained, the name clearly stands for Electric Pick-Up, and Toyota describes it as a “next-generation mid-size truck.” What we are looking at here may just well be a preview of a future Hilux EV pick-up truck!
Appearing much larger in person than in photos, the Toyota EPU looks much more like a Hilux in the flesh than say, a Hyundai Santa Cruz-style compact pick-up. It measures 5,070 mm long, 1,910 mm wide and 1,710 mm tall with a wheelbase of 3,350 mm, which is just slightly shorter than a double-cab Hilux that is 5,325 mm long, 1,900 mm wide, 1,815 mm tall with a wheelbase of 3,085 mm.
However, unlike the Hilux, the EPU is built on a monocoque platform as opposed to a ladder frame that is the norm for pick-up trucks. Toyota claims the unibody construction delivers high durability expected of a truck, while also being a practical yet stylish EV. The flat floor offers a versatile rear deck for a broader range of user applications too.
Being an EV, the EPU is said to have superior quietness, as well as a low centre of gravity for better handling stability and ride comfort compared to a traditional pick-up truck of its size. Inside, it features a steering yoke in place of a conventional wheel, and above this is a pair of overlapping, freestanding screens.
For now, Toyota has not revealed any technical specifications, range or performance figures for the concept. So, what do you make of the Toyota EPU, and how would you accept it as an eventual replacement for the Hilux pick-up truck? Comment below!
The post Toyota EPU concept previews future Hilux EV pick-up! appeared first on Paul Tan’s Automotive News.
