Yamaha Cross Hub ute concept unveiled

The Yamaha Cross Hub ute concept can carry four people and two motorbikes within its compact body.

With Yamaha Motor making everything from motorcycles, boats, outboard motors, scooters, all-terrain vehicles, generators, snow throwers, and golf carts to snowmobiles, it says it “knows the potential and possibilities for fun through mobility” and is therefore capable of offering “the joy of riding in all types of environments”.

This idea is said to be encapsulated by the Cross Hub concept, which is “just the right size” and aimed at city dwellers with an outdoor spirit.

Measuring 4490mm long, 1960mm wide and 1750mm tall, the Cross Hub is short, but wide and tall. The wide body helps the car to seat four people in a unique diamond-shaped layout.

The driver’s seat and steering wheel are positioned along the vehicle’s central axis, with two passengers slightly behind and to the sides, and the fourth passenger placed behind the driver. Entry to and exit from the Cross Hub is helped by the rear-hinged front doors.

According to Yamaha, the diamond seating arrangement also allows the Cross Hub to fit two motorcycles out the back despite the short distance between the front and rear bumpers. Both the cabin and rear cargo area have wood floors.

Yamaha has yet to provide any details about the Cross Hub’s drivetrain, but given the company used to produce V6 and V8 engines for the Ford Taurus and various Volvos, as well as four-cylinder motors for Toyota, there’s hope for something interesting under the bonnet.

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