Toyota i-Road Concept Unveiled at Geneva – It's a Strange One

From the moment we’d originally previewed the Toyota i-Road, we knew it would be something different. Just how different though – how revolutionary – I don’t think any of us could’ve guessed.

I think it’s safe to say that the Toyota i-Road impressed everyone who saw it at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. Toyota didn’t just bring a show car, they brought something functional. It was featured on a small track with hourly driving demonstrations, so competing executives and curious journalists alike got a piece of the little concept gliding through turns and swerves with effortless ease.

Unfortunately, while it’s certainly fascinating to behold the Toyota i-Road leaning through turns in perfect balance (check out the video), we still don’t have all that much information about the car itself. Nor do we know when we might expect a production model.

Here’s what we do know about the Toyota i-Road Concept from the information gained through the Geneva Motor Show and the accompanying press material:

First, the Active Lean technology in combination with an 850mm wheelbase (that’s less than 3 feet wide!) means that this little motorcycle-esque vehicle is perfectly suited for city driving. Apparently you can “park four of the new Toyota PMVs in a single car parking bay,” which should give you a hint of this car’s size. Especially in non-US cities where the roads are traditionally narrower and often more curvy, the i-Road will thrive.

Second, the goal of the i-Road is to “reduce energy consumption and the environmental burden attached to transportation,” specifically in urban areas. As is clear in the video, Toyota envisions charging stations as a part of everyday city-driving, so the 30 mile radius won’t seem nearly so nerve-wracking.

The press release hints that Toyota’s initial inspiration for the i-Road was to combine the efficiency and convenience of motorcycles and mopeds with the safety and comfort of a car and closed body. Clearly, they’re very proud of their Active Lean technology, which is what’s allowed them to create such a narrow wheelbase without sacrificing stability. According to the press release, the “system features a lean actuator motor and gearing mounted above the front suspension member, linked via a yoke to the right and left front wheels. An ECU calculates the required lean based on steering angle, gyro-sensor and vehicle speed information.”

Sounds pretty complicated, but in practice it looks incredibly smooth and intuitive. I’m a little jealous that I won’t get a chance to drive one for a long time (probably), and I’m sure I’m not the only one that feels that way.

All in all, I think it’s safe to say that the Toyota i-Road concept lived up to the hype and more. It’s definitely strange, but I think it’s a good strange. An intriguing strange.

Stay tuned for further updates on this innovative concept from the biggest Japanese car brand in the world – You’ll get ‘em as soon as we do.

Source: Autoblog Green