Toyota has just unveiled a multi-purpose and highly practical new concept called the ME.WE. The joint venture between Toyota and leading European industrial designer Jean-Marie Massaud demonstrates a somewhat back to basics approach designed to offer a high degree of practicality and space to passengers.

Depending on an owner's needs, the ME.WE can be configured as a small city car, off-roader, ute (Australian for small pick-up) or even as a convertible. The industrial design influence is very noticeable in the quite minimalist interior that Toyota says represents its goal of "intelligent reduction" - better accommodating the automotive needs of people by eliminating excess in a package that reconciles driving pleasure with environmental responsibility.

The ME.WE makes extensive use of materials that are lightweight and environmentally friendly. It is constructed with a tubular aluminium structure and covered in body panels that are made from expanded polypropylene while the floor and dashboard are made from bamboo. The polypropylene body panels weigh just 14kg, which represents a weight saving of approximately 180kg compared to those made of steel.

Luggage can be carried on the roof, protected by a neoprene cover, whilst larger loads can be accommodated by extending the rear luggage compartment, which transforms it into a platform like that of a ute. All of the windows open as well as the windscreen to give a complete "wind-in-the-hair" experience.

Power comes in the form of a fully electric system similar to that seen in the recently unveiled Toyota i-ROAD concept. The batteries are mounted underneath the floor to optimise interior space as well as greatly reducing the centre of gravity. A small screen mounted above the steering wheel relays the vital information to the driver while a smartphone mounted below the screen handles music and the air conditioning system.

"Our lives and needs require more adaptability, simplicity and lightness," Massaud said. "The car of today should be seen as a personal mobility solution that can deliver more." Toyota says the project has enabled it to gain insights into the future of the automobile from the perspective of a non-automotive design studio.

There are no plans to put the ME.WE into production but it will be on display until June 12 in Le Rendez-vous Toyota on the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris.

Dave Humphreys - 25 Apr 2013