Toyota's Urban Utility concept (U Squared, for short) debuted today at a private panel discussion hosted by Make: magazine in San Francisco, Calif.
Updated:Caption:Antuan GoodwinPhoto:Toyota Calty Design Research
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Toyota Urban Utility concept
The compact concept is designed to offer big capacity for crowded city dwellers.
Updated:Caption:Antuan GoodwinPhoto:Toyota Calty Design Research
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Toyota Urban Utility concept
Developed by Toyota’s Calty Design Research in Newport Beach, Calif., the Toyota U Squared's boxy back end is the key to its open architecture.
Updated:Caption:Antuan GoodwinPhoto:Toyota Calty Design Research
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Toyota Urban Utility concept
The rear glass retracts into the tailgate, which, in turn, swings down to reveal the large, reconfigurable storage area.
Updated:Caption:Antuan GoodwinPhoto:Toyota Calty Design Research
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Toyota Urban Utility concept
The tailgate can touch the ground to act as a ramp while the glass roof also retracts to allow unfettered access to the rear and to allow the U Squared to carry tall cargo.
Updated:Caption:Antuan GoodwinPhoto:Toyota Calty Design Research
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Toyota Urban Utility concept
The driver's seat and cockpit are the only "fixed" bits in the U Squared's cabin. The entire rest of the interior is reconfigurable.
Updated:Caption:Antuan GoodwinPhoto:Toyota Calty Design Research
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Toyota Urban Utility concept
Additional seats can be added for up to three passengers, or accessories can be added to accommodate special equipment like bikes. Or the entire cabin can be left free for bulky items.
Updated:Caption:Antuan GoodwinPhoto:Toyota Calty Design Research
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Toyota Urban Utility concept
This graphic illustrates the different "zones" that the U Squared offers.
Updated:Caption:Antuan GoodwinPhoto:Toyota Calty Design Research
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Toyota Urban Utility concept
The cockpit is where you'll find the driver's seat, steering wheel, and a rather unconventional center console/armrest.
Updated:Caption:Antuan GoodwinPhoto:Toyota Calty Design Research
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Toyota Urban Utility concept
Rather than a traditional infotainment stack, the U Squared's dashboard uses an iPad with a customized interface that monitors the vehicle's performance and various systems.
Updated:Caption:Antuan GoodwinPhoto:Toyota Calty Design Research
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Toyota Urban Utility concept
Ahead of the front passenger position is a sliding bar that allows this bit of the dashboard to be customized with accessories.
Updated:Caption:Antuan GoodwinPhoto:Toyota Calty Design Research
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Toyota Urban Utility concept
For example, this desk locks into place on the dashboard, giving the driver or passenger a temporary workspace for writing or using a laptop when the vehicle is parked.
Updated:Caption:Antuan GoodwinPhoto:Toyota Calty Design Research
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Toyota Urban Utility concept
According to Toyota, "research showed the fast-growing small SUV segment points to a desire for greater utility but a smaller footprint."
Updated:Caption:Antuan GoodwinPhoto:Toyota Calty Design Research
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Toyota Urban Utility concept
The goal of the U Squared is to provide the utility of a cargo van with a vehicle the size of a small hatchback.
Updated:Caption:Antuan GoodwinPhoto:Toyota Calty Design Research
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Toyota Urban Utility concept
As a design exercise, there was no mention of a possible powertrain or plans to move toward production with the U Squared, but it wouldn't be hard to imagine elements of the concept's utility making it into the next Scion xB.
Updated:Caption:Antuan GoodwinPhoto:Toyota Calty Design Research
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Toyota Urban Utility concept (live)
The Urban Utility concept debuted at a roundtable event held by Make: magazine in San Francisco.
