The Toyota ME.WE isn't your typical Toyota concept car.
In fact, were it not for the word Toyota appearing at the top of this
page, you might have assumed the quirky little electric car was from
another maker entirely.
Toyota's concepts are often a lot more edgy and futuristic looking, like its Shanghai Auto Show exhibits.
By contrast, the ME.WE's boxy proportions, earthy color scheme and
simplistic interior appear to hark back to European beach cars of the
1960s, like the Mini Moke and Fiat Jolly.
There is, of course, more to the ME.WE than meets the eye. It's as
high-tech as any other Toyota concept, and almost certainly greener too.
It starts with the electric powertrain, using in-wheel motors
borrowed from the Toyota i-Road concept, and under-floor batteries as
seen in the Toyota and Scion iQ EV models.
With a motor for each wheel, the ME.WE offers the option of two or
four-wheel-drive, when required--without the weight penalty such a
system would usually demand. Lack of any intrusive drivetrain elements
also allows more of the car's volume to be used for interior space.
The tubular aluminum structure and polypropylene panels keep weight
to a minimum--just 1,653 pounds, only 31 lbs of which are the body
panels.
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