Toyota i-ROAD concept

Automakers increasingly are turning to electric vehicles to offer buyers zero-emissions mobility, but four-wheeled EVs can be heavy and expensive, and they can’t slice through urban centers any better than regular cars. Toyota thinks it has a solution, and it’s called the i-ROAD. The small, three-wheeled electric-powered concept is something of a cross between a car, a motorcycle, and a fancy golf cart, and Toyota refers to it as a personal mobility vehicle.

i-ROAD Is i-Clever

On paper, the i-ROAD might not seem as cool as conventionally powered three-wheelers such as Morgan’s 3-Wheeler, but it’s actually quite innovative. The i-ROAD seats two passengers in tandem to keep the body as narrow as possible; it measures just 33.5 inches wide, 56.9 inches high, and 92.5 inches long. That’s just a bit more than half the width of a Smart Fortwo Electric Drive, and Toyota claims that the i-ROAD is no wider than a two-wheeler. Toyota must be referring to some of the beefier bikes, but either way, the concept is skinny.

Besides offering hypothetical urban customers a tight, motorcycle-like footprint, the i-ROAD also gives them protection from the elements. Featuring a fully enclosed body—bettering BMW’s odd C1 scooter, which had only a roof panel—the i-ROAD makes a far better foul-weather proposition than a regular motorcycle or even the Morgan or Can-Am Spyder. Toyota says that because the i-ROAD’s passenger cell is fully enclosed, no helmet is necessary—a critical point for the hair-style sensitive. The closed body also means the driver cannot stick his or her foot out to steady the i-ROAD when at rest, so Toyota gave the concept a trick front-wheel setup that keeps it upright without human help.

Toyota calls the i-ROAD’s self-righting front-wheel gadgetry Active Lean technology, and it consists of a geared actuator affixed to each front wheel’s suspension arm. A computer manages the degree of lean of each front wheel—as the angle of lean of one wheel increases, the other lowers by the same amount—using steering angle, a gyroscope, and vehicle speed to induce lean in corners or keep the i-ROAD steady at low speeds. The system also can filter out potentially balance-upsetting road imperfections when traveling in a straight line. The i-ROAD is steered using a squircle-shaped steering wheel rather than a set of handlebars.

i-ROAD, Therefore i-Zero Emissions

If you thought the i-ROAD’s front-wheel setup couldn’t get any more involving or interesting—from a technical standpoint, at least—prepare to be further wowed. The i-ROAD is actually front-wheel drive, and no power goes to the rear wheel. Each front wheel features a 2.7-hp in- hub electric motor powered by a shared lithium-ion battery that offers a claimed driving range of 30 miles. Toyota says battery top-offs take just three hours when fed by a “conventional domestic power supply,” but doesn’t indicate which domestic power standard—Japanese, European, or U.S.—is being cited.

There aren’t many exciting electric cars out there right now—excepting Tesla’s quick and attractive Model S—but we’re genuinely tickled by this Toyota concept. It looks cool, and we’re inclined to believe Toyota’s press-release hyperbole regarding the i-ROAD’s “unique driving experience.” We foresee the i-ROAD having far more success in Europe and Japan than here, though, if it ever were to go into production, thanks to the variously tight parking conditions, congested urban centers, and strict emissions regulations. Too bad. Because while the i-ROAD has one less wheel than a Prius, it’s at least three times more interesting.

Article source : Revealed: Toyota i-Road concept

Concept Cars : Citroen Survolt Concept, Pininfarina Sintesi, Bugatti Aerolithe and Cadillac Sixteen Concept Car

01. Citroen Survolt Concept

What began as an exploration of extraordinary electric vehicles with the Revolte Concept Car now continues through the Citroen Survolt Concept. The perfect mélange of glamour, extravagance and motor-racing spice, it transcends norms and protocol to deliver passion in an all-new revolutionary way.

02. Pininfarina Sintesi

The Pininfarina Sintesi was designed by Pininfarina and developed using an interesting and innovative approach. It introduces the novel concepts of 'Liquid Packaging' and 'Transparent Mobility'. Liquid packaging is the concept of adding the fuel cells and motors in each wheel, while Transparent Mobility refers to futuristic communication systems where such a car may exchange information with other vehicles on the road through wireless technology. Indeed, a car with progressive thought behind a mean looking exterior!

03.Bugatti Aerolithe

The Bugatti Aerolithe Concept reeks of exclusivity. Intended to be a design study of a futuristic 2025 sports model, this concept has been inspired by the legendary1935 Bugatti Electron Aerolithe prototype, and designed by Douglas Hogg.

04. Cadillac Sixteen Concept Car

The Cadillac Sixteen Concept car is all about power, and a surprising gentle grace. In fact, the name derives from its 16-cylinder and 1000-horsepower engine. This concept makes its presence felt in a literally huge, bold and unparalleled way, and boasting equally meticulous interiors. The design exudes drama and its aura is breathtakingly striking.

Concept Cars : Cadillac World Thorium Fuel Concept, Bertone Mantide Concept Car and Chanel Fiole Concept Car

01. Cadillac World Thorium Fuel Concept

This concept has been nicknamed the WTF, and quite rightly so, since it literally takes your breath away! Designed by Lorus Kulesus for the 100th anniversary of Cadillac, the car uses extremely high quality materials that will resist even 100 years of usage without maintenance. It has 24 wheels placed in groups of 6, which however, need adjusting every 5 years.

02. Bertone Mantide Concept Car

Combine dizzying speeds, sheer beauty and stunning sensuality, and what you get is the Bertone Mantide Concept. Its designdraws inspiration from both, the world of Formula One and from modern aerospace. The machine boasts cutting edge aerodynamic performance, greater efficiency and lower fuel consumption, the ultimate icing on the cake!

03.Chanel Fiole Concept Car

The Chanel Fiole presents the best of black and white, and in keeping with classis Coco Chanel offerings, fit for the runway. A car designer at the Hong-jk University, Jinyoung Jo, designed this simple, yet fabulous creation.

Concept Cars : Audi Calamaro, BMW ZX-6 and BMW GINA

If you have ever wondered what cars might look like in the future, this might just be it! We all love a good-looking, mean machine allowing us that sheer thrill of speed! Concept cars are a mélange of everything you've hoped to see in a car, and much, much more! Defying convention, defying imagination and even defying gravity, we bring you the top 10 concept cars for you to gaze at, dream about and drool over!

01. Audi Calamaro

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It's a super car!

Somewhat of a cross between a car and a plane, designer Tibor developed the Audi Calamaro Concept Car for a design competition organized by Porsche Hungary. The bone of a cuttlefish inspired this interesting shape, he says. Of course, we eagerly wait to see what could possibly power this machine, seeing it does lack tires, or propellers or thrusters of any sort.

02. BMW ZX-6

'Unbelievable' is the word that comes to mind, but we'll just have to wait and watch!

Designed by the 3rd year students of Transportation Design School at Turin Based Istituto Europeo di Design for their final project on Transportation Design in partnership with BMW, this concept focuses on individualistic tastes and modern requirements.

03. BMW GINA

BMW GINA could be the next rebel in automobile history. It challenges existing principles and conventional processes and looks wildly awesome, all at the same time!

A team led by Chris Bangle, BMW's head of design, designed this fabric-skinned shape-shifting sports car, which inspires nothing short of awe. GINA is an acronym for ' Geometry and functions In 'N' Adaptations'.

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