SEMA 2015: Toyota shows off world’s meanest 'Tarago'

Toyota released official pics of the world’s toughest people mover.

Created by blending the ladder frame chassis from a Toyota Tacoma, the new concept, called the Ultimate Utility Vehicle (UUV), saw engineers place the body of a Sienna people mover, as sold in North America, on top of the chassis.

Lifting the standard Tacoma LCV’s suspension by well over 100mm and reinforcing the all-wheel drive hardware, engineers say they’ve given the UUV go-anywhere ability. To prove it, the concept has already covered over 30,000km and will spend the winter testing in both Canada and Alaska.

Inside, there are four ‘captain’ chairs and all the tech you need to explore the Great Outdoors with features like a mobile satellite television receiver; Wi-Fi, 17-inch monitor; 60-inch Sony LED TV; 2500-Watt JBL audio system, and even a night vision camera system.

Blending the people mover body with an SUV proved a challenge, say the engineers who worked on it. The tyres, especially, meant the sliding rear and front doors had to be reengineered (read gas-axed) to fit.

Sadly, for those wanting a practical people mover that comes with genuine off-road ability, Toyota has no plans to push the UUV into production.