Asians wouldn't kill me with Hi-Tech o!!
Compact, narrow two-seaters that combine the
agility of a motorcycle with the protection of the elements of a car are
the new niche automotive manufacturers have discovered. After Renault’s
Twizzy, Toyota today unveiled its own take in this new form of
transportation in the form of the i-ROAD concept that will debut tomorrow in the 83rd Geneva Auto Show.
Like the Twizzy,
it seats two in tandem but, unlike the Renault, it features one rear
wheel instead of two, making it a three-wheeler that leans into corners
like a motorbike. Toyota’s
Personal Mobility Vehicle (PMV) is controlled by a conventional
steering wheel and the “Active Lean” technology that automatically
balances the vehicle when cornering or going over rough surfaces based
on the steering angle, vehicle speed and a gyro-sensor.
The
i-ROAD is 2,350 mm long, 1,445 mm high and rides on a 1,700 mm
wheelbase. Toyota says that its 850 mm width makes it no wider than a
typical motorcycle, thus offering great maneuvering in traffic, easier
parking and a minimum turning circle of just three meters.
The
Japanese carmaker’s PMV is powered by two 2kW motors mounted on the
front wheels. The typical driving range is around 50 km (30 miles) and
the battery can be fully charged from a domestic power source in three
hours – plus, being an EV, it has zero emissions.
In
spite of being as narrow as a motorbike, the i-ROAD requires no helmet
or special skills – just a regular car license. It is designed to be
fitted with a weatherproof closed body and can offer a car-like
environment with features such as interior lighting, heating, an audio
system and Bluetooth connectivity.
SOURCE - CARSCOOP
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