Toyota has released pictures of the U2 — described as a concept car for the US market, from a European perspective, it combines the benefits of a pick-up with the load-lugging efficiency of a small van, by removing the divide between the cab area and the load area and providing a large opening tailgate and roof panel:

The Toyota Calty U2 concept

The U2 is the work of Toyota’s Calty Design Center, in California, and was inspired — apparently — by the growing DIY and craft movement in the US, as well as by consumers’ desire for smaller but more useful SUVs.

Inside the Inside Toyota U2 concept car

As a result, the U2 is the size of a compact car, but has the functionality of a traditional pick-up and the spaciousness of a cargo van.

It needed to be easily adaptable for individual on-the-go needs, witnessed in details such as a retractable utility bar that can do anything from hold a desk to provide hooks for shopping bags. The side windows flip up, so it’s easy to reach in from the roadside.

Other highlights include: –

• Folding, removable front passenger seat
• Fold-up rear seats
• New shift design with an intuitive switch for park, drive and reverse
• New colour and trim material choices

It also answers other urban driver priorities in delivering good fuel economy and being easy to manoeuvre, load and unload, according to Toyota.

I can certainly see the market for something like this, although less so in the UK, where it would be likely to be a niche vehicle — more expensive and less practical than a small van like the Citroen Berlingo, albeit with more status.