You want to try it out, right? This is the Toyota i-Road, a new personal mobility vehicle (PMV) concept, and it’s set to debut at the Geneva motor show next week.
Scroll down to see more images.
Toyota i-Road details
Designed for city streets, the battery-powered i-Road provides covered tandem-style seating for two people and can travel up to 30 miles (50km) on a single charge. Using ‘Active Lean’ technology, it is safe, intuitive and enjoyable to drive, with no need for driver or passenger to wear a helmet.
The three-wheel i-Road measures 2,350mm long and 1,445mm high and has a 1,700mm wheelbase. It’s most significant dimension, though, is its width: at only 850mm, it is no wider than a conventional motorcycle.
Not only does this make for easy manoeuvring through traffic, it also means four can be parked in one parking bay.
The zero-emissions, all-electric powertrain uses a lithium-ion battery to power two 2kW motors mounted in the front wheels, giving brisk acceleration and near-silent running. Driving range is around 30 miles, after which the battery can be fully recharged from a conventional domestic power supply in three hours.
See also:
Looking into the future with Toyota’s concept cars
Active Lean technology
Toyota’s Active Lean technology is the key to i-Road’s stability, safety and its fun-to-drive character. The system uses a lean actuator and gearing mounted above the front suspension member, linked via a yoke to the left and right front tyres. An ECU calculates the required degree of lean based on steering angle, gyro-sensor and vehicle speed information, with the system automatically moving the tyres up and down in opposite directions, applying lean angle to counteract the centrifugal force of cornering.
The system also operates when the vehicle is being driven in a straight line over stepped surfaces, the actuator automatically compensating for changes in the road to keep the body level. The minimum turning circle is just three metres.
No special skills are needed to pilot i-Road; the Active Lean system offers a unique driving experience with the enjoyment of riding a two-wheeler, but with no need for the driver to stabilise the vehicle when manoeuvring at low speed, or when stationary.
The perfect city slicker
As the driver doesn’t have to put his or her feet on the road surface at any time, i-Road can be fitted with a safer, weatherproof, closed body and so can be driven without wearing a helmet. This design also allows for a more car-like environment on board, with the potential for features such as lighting, heating, audio and Bluetooth to be provided.
Toyota envisages its i-Road concept has the potential to play a significant role in reducing urban traffic congestion and air pollution. Commuters can use public transport or conventional private vehicles to travel to urban perimeter transportation hubs where they will transfer to an i-Road to complete their journeys into the city centre.
The compact size, manoeuvrability, easy parking, rapid charging and choice of an open or closed cabin make it an ideal urban vehicle, designed to reduce congestion and CO2, NOx and particulate emissions without compromising individual freedom of mobility.
Environmental benefits
i-Road is the latest concept to emerge from Toyota’s 40 years of research and development of vehicles that use less energy, place less of a burden on the environment and that meet people’s everyday transport needs – taking Toyota closer to its goal of creating the ultimate range of eco cars.
Toyota is paving the way for several types of eco car to co-exist in the future, by adapting its Hybrid Synergy Drive technology for use in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) like the Prius Plug-in, electric vehicles (EVs) and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) such as the FCV-R concept.
While hybrids, plug-in hybrids and FCVs are ideal for mainstream use over medium to long distances, Toyota believes in the feasibility of EVs to serve as a main mode of transport for short urban journeys, and has 10 years’ experience in the research and development of PMVs.
People using this kind of vehicle want something that is more comfortable, offers better weather protection and is safer than a two-wheeler such as a scooter or motorcycle, but has similar benefits of low running costs, easy parking and around-town manoeuvrability.
Read more of our Geneva motor show coverage.
I’ve already posted comments about this great concept vehicle on Youtube and Twitter but, I’d like to add:
I wonder if the 30 miles capability might be increased as battery technology betters. You should mention this to potential buyers rather than let them think 30 miles is max and, perhaps no good for hilly areas with large people driving it!
With that in mind, I’m sure you are familiar with the latest developments in battery technology? If not, take a read of this. It’s about Graphene-based supercapacitors and I just wonder if it’ll help shed light on an ever evolving area of electrical storage:
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2Cc0l0/www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2286714/The-battery-breakthrough-charge-iPhone-SECONDS.html/
I look forward to reading how this progresses. One last point is, make it trendy to use because, people are put off by the ridicule factor perpetrated by jealous people.
Good luck at Geneva launch tomorrow.
If I can be of help in posting to my subscribers, just let me know.
Best regards
Mr Martin
Halifax
UK
Thanks very much for your post, Mr Martin.
We’ll be covering the show live tomorrow so stay tuned for all the latest here and on our Twitter feed – @ToyotaGB.
Have a good day and thanks again.
You are welcome! 😉
I look forward to tomorrows show and future posts on Youtube and Twitter. In the meantime, here’s another link that may be of interest (Toyota probably already ahead of it anyway!)
It’s ARPA website for Energy Innovation:
http://www.arpae-summit.com/
Best regards
Mr Martin
wow,, truly amazing,,, this is the that will get me around the town easily,, easy to park up,, no emissions,, cheap to run,, stylish,, absalute dream,,, cant wait to see them on the market,,, well done toyota
I am just concluding a book on the A-Z of 3-wheelers that covers 3-wheelers from 1769 to present day(see http://www.crecy.co.uk/the-a-z-of-three-wheelers ) and would love to include this. Can I use two of these images in the book if I give full acknowledgements to Toyota?
Best Wishes,
Elvis Payne
how can i buy one in the U.S.A.?
How much will it cost and can you take the battery out to charge it if you live in a flat for instance. It looks lovely and I would love to try one out. When will they be available?
Hi Ms Taylor
Thanks for your post and good to read of your interest in i-Road.
i-Road is still currently a concept however we are in the process of trials to help evaluate market response and technical feedback before we confirm production. You can read more about the trials taking place in Japan from the attached link. http://bit.ly/GzEJIl. There will also be trials in France next year. Unfortunately we cannot put a timeframe on production at this early stage but stay tuned to our Blog regarding future news.
Hope this helps.
would love to know what sort of price this is likely to be
Hi Jill
No pricing yet as i-Road will be undergoing market evaluations in Japan and France next year. We will be publishing further stories on our Blog in the future as we hope to bring more information about these trials.
Hope this helps
I would love to take a test drive.
Hello Ardyce
Thanks for your post on i-Road and good to hear of your interest in this vehicle.
Market evaluation will be taking place in Japan and France next year but no plans for the UK at present. That said if you keep an eye on our Blog we will be keeping an eye on how these tests are going and if any further news does arise.
Best wishes
Brilliant – I want one