+ Click to Enlarge SCHIZOID SCOOTER: From this angle it looks like a car but it's only one seat wide and leans into corners like a motorcycle! Pictures: LES STEPHENSON

October 19, 2005

Tokyo, Japan – It has three wheels and you steer it with a wheel like a car - but you lean it into corners like a motorcycle. This is the centrepiece on the Tokyo motor show stand of Japanese design and development company Phiaro.

Simply called the 3 Wheeler, it has a turbocharged 659cc, four-cylinder engine between the two rear wheels that kicks out 50kW at 6000rpm – enough to take this sleek prototype to 185 km/h with two (very brave) people sitting tandem inside.

The main body has a swivel joint allowing it to lean to 45 degrees (watch the video) while the two rear wheels stay in contact with the road; below 10km/h the hinge locks up and the vehicle will stand by itself when stopped.

Phiaro insists that this is a fully working prototype, not a concept mock-up, although it has no plans to put the 3 Wheeler into production.

Specifications:

Motor: Liquid-cooled four-stroke transverse turbocharged four with intercooler.
Capacity: 659cc.
Valvegear: DOHC with four overhead valves per cylinder.
Power: 50kW at 6000rpm.
Torque: 100Nm at 3200rpm.
Starting: Electric.
Transmission: Five-speed manual and reverse gearbox.
Brakes: Discs all round.
Tyres: Front: 140/70 - 17 tubeless. Rear: 195/45 - 15 tubeless.