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Innovation
No2:
By saving
space under the bonnet, Toyota has been able to achieve
exceptional room inside iQ, creating a car that is less than
three metres long, yet has four seats on board. Using a centre
take-off steering gear for the Electric Power Steering (EPS), a
first for a Toyota vehicle, is a key element in achieving this
ultra-compact design.
On
conventional rack and pinion steering systems, like those used
in the Toyota Aygo and Yaris, the tie rods are connected to each
end of the steering rack, while on a centre take-off system they
are connected to the centre.
This
configuration allowed Toyota to position the system above rather
than below the engine and further back towards the bulkhead,
reducing the car’s front overhang. The result is a smaller
engine compartment and more cabin space.
Coming next:
Innovation No3 – the flat, under-floor fuel tank. |
