The colorful and fully functional EV will serve as The Wiggles’ new ride during their stage performance
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- Toyota Australia teamed up with The Wiggles to create a new one-off EV stage car.
- The Big Red Ute features Land Cruiser-inspired styling, chunky tires, and a vibrant livery.
- The tiny off-roader is powered by a 48V electric powertrain and has a 12 mph top speed.
In a world where cars are often either all business or all spectacle, Toyota has gone for something a bit different. The automaker has unveiled a one-off electric vehicle designed for the popular Australian children’s music group The Wiggles. Dubbed the Big Red Ute, it combines playful design with Toyota’s off-road heritage, and while it may look like a bit of a gimmick, there’s some genuine engineering at work beneath the colorful exterior.
Designed and developed locally by Toyota’s Product, Planning, and Development division, the Big Red Ute isn’t just a show pony. While this one-off clearly serves a specific purpose, some of its styling elements could hint at the upcoming ‘baby’ Toyota FJ Cruiser.
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The front end draws from the tough, utilitarian design of Toyota’s classic Cruiser J70, with a playful twist. The headlights, for instance, are LED screens that can display everything from pupils to hearts. Muscular fenders, exposed wheels, and underbody protection reinforce the pickup’s off-road character, while the 3,120 mm (122.8 inches) length keeps it compact enough for the stage without losing presence. The same applies to the chunky tires wrapped around the rainbow-themed 12-inch Turbofan wheels.
The exposed cabin accommodates four passengers, each with their own seatbelt attached to the oversized bull bar. Adding to the fun, there’s an integrated bubble machine at the rear, capable of producing 6,000 bubbles per minute, a feature guaranteed to captivate toddlers.
Toyota Australia
The name Big Red Ute is inspired by the latest song release from The Wiggles, while the colorful livery mirrors the Toyota Hilux featured in the music video.
Despite its toy-like appearance, this one-off is a fully functional vehicle, powered by a 48V electric powertrain, independent coil spring suspension, and drum brakes. Naturally, the top speed is limited to 20 km/h (12 mph), because, really, no “ute” needs to go faster than that on a music stage.
The Big Red Ute made its debut on December 7, when The Wiggles performed in Melbourne. The EV will accompany the band on the remainder of their Australian tour, before joining them for their global tour dates. The Wiggles have been around for three decades, earning the title of “the world’s most popular children’s entertainment group.”