In at present’s SUV-obsessed world, Toyota has discovered a treatment for automotive weight problems: the FT-Me. It makes the iQ appear like an enormous by comparability—heck, it is even smaller than Japan’s kei automobiles. This oddly angular contraption is a pint-sized EV constructed for the city jungle. At lower than 2.5 meters (98.4 inches) lengthy, it is even shorter than the unique Good ForTwo. Toyota claims it is so tiny that it takes up solely half of a parking area.

The dinky electrical hatchback includes a photo voltaic roof that harnesses the solar’s power to juice the battery. On a sunny day, the FT-Me can acquire sufficient cost for 19 miles (30 kilometers) of vary. Nevertheless, Toyota has not disclosed the battery’s measurement or the automotive’s most vary. This Gundam-styled EV has a beneficiant greenhouse for such a small automotive, however we’re sure the quirky styling is not for everybody.

Picture by: Toyota

Toyota says the FT-Me has been engineered to be legally pushed by youngsters as younger as 14 in some European nations. That means a manufacturing model could be categorized as a quadricycle, very similar to Stellantis’ triplets: the Citroën Ami, Opel Rocks-e, and Fiat Topolino. In accordance with the European Union’s laws, these four-wheeled microcars should not exceed eight horsepower (six kilowatts) and 937 kilos (425 kilograms) in weight. Moreover, prime pace is proscribed to twenty-eight mph (45 km/h).

The FT-Me rides on 14-inch, vinyl-like wheels wrapped in skinny 185/60 R14 tires. It has among the shortest overhangs we’ve ever seen, together with aspect cameras as an alternative of typical mirrors. The headlights and taillights sit unusually excessive in relation to the physique and seemingly have an similar design. Though we talked about that the home windows are giant, it appears to be like as if solely a small part opens.

We’ll add inside photographs as soon as they turn into out there, however Toyota mentions that the FT-Me is designed to accommodate drivers with disabilities. It options hand controls on the steering wheel for acceleration and braking, eliminating the necessity for pedals. Consequently, the automotive requires no aftermarket modifications to be wheelchair-accessible. One other Japanese automaker, Mazda, has an identical strategy, engineering the Miata to be loved by folks in wheelchairs.

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Toyota hasn’t revealed whether or not it plans to promote the diminutive EV, however it brags about the way it’s much less dangerous to the atmosphere than the standard electrical automotive. The FT-Me consumes 3 times much less power per kilometer than a standard EV and has a 90% decrease carbon footprint by extensively utilizing recycled supplies. If it is coming to Europe, the mannequin will slot under the Aygo X, the smallest fuel automotive Toyota sells on the continent.