Toyota ME.WE concept – the ‘anti-crisis’ car arrives

Actually, it’s more of an “anti-excess” car, the Toyota ME.WE concept. The electric car study, developed by the automaker in collaboration with French architect and designer Jean-Marie Massaud, makes its debut at La Rendez-vous Toyota, the brand’s experience centre at the Champs Elysees in Paris.

The idea behind the ME.WE is simple – come up with a car that reflects a quest for change in personal mobility, focusing on the desire for freedom, pleasure, emotion and the ability to travel free from constraints, but by taking a different approach that is simpler, more appropriate and realistic, an alternative to cars that are about “passion and status.” In short, creating better while using less.

The result is the ME.WE, conceived as a springboard for a move from the culture of “more” to the culture of “better.” Its name is derived from the usual concern for personal well-being (ME), but also that of others (WE).

The 3.44 metre-long EV features a tubular aluminium structure, on to which light and hard-wearing polypropylene panels are fitted, reminiscent of the Smart fortwo. Weight is low thanks to the material choice, the car tipping the scales at 750 kg, 20% less than a conventional steel-built supermini. The body panels, which are 100% recyclable, weigh just 14 kg.

The electric drive system utilises the same four in-wheel motors as the Toyota i-ROAD (with selectable two- or four-wheel drive), with batteries located under the floor, as in the iQ EV, freeing up interior space for occupants. Luggage is carried on the roof beneath a fold-out, weatherproof neoprene cover, though if needed the rear luggage space can be extended into a platform, as that found in a pick-up.

The rear bench seat is mounted on floor rails, and when not in use can be folded and stored beneath the front seat. It can also be removed altogether and even used for ad-hoc picnic seating. Elsewhere, the car’s floor and cabin’s horizontal surfaces features the use of bamboo, which makes cleaning the ME.WE a doddle – you can wash the car inside and out, quite literally.

The instrumentation continues the simple approach, with a single screen above the steering wheel displaying vehicle speed, battery charge, journey information and navigation instructions, delivered via a smartphone, which can be mounted below the screen to further personalise the cabin environment with music and other apps as well as controlling the heating and AC, delivered through a low consumption heat pump and elecric seat heating.

To top it off, the ME.WE offers a cabriolet-like open air feel – all the windows can be opened, even the windscreen. Pertinence, synthesis and modernity, it’s all on call on this one.

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