Toyota just teased a new electric concept car ahead of the Geneva Motor Show

pulse

February 21, 2017 3:21 PM

The concept could shed some lights on where Toyota hopes to stand in the electric car space.

Toyota's teaser shot of the i-TRIL concept.

The Geneva Motor Show is rapidly approaching and Toyota already gave us a glimpse of what it plans to show.

Toyota released a teaser photo of a brand new electric vehicle concept, the i-TRIL concept, on Monday. Toyota said the concept is meant to showcase the automaker's research into "more engaging environmentally-friendly mobility solutions" in a press release.

The vehicle will feature a one-plus-two seating layout, meaning there is one seat up front and two in the back, making it more like a motorcycle with additional room for passengers. Toyota said the concept is meant as a "viable alternative" to traditional segment cars and motorcycles for those looking to drive in urban environments.

Toyota said the concept will also feature its Active Lean technology that we first saw in the automaker's i-Road concept — a compact electric vehicle designed for city driving.

Toyota's Active Lean is meant to improve maneuverability in two-wheelers by automatically moving the wheels up or down so the driver can turn without falling over.

Both the i-Road and future i-TRIL concept highlight Toyota's commitment to compact electric vehicles. Since 2014, Toyota has been working on using the vehicles as last-mile transit solutions that work in conjunction with public transportation.

The i-TRIL concept was designed by Toyota Motor Europe and the company's design studio, ED², which is based in Nice. The Geneva Motor Show runs March 9-19.

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