A futuristic, one-seat concept car “I-Unit†of Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. revealed its appearance in Tokyo, Japan yesterday. The company explained that the car is operated by a lithium ion battery and in its low speed mode, it can move in between people. On the high-speed mode, the driver’s seat can be reclined, and the low center of gravity makes handling operations stable, a key characteristic of the car. > Lithium Ion Concept Car
I think they have too much time on their hands for a few of the cars. They are cool and call.. but... not very practical. Even if they are.. they will never release them. What they really need is a full size truck hybrid. As long as it's as powerful as a Ford or GM truck.. and gets better than 20mpg.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(V8Cobrakid\";p=\"55334)</div> I agree...I've read several of the 'reviews/ads' for the Silverado/Sienna "hybrids" and just come away thinking..."They missed the boat". If they would have made those beasts into full hybrids getting 50% better fuel economy PLUS more torque, and more horsepower AND their AC outlet capacity was adequate for high drain use (which it currently is not) they would have had not only the Motor Trend Truck of the Year, but probably the best consumer truck ever built and a real tool for the construction workers and farmers who will really need and buy this kind of vehicle. Hell, even a $5000 premium with those kinds of numbers would've grabbed most buyers. Instead they hope to sell based on the marketing hype created by Toyota and Honda while actually doing essentially nothing to help anyone.
Actually I think such a strange vehicle could find a quite bit of use in the streets of Tokyo, Shanghai or Taipei. I have had people from work that have come back from Taipei tell of all the scooters running around there and bad air they create. This thing would be an upgrade from a scooter, but you could still pack 'em in on the road and have cleaner air to boot. (Also I gotta admit it does look right out of an anime, even the lady has anime hair. ) As for the truck thing goes, I'd have to think Toyota has a hybrid truck in the works just around the corner. They already have a larger motor ready with the Highlander, so it would be a relatively simple matter to drop that motor in a Tundra. I guess the one big issue also is where does one stuff the battery pack in a truck.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DanH\";p=\"55399)</div> I have ridden on the back of a moped/scooter in Taipei and feared for my life. Small cars could be useful in Europe as well... I just can't tell if this is serious or not. When I first saw the pictures I thought it was a "The Onion" type thing.
It's the real deal. (No Onion creation, that is.) I know I'd seen something about a similar concept drawing in a science magazine. Also snooping around on Toyota's Japan site I came by more infomation about this vehicle; http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/04/1203_1e.html If they ever do bring it to production it certainly would make a good option for a commuter vehicle in and around urban areas.
I think it's neurally linked to the driver. Downside is that you can never take it off. (Given your avatar, Victor, I think your cat can sympathize. )
Is ti just me or does the woman look almost scared? She seems to have that "I'm scared of this thing but I'm being paid to smile" expression. For short trips, I'll take a Segway with saddle bags. (No really, someone give me a Segway. Please?)
The Segway comes with saddle bags? Separately, or is there a whole Western motif that goes with it? I'd love to see a remake of Red River, except with Segways instead of horses.
[img=left:240430f0af]http://shop.segway.com/images/shop/lower_cargo_sm.jpg[/IMG]I did a stint on a warehouse automation software project a couple years ago and I bet I walked ten miles every day doing circles around that place. The walking wasn't my biggest issue but the time it took to get from place to place. It didn't help that I was way back in Receiving and just about everything was on the other end of the building. Oh how I wanted a Segway. So I started looking at them just for kicks. I like the idea of saddle bags for jaunts to the store or in the case of the warehouse, for folders of papers. Now I work in a multi-building campus. I would love to be able to keep Seggie in Priapus' hatch and ride around from meeting to meeting.
Actually, a 20 mpg truck does exist. I own one. 245 hp, 460 lb/ft of torque, and a 19,000 pound towing capacity. I've seen as high as 23.7 mpg out of my truck, doing nothing more than obeying the speed limit, and keeping to a maximum of 65 mph.
i know they exist.. i want toyota to release a hybrid truck. my family owns trucks. F350's to be exact. both diesel. they achieve 12 - 18mpg. I should make some biodiesel for them. Only problem being, they would expect it for free from me. I would charge them. Less than normal diesel of course.
Toyota will have a hybrid version of the Tacoma and Tundra trucks, as they will have to, to keep their word on a hybrid option throughout the entire prodcut line. They are however, going to have to get the system re-engineered for a RWD drivetrain.
I found this while browsing around "How Stuff Works": http://auto.howstuffworks.com/toyota-pm.htm Looks like the same car, but the article mentions a 2003 auto show. I would be more inclined to ride around in something like this than the one shown above if only for the enclosed cabin.
wow cool car... very cool. the link at howstuffworks.com is very imformative and as usual, when Toyota is concerned, there is a lot more than meets the eye when considering this car
