Toyota i-Road consumer trials begin

Toyota rocked the automotive world when it revealed their two-seater, three-wheeled, i-Road, a personal mobility vehicle (PMV) at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show last year. The Japanese automaker planned to target people who wanted a comfortable vehicle, with better weather protection, safer than a scooter or motorcycle, but with similar benefits of low running costs, easy parking and maneuverability.

The automaker has now begun consumer testing of the i-Road in the Greater Tokyo Area, from March 24, and will continue to do the the same till the end of June. Toyota hopes to gauge the effectiveness of the new electric vehicle in everyday urban situations through this testing. Since its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show last year, the i-Road has improved visibility and maneuverability and is easier to use. Its compact, slim shape and 300kg kerb weight makes the i-Road comfortable to be handled in traffic as a scooter, with car-like stability due to its three-wheel configuration, and a leaning attitude while cornering. Toyota has also added a hue of colours to the exteriors of the i-Road which may make it a hit among public.

Toyota will hand out 10 vehicles to 20 participants including both the industry experts as well as the general public. The Japanese automaker will be looking for feedback related to driving feel, user satisfaction, impact on destination choices, and how easy it is to use. Toyota plans to continue its research into these ultra-compact vehicles in the Toyota city. These vehicles are recently introduced there as a part of experimental Ha:mo low carbon urban transport project. i-Road’s two-seater model will come to Europe this year to take part in a vehicle sharing programme in the French city of Grenoble.