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03-04-2013, 01:31 PM
Filed under: Concept Cars (http://www.autoblog.com/category/conceptcars/), Coupe (http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/), Geneva Motor Show (http://www.autoblog.com/category/geneva-motor-show/), Videos (http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/), Toyota (http://www.autoblog.com/category/toyota/), Motorcycle (http://www.autoblog.com/category/motorcycles/), Specialty (http://www.autoblog.com/category/special-limited-editions/), Electric (http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/toyota-i-road-concept-opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/toyota-i-road-concept-0/)
According to Toyota (http://autoblog.com/toyota/), the "i-ROAD (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/26/toyota-sizzle-reel-gives-better-look-at-i-road-geneva-concept/) takes the company closer to its goal of creating the ultimate range of eco cars." As you're surely aware, that range of eco cars includes the enormously successful Prius (http://autoblog.com/toyota/prius/) family, but this new machine is nothing like the hybrid hatchback. And it's not even a car - Toyota calls the i-ROAD a Personal Mobility Vehicle.
Toyota's i-ROAD Concept, which debuts at this week's Geneva Motor Show (http://www.autoblog.com/geneva-motor-show/), is adorned with just three wheels, meaning it's just as much a motorcycle as it is a car, and the driver and passenger sit in tandem style instead of side-by-side. This arrangement allows for a very thin 850mm width, which is about the same as a large motorcycle. Because the cockpit is enclosed, the occupants don't need helmets, nor are they open to the elements outside.
Also like a traditional two-wheeler, the i-ROAD tilts through the turns and when driving on uneven surfaces. Toyota says its computer-controlled Active Lean technology automatically balances the vehicle with no input from the driver.
Despite the automaker's expertise in hybrid drivetrains, the i-ROAD is a pure electric vehicle, and Toyota says it "believes in the feasibility of EVs to serve as a main mode of transport for short urban journeys." There's a two-kilowatt motor in each front wheel, meaning the i-ROAD offers up just over five horsepower, which isn't a lot but should be enough to get moving up to city traffic speeds (no performance specs are available).
An on-board lithium ion battery allows for a range of around 30 miles, after which the vehicle can be recharged in three hours using "a conventional domestic power supply." We're a little unsure of what Toyota means by that - using a 110-volt outlet or a 220-volt outlet, or perhaps a unique charger? - but you're welcome to see the press release yourself below, along with a video showing the leaning three-wheeler in action.Continue reading Toyota i-ROAD leans its way into the city [w/video] (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/toyota-i-road-leans-its-way-into-the-city-w-video/)
Toyota i-ROAD leans its way into the city [w/video] (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/toyota-i-road-leans-its-way-into-the-city-w-video/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/toyota-i-road-leans-its-way-into-the-city-w-video/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/20487694/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/toyota-i-road-leans-its-way-into-the-city-w-video/#comments)
More... (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/toyota-i-road-leans-its-way-into-the-city-w-video/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/toyota-i-road-concept-opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/toyota-i-road-concept-0/)
According to Toyota (http://autoblog.com/toyota/), the "i-ROAD (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/26/toyota-sizzle-reel-gives-better-look-at-i-road-geneva-concept/) takes the company closer to its goal of creating the ultimate range of eco cars." As you're surely aware, that range of eco cars includes the enormously successful Prius (http://autoblog.com/toyota/prius/) family, but this new machine is nothing like the hybrid hatchback. And it's not even a car - Toyota calls the i-ROAD a Personal Mobility Vehicle.
Toyota's i-ROAD Concept, which debuts at this week's Geneva Motor Show (http://www.autoblog.com/geneva-motor-show/), is adorned with just three wheels, meaning it's just as much a motorcycle as it is a car, and the driver and passenger sit in tandem style instead of side-by-side. This arrangement allows for a very thin 850mm width, which is about the same as a large motorcycle. Because the cockpit is enclosed, the occupants don't need helmets, nor are they open to the elements outside.
Also like a traditional two-wheeler, the i-ROAD tilts through the turns and when driving on uneven surfaces. Toyota says its computer-controlled Active Lean technology automatically balances the vehicle with no input from the driver.
Despite the automaker's expertise in hybrid drivetrains, the i-ROAD is a pure electric vehicle, and Toyota says it "believes in the feasibility of EVs to serve as a main mode of transport for short urban journeys." There's a two-kilowatt motor in each front wheel, meaning the i-ROAD offers up just over five horsepower, which isn't a lot but should be enough to get moving up to city traffic speeds (no performance specs are available).
An on-board lithium ion battery allows for a range of around 30 miles, after which the vehicle can be recharged in three hours using "a conventional domestic power supply." We're a little unsure of what Toyota means by that - using a 110-volt outlet or a 220-volt outlet, or perhaps a unique charger? - but you're welcome to see the press release yourself below, along with a video showing the leaning three-wheeler in action.Continue reading Toyota i-ROAD leans its way into the city [w/video] (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/toyota-i-road-leans-its-way-into-the-city-w-video/)
Toyota i-ROAD leans its way into the city [w/video] (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/toyota-i-road-leans-its-way-into-the-city-w-video/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/toyota-i-road-leans-its-way-into-the-city-w-video/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/20487694/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/toyota-i-road-leans-its-way-into-the-city-w-video/#comments)
More... (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/toyota-i-road-leans-its-way-into-the-city-w-video/)