Minivans aren't usually thought of as cool or rugged. They have a lot of space for kids or hockey equipment, but many people who haul kids and hockey equipment still opt for sexier-looking SUVs.
However, Toyota appears to be trying to change that image, last week revealing a version of its Sienna family hauler, which may just be the coolest-looking minivan ever. The custom-built Sienna sits on the lifted chassis of a Tacoma pickup. The company isn't calling it a minivan, but rather an Ultimate Utility Vehicle.
The revealing of the UUV came along with news of Toyota's new North American headquarters in Texas and an Ever-Better Expedition – a 110-day, 26,550-kilometre road trip across the continent.
"For the next 110 days, our drivers and engineers will steer a convoy of vehicles across North America's highways, byways and backstreets," said Toyota North America CEO Jim Lentz, in a statement. "The endeavour will give our engineers the comprehensive first-hand experience they need to make ever-better products and further captivate our customers."
Little is known about this beefed-up minivan other than it looks like something out of a Mad Max film and it will take part in this expedition.
The expedition is designed to put cars through real-world driving conditions in locations such as Alaska in the winter, Death Valley during the summer, Pikes Peak in Colorado and New York City. The convoy will also travel through Timmins, Ont., Fredericton, Halifax and Toronto. This North American section is the second leg of the Five Continents Driving Project.
Toyota will debut the vehicle at the SEMA Show in November.
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