This one looks a little scary and could keep me awake at night.

Toyota will unveil a concept for a small hybrid pickup at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month.

Toyota said the A-BAT truck was conceived by its U.S. sales and design experts with suburban drivers in mind. Looks like a discussion during the aftermath of a wild Christmas party initiated this one.

At first look, I can’t tell the front end from the rear end except for the positioning of the side view mirrors. It also sort of looks like a tornado chaser vehicle.

Positioned below the Tacoma in Toyota’s lineup, the A-BAT bears a grotesque resemblance to Honda’s midsize Ridgeline pickup. Like the Ridgeline, the A-BAT has a unibody platform, which provides car-like handling and a smoother ride.

The A-BAT features plenty of gadgets, such as tailgate lighting, a portable power pack, information-display screens for the driver and front passenger, and clever storage areas, such as a sliding drawer beneath the 4-foot bed.

In addition to the fuel-efficient gas-electric powertrain, the A-BAT’s other environmentally friendly attributes include solar panels that can convert sunlight into energy to charge the navigation unit and information displays. Toyota said its designers strived to create a rugged look for the exterior but a modern interior. The truck can seat four in a combination of configurations.

I guess a picture can’t tell the whole story. If I have the nerve, I will pay the A-BAT a visit in Detroit.