Toyota's uBox concept was designed for entrepreneurial Generation Zers

It looks like an off-road minivan designed by and for Pee-wee Herman.
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Toyota is already about marketing cars to Generation Z long before most of them can even drive.

Graduate students from Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), with help from some of Toyota's designers and engineers, created a concept car specifically for entrepreneurial members of Generation Z.


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As you can see, it has a muscular exterior, tall ride height and some interesting aerodynamic features -- all aimed at the youths.

The interior is versatile and incorporates custom 3D-printable elements the design of which can be created by the owner or sourced from the online community.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

More than customizable, the interior was laid out to be both utilitarian for outdoorsy weekend activities as well as a career-centric office space.

The uBox is powered by, as Toyota puts it, a "compact, dual-purpose, all-electric powertrain" that is both fun to drive as well as a potent and emissions-free power plant. Occupants can charge consumer electronics, power tools or other devices from the onboard "110-volt sockets located throughout the interior and exterior."

For as great as that all sounds, none of it is exceptionally distinctive or futuristic. I mean, heck, the thing looks like an off-road minivan designed by and for Pee-wee Herman.

Regardless of my qualms with the design, it's great to see students thinking inside the box ... you know what I mean.

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