Toyota Introduces New I-Real Concept Car

The Tokyo Motor Show means one thing to Japanese car manufacturers, bring out the freaky pod cars. This year is no exception for Toyota.

The I-Real concept car from Toyota is a project the company has been working on since 2005 and is a natural progression on from the manufacturer’s I-Unit. The I-Real, one-seater car is an upright, chair-like affair made from made from lightweight carbon fibre reinforced plastic. Toyota have ditched the steering wheel idea and instead have controls in the arm rests. It also comes with a convenient little compartment under the chair for your handbag.

The car has an adjustable wheelbase which shrinks in areas where there are pedestrians who are making good use of their legs and widens automatically for when you need to go a little faster. Like the I-Unit, it boasts a recline setting for when you’re in a hurry and need to travel at “high” speeds. Unfortunately the car can’t necessarily haul ass and get you somewhere fast as it only has a max speed of 18.6mph.

In short, it’s not very fast, it’s not very pretty and like the Segway, it’s a little embarrassing. On the plus side, with a max speed that low, and even in the wrong hands it would be hard to do anyone damage in it, you could probably even drink and drive.