Toyota Australia has kicked off its new partnership with children’s group The Wiggles by revealing a new electric vehicle called the Big Red Ute.
WATCH: James Wong gets a walkaround of the new Toyota Big Red Ute featuring The Wiggles
Set to make its on-stage debut this weekend, the Big Red Ute stage vehicle is a custom-made electric vehicle designed and developed by the Toyota Design Australia team.
With an exterior design inspired by the FJ Cruiser, the Big Red Ute stage car is powered by a 48V DC electric motor on the rear axle hooked up to a 48V lithium-ion battery – outputs and energy density aren’t disclosed. Toyota quotes a top speed of 20km/h.
100s of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
It measures 3120mm long and 1620mm tall, with desirable on-board features like a commercial grade bubble machine with an output of 6000 bubbles/min; and LED headlights programmed to work as ‘eyes’.
Filling the arches are 12-inch Rainbow Turbofan wheels shod in 22 x 9.50-10 front and 24 x 12.00-10 rear tyres, and up to four Wiggles can ride in the Wiggles Yellow-coloured front and rear bench seats with retractable seatbelts.
Rounding out the provided spec details are a rack and pinion steering system as well as rear drum brakes.
“The development of the stage car is a first for Toyota and has been a fun concept to bring to life for the band,” said Vin Naidoo, chief marketing officer for Toyota Australia. “It’s not every day the team develops a vehicle with a bubble machine and LED eye headlights as its main features.”
Despite EVs being a hot-potato issue, it’s unclear whether the Toyota Big Red Ute previews upcoming electric vehicle projects from the Japanese giant. Brand representatives were instead focused on perfecting their hokey pokey.
Following its on-stage debut at the ‘Wiggle and Learn Big Show’ Melbourne concert on Saturday, December 7, it’ll continue touring with the iconic children’s group across Australia and worldwide – with shows in Newcastle and Sydney scheduled for the remainder of December.
Toyota’s electric Big Red Ute stage car joins the roadworthy Buute and Toott Big Red Utes, a pair of Wiggles-themed HiLux utes which The Wiggles will be driving to the 2025 Toyota Tamworth Country Music Festival in NSW ahead of two special shows on January 21.
The partnership between the two brands is off the back of the group’s new song Big Red Ute – a country-themed children’s song with nostalgic ties to Big Red Car – which saw Toyota collaborate with a special HiLux decked out in a special Wiggles livery featuring in the music video.
Check out @carexpert.com.au on Instagram to see more Big Red Ute content!
Toot Toot Chugga Chugga! The Wiggles with their new Big Red Ute
Click the images for the full gallery
MORE: Everything Toyota
