I Road In The News Again

[Rickb]

It looks like a blast to drive. I'd love to try one. However, I have essentially no use for one. Just about the only place I drive alone is an 84-mile round-trip to work, mostly on highways of one form or another. Stuff like this, though, looks fun enough to make me wish I had a use for it.

The Elio is going to be a fun ride too. I hope to be able to buy both vehicles one day soon.

 

[RUCRAYZE]

If the Toyota can be parked like a bike on city streets, that'll be one up on the Elio, and for city driving here in Seattle I'll be perfect, I can easily stay off the interstate, and looks like a killer ride!
Didn't know they were testing the U S market, thought it was only in Japan

 

[RUCRAYZE]

"To answer the big question regarding when the i-Road will become available in the United States, all signs point to soon. The US market space is too big for Toyota to avoid altogether, but it’s unlikely they will bring it here unless there is real interest. There is no word how much the i-Road will cost or which market regions will be targeted. Notoriously dense and awful-to-drive-in cities like Boston, San Francisco and New York all make sense. But only time will tell. We will keep you posted."
Dave Cava's Toyota World

 

[floydv]

The i-Road demographic in the USA is geared specifically to the big city high traffic congested markets. The auto scooter EV would be blast to drive, FUNctional commuter in my personal downtown/city living environment.

One factor that potentially lessens that targeting is that big cities in the US are designed around the grid model, with many streets built at right angles to each other. This would seem to reduce the fun factor of leaning into curves except at the street corners, at which you'd need to slow down for traffic lights and pedestrians, further reducing the fun factor.

European cities and roads tend to follow natural geographical features and therefore have more opportunities to make use of that fun leaning aspect, as clearly shown in that video. But I can see the i-Road being the next-gen Car2Go or Zipcar in big US cities.

 

[Sethodine]

Reading about the i-Road has gotten me thinking and doing research on LSVs / NEVs (Low Speed Vehicles and Neighborhood Electric Vehicles). Basically, from what I can tell, the only difference between an LSV and the i-Road is that the latter doesn't have enough wheels.

To clarify: LSVs are low-speed vehicles permitted to operate on public roadways with a posted speed of 35 mph or less. A vehicle is an LSV if:

• They are able to get to 20 mph within 1 mile on level ground, and cannot go faster than 25 mph.
• They have four wheels.
• They have a VIN, seatbelts, head/tail lights, turn signals, reflectors, at least 1 mirror and 1 brake light.
• A windshield is not required, but a helmet must be worn if a windshield is not present.
  
• They are not required to undergo crash testing
• They are not required to use DOT-approved tires
• They do not need airbags, ABS, or any other car safety equipment aside from the aforementioned.

Basically, an LSV is a fast golf cart with lights and seatbelts. They may even have either automotive windshields or golf-ball resistant polycarbonate.

While the i-Road is a stunning and exciting vehicle, it's raw capabilities are outmatched in performance and cost by LSVs currently on the market. In a few states (such as Washington) a private individual can even modify an LSV to go up to 35 mph (these are classified as Medium Speed Vehicles in this state, or MSVs). There are even electric LSVs available (known as NEVs, although NEVs can also include trikes--which are not covered under LSV law, but as motorcycles or motor-driven-cycles).

 

[Rickb]

Reading about the i-Road has gotten me thinking and doing research on LSVs / NEVs (Low Speed Vehicles and Neighborhood Electric Vehicles). Basically, from what I can tell, the only difference between an LSV and the i-Road is that the latter doesn't have enough wheels.

To clarify: LSVs are low-speed vehicles permitted to operate on public roadways with a posted speed of 35 mph or less. A vehicle is an LSV if:

• They are able to get to 20 mph within 1 mile on level ground, and cannot go faster than 25 mph.
• They have four wheels.
• They have a VIN, seatbelts, head/tail lights, turn signals, reflectors, at least 1 mirror and 1 brake light.
• A windshield is not required, but a helmet must be worn if a windshield is not present.
  
• They are not required to undergo crash testing
• They are not required to use DOT-approved tires
• They do not need airbags, ABS, or any other car safety equipment aside from the aforementioned.

Basically, an LSV is a fast golf cart with lights and seatbelts. They may even have either automotive windshields or golf-ball resistant polycarbonate.

While the i-Road is a stunning and exciting vehicle, it's raw capabilities are outmatched in performance and cost by LSVs currently on the market. In a few states (such as Washington) a private individual can even modify an LSV to go up to 35 mph (these are classified as Medium Speed Vehicles in this state, or MSVs). There are even electric LSVs available (known as NEVs, although NEVs can also include trikes--which are not covered under LSV law, but as motorcycles or motor-driven-cycles).

Toyota is thinking too since they already manufacture the COMS EV. Toyota is attempting to add a little driving excitement to their model lineup with their I-Road Concept.

 

[Sethodine]

Toyota is thinking too since they already manufacture the COMS EV. Toyota is attempting to add a little driving excitement to their model lineup with their I-Road Concept.
View attachment 8763

Cool, I hadn't realized they already produced a four-wheel NEV. And don't get me wrong, I still think the style and excitement of the i-Road are worth it. The sleek lines and single headlamp remind me of those amazing steam engines from the Art Deco period--in fact, if I were to buy an i-Road I would want it flat black with brass or silver trim

 

[Coss]

Those are so cool; back in a time that they actually put styling into what is usually just a big machine on wheels.
I had seen the top photo before; but don't remember ever seeing the engine in the 2nd photo; what a beautiful steam locomotive.
Thanks for posting that.

 

[Rob Croson]

Love those trains. Steam engines are awesome.

 

[BigWarpGuy]

Toyota is thinking too since they already manufacture the COMS EV. Toyota is attempting to add a little driving excitement to their model lineup with their I-Road Concept.
View attachment 8763

It reminds me of the Renault Twizy. They both are nice looking.