According to Toyota, the "i-ROAD takes the company closer to its goal of creating the ultimate range of eco cars." Also according to Toyota the i-ROAD is a Personal Mobility Vehicle, not a car, not even a scooter. 

The driver and the pillion sit in tandem (motorcycle) style instead of side-by-side. This arrangement allows for a width of 0.850 m, (that is something between a Piaggio MP3 300 LT and a Bmw K1300S) which is about the same as a large motorcycle. The width of the Renault Twizy is 1.19 m (4 ft) and the width of a 2013 Smart fortwo is 1.559 m, (5.11 ft). 

Because the cockpit is enclosed, the occupants don't need helmets, nor are they open to the elements outside. Toyota says its computer-controlled Active Lean technology automatically balances the vehicle with no input from the driver. 

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”. 

 Thus its not an MP3, or a Quadro or a Fuoco. It¢s an urban three-wheeler which will not set any roads on fire, although it will make the Smart ForTwo seem …big. It will be significant to see some specifications concerning weight, top speed, acceleration and underseat storage space. 



Renault Twizy




Smart ForTwo