Making its world debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, and featuring Active Lean technology, the new Toyota i-TRIL concept represents a viable alternative to A and B segment cars, other EV products, public transport and motorcycles. Heralding a change in mindset for motorists, the Toyota i-TRIL is designed to be more than a mere commodity. Driven by Akio Toyoda's commitment to bring passion and driving pleasure to all future Toyota vehicles, it embraces the company's Waku Doki (a Japanese term translating as 'Beat of the Heart') philosophy to demonstrate that future EVs can still stimulate the senses and set the pulse racing. A different type of transport for those who still wish to have fun whilst driving even at slow speeds in the urban environment, it represents all the best elements of future mobility beyond mere eco-friendliness.
A new SMESTO-dwelling Customer The Toyota i-TRIL has been developed with a new type of customer in mind: a sophisticated, single, 30-50 year old active female with two children and a vibrant lifestyle. And she lives in a SMESTO (Small to Medium Sized TOwn)... European Union studies on the future of cities have suggested that, rather than further expansion of already vast metropolitan areas such as London and Paris, the continent will witness a steady increase in growth of built-up areas adjacent to existing cities, in the manner of medium-density suburban pockets of development. The number of such SMESTOs in Europe is already significant, and their inhabitants travel extensively to take children to school, shop, visit restaurants and socialise. As such, their sometimes difficult, stop-start mobility requirements are for small, agile and urban-friendly vehicles.
The robustness of the vehicle architecture and the added width of the rear cabin to accommodate a two-seat bench are reinforced from behind by the full-width combination lamp design above a clearly separate rear axle structure which incorporates the electric motor drive system. Using their previous experience with Active Lean technology, Toyota's engineers discovered that a lean angle of 10 degrees proves perfect in combining enhanced stability and grip, greater fun and driving pleasure, and less risk of passengers suffering from car sickness. Allied to 25 degrees of front wheel steering, this technology equips the Toyota i-TRIL with a turning circle of just 4 metres (similar to that of the Toyota iQ), making it not only highly engaging to drive at even modest speeds, but also very much at home in even the most congested urban environment. Aspiring an actual driving range of more than 200 km between charges, the new Toyota concept is capable of operating autonomously, but has been specifically conceived to provide such driving pleasure that owners will wish to drive themselves for the majority of the time.
One-plus-Two Seating Layout With its One-plus-Two seating layout, the i-TRIL redefines interior space and spaciousness. Current interior design philosophy hinges on everything being built around the driver, with rear seat passengers very much regarded as second class citizens. Allied to the vehicle's Active Lean technology, the Toyota i-TRIL interior allows the rear bench seat passengers to become much more involved in the driving experience. It brings the children very much closer to their mother, without actually interrupting her space. Careful consideration has been given to how the driver enters and exits the vehicle as easily as possible. When the cabin doors are opened, they remove a section of floor with them to narrow its footprint and make stepping out simpler, with a shorter stride. Moreover, the front seat may be swivelled through up to 20 degrees to allow the driver to both enter and leave the cabin more decorously.
The interior has been designed specifically to avoid an overtly automotive feel; rather, the alcantara trim, fabric rear bench seat upholstery and wooden floor finish -all made from recycled materials- offer occupants a more comfortable environment styled on a comfortable and exclusive living space in the home. The ribbed texture of the rear bench seat fabric radiates outwards to emphasise the width of the rear cabin space. In addition, the tread pattern to the Goodyear 19" front and 20" rear tyres has been exclusively cut to match the design of the interior trim. Despite its clear separation from front (Me Time) to rear (Kids Happy), the interior space is still unified by the overlapping of the front alcantara and rear bench fabric upholstery, and by the ducting system which distributes ventilation airflow.
