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Toyota evaluating i-Road for production
Quirky battery/electric trike to be subjected to French verification project in OctoberToyota's innovative i-Road has already passed its first real-world test with flying colours, but now the electric-powered, weatherproof, active-suspended three-wheeler is facing a new challenge – in Grenoble, France.
The i-Road, which we briefly drove late last year, is shaping up to be a production reality. It's been a long time in the making though, which is hard to comprehend when it provides the ease of use and manoeuvrability of a motorbike, with the all-weather protection of a car.
Toyota has built a dedicated website, featuring the i-Road in a host of different (mostly bright) colours. Based on this evidence, the i-Road looks at least half a chance to go into production – and it could be the 'killer app' of inner urban commuting if the manufacturer goes ahead with it.
In conversation with motoring.com.au, Mike Breen, manager of public relations at Toyota Australia, could not say whether the i-Road is likely to make it here. Before it is even considered for Australia, as he explained, it has to be accepted for production, which is "really a question for TMC [Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan]."
"TMC hasn't really disclosed that information yet."
"I think the trial will determine what they do next," he offered. That trial is the verification project in France, scheduled to take place in October. The i-Road is just one of a number of compact electric vehicles expected to take part in the project, and the Toyota has already been tested outside the confines of the manufacturer's laboratories and proving grounds. Members of the general public and automotive experts alike were invited to test 10 examples of the i-Road in an earlier verification project held in Tokyo back in March. According to the manufacturer the feedback was uniformly positive.
Looking further ahead, Breen questioned how the i-Road would fare complying with Australian Design Rules, in the event TMCA gets the go-ahead to sell it here.
That would depend on whether it's sold as a car or a bike, presumably...
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Written byKen Gratton
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If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
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