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.

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.

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.

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.

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.