European Union studies future cities say that rather than expansion of already vast metropolitan areas such as London and Paris, the continent will see an increase in built-up areas adjacent to existing cities of medium-density suburban pockets.
The new Toyota i-TRIL Concept at the 2017 Geneva motor show is claimed to explore “innovative aspects” of Toyota’s research environmentally- friendly mobility solutions. The 2017 Geneva i-Tril EV has so-called Active Lean technology where the body rolls but not the chassis.
Toyota says the concept represents a viable alternative to small A- and B-segment cars, other EVs, public transportation and motorcycles. A driving range of more than 200 km between charges is forecast. The new Toyota concept is capable of operating autonomously, but has been conceived “to provide such driving pleasure that owners will wish to drive themselves for most of the time.”
Driven by electric motor power and weighing 600 kg, the i-TRIL is 2,830 mm long and 1,460 mm high. It has 1,200 mm front and 600 mm rear track widths, with a hinge between the rear axle and cabin allowing the vehicle body and front tires to lean while the powered rear tires remain perpendicular to the road surface.
With the front wheels and fenders clearly separated from the main body shell to help the leaning of both the former and the latter, the cabin consists of a smooth, dark central mass with no belt-line or door handles. This is visually overlapped with a surface wrapping, which undergoes a transition between the body color it shares with the front wheel arches and the transparent cockpit glazing. In theory and design babble “emphasizing the powerful forward movement inherent in the i-TRIL’s silhouette.”
The gull wing doors are hinged on sloping A pillars to maximize the opening area and ease of cabin entry for the rear seat passengers Toyota says it requires no more opening room within a car parking space than conventional doors.
Using previous experience with Active Lean technology, Toyota’s engineers say that a lean angle of 10 degrees is “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 i-TRIL with a turning circle of just 4 meters (about that of the Toyota iQ), making it at home in congested urban streets, alleys and parking structures.
SMESTO Dwellers
The i-TRIL has been developed with a new type of customer – or at least acronym – in mind: a single, 30-50-year-old active female with two children and a “vibrant lifestyle. She lives in a SMESTO, that is a Small to MEdium Sized TOwn.
European Union studies on the future of cities have indicated that, rather than further expansion of already vast metropolitan areas such as London and Paris, the continent will see a steady increase in growth of built-up areas adjacent to existing cities of medium-density suburban pockets of development.
The number of urban areas, err SMESTOs, in Europe, of course, is already significant, and their inhabitants travel extensively to take children to school, shop, visit restaurants and socialize. As such, their sometimes difficult, stop-start mobility requirements are for small, agile and urban-friendly vehicles.
Relaxed Engagement
“Relaxed Engagement,” target customers were asked to sample a range of driving positions. They chose a slightly higher, yet relaxed and laid-back driving position, almost analogous to that of a go-kart, with good engagement of the steering module.
This latter is important, because the i-TRIL has no pedals, enabling the driver to stretch out their legs in comfort, and wear whatever style of footwear they choose without risk of losing control of the vehicle. The base of the driver’s seat features a central rib to offer a snug, highly-supportive fit for the occupant’s legs.
Steering, acceleration and braking are all via drive-by-wire technology. The i-TRIL is operated by left- and right-hand control nodes (in the manner of a computer mouse or game controller), which extend towards the driver’s hands beneath the stretch fabric covering the manual driving module.
During autonomous driving, the left- or right-hand instrument panel extremities automatically illuminate whenever the i-TRIL is about to enter a corner, letting all occupants know which way the cabin is about to lean.
There are no other controls or switchgear, and no driver’s instrument binnacle. In manual driving mode, a simple head-up display gives the driver all the information they need. A completely new approach to the Human Machine Interface (HMI) focuses on voice activation technology, communicating with the vehicle’s Artificial Intelligence for the control of multimedia and infotainment systems.
One-plus-Two Seating Layout
With its One-plus-Two seating layout, the i-TRIL has odd, but potentially effective interior space. 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 i-TRIL interior is said to allow the rear bench seat passengers to become more involved in the driving experience. “It brings the children very much closer to their mother, without interrupting her space.”
It also offers them with far greater forward visibility, uninterrupted by a front seat headrest immediately ahead of them. The front seat headrest is fixed to the roof of the vehicle, and pivots down into position when the i-TRIL is switched on. Children also have extensive legroom either side of the front driver’s seat. And there is, in fact, room for three adults on board.
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 swiveled 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 emphasize the width of the rear cabin space. In addition, the tread pattern to the Goodyear 19” front and 20” rear tires have 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.
