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Toyota to Unveil New RND Concept on January 26

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Sergiospl, Jan 21, 2015.

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  1. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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    Mystery new Toyota 'RND' Concept teased

    Toyota has released a subtle teaser image of a new 'fun to drive' production-ready concept it plans to unveil next week

    Toyota has quietly released a teaser image of an intriguing new concept car. Dubbed the 'RND', the firm claims a "production-ready" model will make its world debut on the 26th of January. Little is known about what it could be, but whatever it is will change "the face of motoring within weeks", according to Toyota.
    The Japanese firm remains tight-lipped, promises the concept's design "marks a radical shift in direction for Toyota". It is also claimed to take the "fun-to-drive" qualities of its car range (primarily cars like the GT86 coupe), and make them more accessible to the widest possible market. The manufacturing is already in place, and pricing has been decided prior to the unveil.

    Toyota goes as far to say the concept will have an impact beyond its own range, and could "transform the look of every vehicle on the road". There isn't even an indication of whether it is a production car, other than the unusual teaser image that possibly shows a tail light design.

    It's unlikely to be the rumoured new Supra, as we already saw the FT-1 concept of this at last year's Detroit Motor Show.

    Our best guesses have it as some form of radical transport solution, priced to be available to a whole new range of consumers. Toyota GB President Matt Harrison stated "ahead of the official unveiling I can say that this is something we are proud of and that will make a valuable contribution to the world we live in.”
    toyota-rnd-concept_0.jpg Teaser Image; Mystery new Toyota 'RND' Concept teased | Auto Express
    In the meantime, what do you think the RND could be? Feel free to speculate! I am thinking of something with "Battery"
     
    #1 Sergiospl, Jan 21, 2015
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  2. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

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    Googling around and reading comments from others, this popped up as a possibility:

    Gordon Murray's T25 and T27 concept (also, Gordon Murray is in the UK.. which may explain the UK reveal)

    Murray T25 and T27 confirmed for production | Autocar
    But the "will make a valuable contribution to the world we live in" may be referring to the all-electric version:
    [​IMG]

    Another interesting quote from the article that sounds a lot like Toyota's press release language:
     
    #2 Tracksyde, Jan 21, 2015
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2015
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  3. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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    ^^ Right, was thinking of a lightweight all electric car with good range.
     
    #3 Sergiospl, Jan 21, 2015
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    these teasers usually wind up tremendous disappointments. thinking segway.
     
    #4 bisco, Jan 21, 2015
  5. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Same here. The release wording reminded me a lot of what was initially released on the Segway.

    Perhaps if it is that T27, Toyota might have switched its apperant stance on EVs.
     
    #5 Trollbait, Jan 21, 2015
  6. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    I can't wait for the reveal day..... curiosity is killing me.
     
    #6 mrbigh, Jan 22, 2015
  7. Brianb913

    Brianb913 Member

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    Well, this could be interesting, here's hoping for a 'useful' all electric. And by useful I mean can seat 4+ and have some decent cargo room. On the flip side I would consider a sporty 2 seater all electric as long as it had some decent cargo room. The central driver's seat like the cars mentioned above by trackside is interesting, and I might consider one with the proper seating configuration in an all electric sporty hatchback style car. All of these being range dependent of course. I would need a minimum of 75 miles of winter weather range to make an all electric my every day car.

    It could also be the complete gen 4 prius redesign that Toyota is trying to hype up, that would explain why this thing would be production ready so soon, but I doubt that.
     
    #7 Brianb913, Jan 22, 2015
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2015
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i don't think a lightweight city ev is going to change the transportation world as we know it. i feel like bob klutz has taken over toyota.
     
    #8 bisco, Jan 22, 2015
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  9. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    RND=Reverse, Neutral, Drive? Another strange name/acronym just like all the Tacoma TuRD's running around here. LOL
     
    #9 fotomoto, Jan 22, 2015
  10. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    Just kill me - if it's more fuel cell mumbo jumbo
    .
     
    #10 hill, Jan 22, 2015
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  11. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    The all....new....2016 Toyota Tata!
    [​IMG]

    Good news!
    Their new combined corporate logo won't look like two bungholes mating! :D

    More seriously...if it's a T-25/T-27 type, will it meet US crash tests?
    Will it be offered in the US???
     
    #11 ETC(SS), Jan 22, 2015
  12. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    The prototype:
    [​IMG]

    Bob Wilson
     
    #12 bwilson4web, Jan 22, 2015
  13. Brianb913

    Brianb913 Member

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    You make a joke about Ta-tas and post Angelina Jolie instead of Christina Hendricks? ... *shakes head*
    [​IMG]
     
    #13 Brianb913, Jan 22, 2015
  14. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Straps? Do you fly biplanes too? I prefer cantilever structures.

    In all seriousness, I appreciate we are speculating about an article discussing a 'future' product announcement. But it does remind me of how many times our community has been 'projection-posting'. Kinda like the run-up to the Volt announcement at the Detroit Auto Show for a product not available until this summer. . . . <old man shaking head and muttering to himself>

    Bob Wilson
     
    #14 bwilson4web, Jan 22, 2015
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    bodacious.
     
    #15 bisco, Jan 22, 2015
  16. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Next gen Yaris?
     
    #16 Tideland Prius, Jan 22, 2015
  17. inferno

    inferno Senior Member

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    #17 inferno, Jan 24, 2015
  18. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Closed.
     
    #18 Tideland Prius, Jan 24, 2015
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