Toyota ME.WE

It sound like the clarion call of a two-year-old who needs the toilet,but the Me.We actually represents the holistic end of Toyota's futuristic planning department. Developed in conjuction with design agency Massaud, the  Me.We is a small electric supermini that does away with the flab and frippery of modern cars, resolving bare-bones transport into something that Toyota describes as a new, more rational take on the eco-mini formula.

The grandiose blurb describes the blocky little bullet as "addressing responsibility" (the Me bit) and "commitment to good citizenship" (that'll be the We). But what does that actually mean?

In a word,recyclability. If you want minimise the environmental footprint of a car,it’s as important to address the energy needed to build and repair the thing as its day-to-day CO2 output. So, instead of rendering a body in steel or aluminium,what about lightweight, replaceable,recyclable…plastic?

It's a concept that sees the Toyota do away with a traditional monocoque construction.The Me.We's basic stucture is a tubular aluminium frame - a bit like a mountain bike - sheathed in polypropylene panels. The floor and other flat bits are made of renewable bamboo, and underneath is a set of batteries powering four in - wheel electric motors. The arrangement means the Me.We is capable of two - or four - wheel drive without the need for a heavy and expensive 4x4 transmission, and the car's overall weight is kept to a slimline 750kg. Less weight means better battery range,remember.

The predictable raft of bolted-on lifestyle enhancers only serve to make the Me.We even cuter. The rear bench can be folded under the front seat, or popped out entirely to use as a deckchair. The boot can be extended to create a kind of tiny, semi - pickup, and luggage is carried on the roof under a fold - out neoprene cover. The body panels can also be replaced and personalised with ease,though the fact that they're moulded plastic offers the option of some frankly terrifying textured exterior options.

But ignore all the concept siliness,and the Me.We is actually a very attractive premonition of a small, interesting car. Simple,clever, just a little bit-fashion cool. A Mini Moke for 2020?Works for us.