Toyota i-TRIL: the electric three-seat urban concept will be presented in Geneva

Toyota will present its new 100% electric urban prototype at the Geneva Motor Show. The i-TRIL is based on the i-ROAD concept.

Toyota has unveiled a teaser image showing the brand’s latest urban concept and 100% electric model: the i-TRIL. This city car offers three seats and an electric motor similar to that of the Renault Twizy. The zero-emission city car will be presented at the Geneva Motor Show alongside the renewed Toyota Yaris and the radical Yaris GRMN.

The image that Toyota has released of the i-TRIL concept barely shows its design; only a small front grille and headlights with LED technology can be seen. We expect the urban vehicle to take the reduced proportions of the i-ROAD concept (a proposal by Toyota to rival the Renault Twizy), since the Japanese manufacturer has confirmed that the i-TRIL will offer three seats in a 1 + 2 layout.

“The i-TRIL showcases the research innovations with which Toyota seeks to offer more efficient and environmentally friendly mobility. This city car features the same ‘Active Lean’ technology used in the i-ROAD concept,” the company states.

The i-TRIL has been designed to be fun to drive at low speeds. Its powertrain will be quite similar to that of the Renault Twizy; the French city car offers an electric motor of 5 or 11 CV, depending on the version chosen. The top speed of this model will be around 50 km/h. As with the i-ROAD concept, the i-TRIL is expected to use lightweight materials in its construction to achieve an acceptable power-to-weight ratio given the low power offered by the urban concept. Beyond these details there is not much more information available. We will have to wait until next March to see the final image of this prototype, which will be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.