I-road...

[Rob Croson]

I bet it would be fun to drive. But I just can't imagine a possible use case for me for that, other than a pleasure drive. But at that price, no way I could justify it.

 

[Rickb]

I think it's going to be a long time before these get certification to be sold in the U.S.
With a rumored sticker price of 10k - 12k, who in developing countries is going to be able to afford them?
I estimate that at the max speed of 37mph, the range would probably drop from 31 miles to about 20 miles.
Demographics? It appears that even the Elio is having a hard time appealing to young U.S. urban commuters.

I am all about getting the most bang for the buck. I live 5.5 miles from work.
None of the speed limits on the streets or roads on the way to work exceed 40mph.
Most of my errands are on the same roads.

I seriously doubt that my place of work would let me plug in to their outlets.
I seriously doubt that my place of work would let me park close enough to plug in.
I would have to make sure that I plugged the I-Road in at home every day.

I'm 62 years old. I've described my own demographics.
I've described young commuters' apparent lack of attraction to new 3-wheelers.
And the Elio is even an inexpensive 3-wheeler with full contemporary automobile features!
There are 50cc scooters that put out close to 5 horses.

There is just no way that the I-Road is a good deal and MHO is that...

At that price, without major upgrading, these things will fight an uphill battle.

OK then. It really isn't a debate and I repect your view. You are not the target market, but I am. Toyota can make it happen if their current testing, price point, and market demographics demand it. It's not like Toyota Global doesn't have the engineering/design/marketing team, funding, and lack production facilities to make it happen. I'm pretty certain this vehicle will be a production run vehicle, uncertain if Toyota will release it in the USA market. I hope so.
Note: It's an autoscooter so registration & licensing not an issue. Speed (50 mph ideal) and Range could increase on the final production model. Young commuters loved the fun to drive i-road commuter and how it functioned in Toyota's daily use testing program.

 

[Rickb]

Hands down, I think our ELIO has more safety features!

Toyota is a big player so time will tell on the final engineering specs, safety features, and crash testing results. Although you are probably correct on the Elio's safety edge.

 

[Elio Amazed]

OK then. It really isn't a debate and I repect your view. You are not the target market, but I am. Toyota can make it happen if their current testing, price point, and market demographics demand it. It's not like Toyota Global doesn't have the engineering/design/marketing team, funding, and lack production facilities to make it happen. I'm pretty certain this vehicle will be a production run vehicle, uncertain if Toyota will release it in the USA market. I hope so.
Note: It's an autoscooter so registration & licensing not an issue. Speed (50 mph ideal) and Range could increase on the final production model. Young commuters loved the fun to drive i-road commuter and how it functioned in Toyota's daily use testing program.

Good enough.

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

Less than 40 mph, 30 mile range, proprietary parts AND special tires...
for only $10-12k?!

Wow! Where do I sign?!

Forget it Paul! It's over!
Your $6800 car that goes over 100mph with 672 mile range using normal parts is no match for this perfect machine!

Close up shop....

 

[John Painter]

With the Northeast's potholes, I think this will be called the i-RockyRoad in that region.

I agree. Though I have deeper concerns with the ever more technology integrated vehicle. I don't mind periodically if I crash my iPhone, I do not ever want to be in a situation where a vehicle I'm in crashes for for similar reasons, or someone decides they want to digitally hijack my car. Luckily we've not had too much problems with this yet, but the time is coming when one will be driving their vehicle along it starts to run irregularly and "luckily" Smitty's iPhone and Auto repair shop will be close by that happens to have the patch/antivirus/fix for the problem. Imagine that.

 

[Sethodine]

My only beef with the i-Road....

Why does it have two doors? That seems a bit excessive for what is essentially a weather-proof scooter.

Being electric, I can actually see these being used indoors by mall security, parking garage attendants, and on sidewalks of sprawling suburban outlet malls. When you stop thinking of it as competition with the Elio (because it's not) and start thinking of it as competition with the Scooter market, then it makes a lot of sense for anybody willing to pony up the cash.

 

[WilliamH]

I agree. Though I have deeper concerns with the ever more technology integrated vehicle. I don't mind periodically if I crash my iPhone, I do not ever want to be in a situation where a vehicle I'm in crashes for for similar reasons, or someone decides they want to digitally hijack my car. Luckily we've not had too much problems with this yet, but the time is coming when one will be driving their vehicle along it starts to run irregularly and "luckily" Smitty's iPhone and Auto repair shop will be close by that happens to have the patch/antivirus/fix for the problem. Imagine that.

With the amount of computerized 'safety' crap they keep shoving at us it could bring an entirely new and terrifying meaning to that old favorite "Blue Screen of Death"!

 

[Rickb]

Less than 40 mph, 30 mile range, proprietary parts AND special tires...
for only $10-12k?!

Wow! Where do I sign?!

Forget it Paul! It's over!
Your $6800 car that goes over 100mph with 672 mile range using normal parts is no match for this perfect machine!

Close up shop....

It's competing with the Elio only in the URBAN commuter market. I would prefer the I-Road's fun driving experience in my around town driving and buy the Elio as a driveable range extender for suburban commutes and longer drives.

No reason to be anti-i-Road EV or anti-Elio ICE....................... there is a compelling market for both.

 

[Rickb]

My only beef with the i-Road....

Why does it have two doors? That seems a bit excessive for what is essentially a weather-proof scooter.

Being electric, I can actually see these being used indoors by mall security, parking garage attendants, and on sidewalks of sprawling suburban outlet malls. When you stop thinking of it as competition with the Elio (because it's not) and start thinking of it as competition with the Scooter market, then it makes a lot of sense for anybody willing to pony up the cash.

I'm guessing Toyota has designed the I-Road with two doors primarily for safety followed by convenience. I would prefer the Elio had two doors.

Toyota did an indoor Capital Building Congressional ride and drive event in D.C. a few months ago. The Senators looked to have a blast test driving the i-Road in the hall outside the Senate Chambers.