Toyota's U² Urban Utility Concept
Toyota’s U² Urban Utility concept
previews the real world of compact commercial vans.We often think of concept
cars as glamorous, boundary-pushing visions of the automobile of tomorrow, but
this study from Toyota is more straight-to-the-point. Granted, it has plenty of
interesting, concept-like cues - because that’s what it is, but the vehicle
clearly showcases the Japanese car manufacturer eagerness to target the
commercial van niche.
Pronounced the “U Squared”, it
officially debuted at this year’s 2016 Canadian International Auto Show, in
Toronto, and is described as a “urban utility concept”.
Although the Toronto Auto Show was the
U²’s first public outing, the car was actually unveiled in late 2014 during a
private panel discussion hosted by Make Magazine. Moreover, according to the
Detroit Bureau, the vehicle’s next target is the upcoming Chicago Auto Show –
which could indicate Toyota’s zeal to launch a new van for the commercial
segment.
