Toyota Gazoo Racing revealed a mid‑engine kei‑truck concept at Tokyo Auto Salon 2026, mixing sport‑car style with compact utility. See the details now!
At the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota Gazoo Racing turned heads not with a sleek sports car but with an unexpected reinterpretation of a kei‑truck.
A surprise reveal at Tokyo Auto Salon
Earlier teasers hinted at a two‑seat, mid‑engine sports machine, fueling speculation that Toyota might resurrect a compact performance model. Instead, the stage hosted a re‑engineered version of the Daihatsu Hijet, stripped down and rearranged to showcase a true mid‑engine configuration.
Reimagining the Daihatsu Hijet
The concept is built on the chassis of the popular Hijet micro‑van, but the cabin has been compressed to just two seats, and the cargo box has been transformed into a minimalist shell that no longer serves a practical purpose. The engine sits behind the seats, creating the visual and weight‑balance profile of a mid‑engine sports car while retaining the silhouette of a miniature truck.
Mid‑engine layout in a mini‑truck
By relocating the power unit to the centre of the vehicle, Toyota achieves a layout usually reserved for high‑performance coupes. The design features a protective roll‑cage, racing‑style seats and oversized off‑road tires, underscoring its prototype nature rather than a production‑ready package.
Specs and practicality remain unclear
Toyota has not released any technical data – engine size, output, or drivetrain – leaving observers to wonder whether the model is a fully drivable prototype or a static showcase. The stripped‑down cargo area and the presence of racing components suggest the vehicle is meant for demonstration and experimentation.
What Toyota is signalling
The “mid‑engine kei‑truck” embodies Gazoo Racing’s willingness to blur the lines between utility and sport. It signals a flexible, even playful, approach to exploring new packaging ideas for future compact performance cars, especially as the brand collaborates with its Daihatsu subsidiary.
- Based on the Daihatsu Hijet platform
- Two‑seat cabin with central engine placement
- Racing‑style roll‑cage and seats
- Oversized tires for grip and visual impact
- No official performance specifications disclosed
While the concept may disappoint those hoping for a ready‑to‑drive sports coupe, it offers a tantalising glimpse into Toyota’s experimental mindset and could foreshadow an unconventional direction for kei‑class performance vehicles.