If you watch TV regularly, you’ve probably noticed the new direction Toyota has taken in minivan advertising. While the company won’t deny that people buy a minivan to cart their kids around, they show that you don’t have to be the Cleavers to drive one. The new series of commercials features a young, funny couple that cruise around in their “Swagger Wagon” (a.k.a. Toyota Sienna). The commercials are pretty funny as far as commercials go, and definitely have a little fun with the minivan stereotype. And the guy just reminds me a lot of Tobias from Arrested Development, so that makes it even better.

Well, Toyota has taken the next step with their latest in the commercial series. Featuring a full-fledged, minivan rap video, the commercial takes the minivan to new heights. It’s gone viral, so if you haven’t seen it, it’s time.

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You know you’re in trouble when you have to employ talk about your vehicle’s “lightning bolt” waistline when describing its attributes. The Honda Odyssey concept is currently on display at the Chicago Auto Show and is basically a sneak preview of the next-generation Odyssey that will be coming later this year. Honda goes for a sleeker, more stylish shape–and yes, a lil’ lightning in the waistline. The concept also gets an updated front fascia and more interior space.

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An electric version of the Ford’s Transit Connect commercial van will officially make its debut at the Chicago Auto Show. The EV swaps out the engine for a high-voltage electric motor wired to a battery pack. The pack can be charged in either 120- or 240-volt outlets. The van is designed as an urban commuter. The Transit Connect will kick off a series of electric vehicles from Ford. Next in line is the Ford Focus BEV, scheduled for next year.

Previous specs had put the range for the Transit Connect BEV at up to 100 miles and the top speed at 70 mph.

Early this year, the standard Transit Connect took home the honor of North American Truck of the Year. [via egmCarTech]

Coming from the manufacturer of the world’s cheapest car, the Magic Iris minivan looks just about like what we’d expect. The boxy little funk-machine is capable of seating up to five passengers. It runs on a 611cc water-cooled diesel that produces…wait for it….11 horsepower. Given that power flatline, the van is only capable of speeds up to about 34 mph. Other highlights include a sheet metal roof (yay?). The wheels come in size 10- or 12-inch.

Tata debuted the van at this week’s Auto Expo in New Delhi.

Designed to get people off of motorized trikes, the Magic Iris is expected to sell for under $2000. [via AutoBlog]

It looks like the present might be the dawn of a new street takeover by funky vans. While it’s a little more curvy and less hemptastic than the Deca Deca concept of Tokyo fame, the Fiat Doblo is equally big and bold. The van comes in a number of configurations including 5- and 7-person MPV varieties complete with dual rear sliding doors. The van also comes in classic Cargo with a single rear sliding door.

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Almost as if in answer to the Deca Deca, Honda presents the fourth-generation Step WGN and Step WGN special needs vehicles. Like the Deca Deca concept, the Step WGN is a large, flat-floored van designed for multiple storage configurations. The van holds up to eight passengers and has plenty of options for storing all the largest cargo. The Step WGNs are powered by a 2.0-liter i-VTEC that can be paired with a CVT or five-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel or all-wheel-drive models are available. Honda has begun selling these two starting at 2,088,000 yen (app. $24,400) and will also add the Step WGN Spada and Spada special needs vehicle later this month. [via WCF]

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It rattles the senses to see a van like that flung open with no smoke billowing out. Alas, the reason for that is she’s  just a concept–the Daihatsu Deca Deca. Fun to say and fun to gawk at, the Deca Deca is more than just the next great toke-mobile, it’s designed with a primary goal of utility. Like the big, beat-up van with a broken window that the local contractor drives to the jobsite each day, people are a second thought for this van. The van features a flat floor, adjustable seating and pillarless doors for simplifying shoving the tools of work inside. It’s powered by a 3-cylinder turbo with CVT transmission and will be showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show. [via WCF]