We drive Toyota’s LEANING iRoad which has all the benefits of a motorbike crossed with a car

WHAT happens if a Prius falls in love with a Yamaha?

You end up with this . . . the Toyota iRoad.

6

It has all the benefits of a motorbike (agile, easy to park, pennies to run) crossed with the comfort of a car (enclosed cabin, heating, steering wheel).

Yet, unlike a bike, it’s not trying to fall over every time you stop. And you don’t get wet feet. The iRoad is a tilting, rear-steer, electric three-wheeler — and it’s an absolute giggle to drive.

Turn for a corner and it leans like a two-wheeled bike, lifting the inside front wheel. Straighten the steering wheel and it stands up again.

6

6

MOST READ IN MOTORS

CHAMPAGNE VAUXHALL NOVA

Liam Gallagher's RARE Bristol 603 set for huge sum at auction

PAY UP

Warning over HUGE car tax hike for millions as rule change rolled out in just weeks

VERY N-ICE

Watch Porsche break ANOTHER record as Taycan drifts for 10 miles on ice track

MIC DROP

Rare drophead coupe once owned by classic car icon could be yours for £1.2M

Now I tried to be all sensible and professional testing this 28mph prototype at the Shell Eco-marathon at London’s Olympic park — but after about a nano-second that was never going to happen.

It’s too much fun. I was weaving about like Tiger Woods on a Monday morning.

You can fit four in a normal parking space

And because the wheels form the shape of a triangle looking down from above (two wheels at the front, one at the back) it won’t topple over.

6

6

Other observations. The iRoad uses the rear wheel to steer like a forklift. It has a tiny three-metre turning circle.

You can fit four in a normal parking space.
You don’t need to wear a crash helmet.

All the controls are familiar to car drivers. Just press D for Drive or R for Reverse and you’re off.

It has two seats, seatbelts, flexible doors, pull-up plastic windows, indicators, wipers — even a USB port for your phone.

6

Toyota is testing 35 iRoads in Grenoble, France, where punters hire them like “Boris Bikes” at three euros for 15 minutes.

They have a 30-mile range and take three hours to recharge.

Bosses have yet to decide whether to make more and sell them to the public but I say: Duh, YES!!! Get a shift on.

And bring them here.

VERDICT: Zero emissions, 100 per cent fun.