Toyota Ever-Better Expedition Sienna concept Review
In an effort to have their team members experience the cars they design, engineer and manufacture, Toyota has sent their North American employees on a 110-day excursion across the U.S. Dubbed the Ever-Better Expedition, the trip is currently underway and includes a troupe of Toyota models, including a one-of-a-kind, off-road Sienna, known as the Toyota Ultimate Utility Vehicle.
Toyota's all-new Sienna SUV is just the vehicle their team members need on their trek across the country. It's currently following the clan as they make their way through California's Death Valley, Alaska, Pike's Peak in Colorado, the busy streets of New York City, Daytona Beach and the historic Route 66. Unique and completely customized, the Toyota Ultimate Utility Vehicle is comprised of a Sienna body that has been added to a Tacoma truck chassis and features an upgraded suspension, reinforced wheel arches, smoked headlamps, tinted windows and a matte black paint job. Aside from its involvement in the Ever-Better Expedition, the off-roader is set to make an appearance at this year's SEMA auto show, which will be held this November in Las Vegas, Nevada.
If you'd like to follow the Ever-Better Expedition for a chance to see the Toyota Ultimate Utility Vehicle in action, visit the official site here. Exclusive videos and photos will be added to the site periodically for you to view at any time.
Back in June, Toyota first showed the world this wild-child Sienna, which it dubbed Ultimate Utility Vehicle. Since then, the former minivan turned beastly off-roader has been touring the country as part of the company’s Ever-Better Expedition, sort of a team-building exercise. Now it’s pulling in to SEMA—its natural home, one might argue—and we’re finally learning more about its build.
We already knew that this sinister Sienna sits atop the chassis of a Toyota Tacoma pickup. Obviously, the nerdy sliding doors are replaced by motorized side doors. The fronts have been converted to suicide doors. The matte-black body is nearly all custom, including the front fenders and all four doors. The unique front bumper is by the folks at N-FAB, who also fitted the front winch mount and side step. The custom roof rack features an LED light bar.
The Engaged suspension components raise the former Sienna more than four inches from stock and allow for more than 15 inches of wheel travel. Those wheels are 22-by-12-inch Monster Energy 539B Off-Road units, wrapped with 33-by-22 Nitto Mud Grappler tires. The vehicle also includes a TRD supercharger and a Wilwood brake kit.
Inside the fully customized interior, a 2500-watt JBL audio system rocks the house, while a night-vision camera system lets occupants keep tabs on the world outside.
