TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Toyota LQ concept revealed

Toyota has revealed its latest concept car, the quirky-looking and quirky-named LQ, ahead of its reveal at the 2019 Tokyo motor show.

The LQ is the brand’s latest iteration of concept car, following on from the Toyota Concept-i that was first unveiled at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show.

The LQ is equipped with self-driving tech equivalent to Level 4, meaning it can completely drive itself, but still has pedals and a steering wheel in case you want to take over.

An artificial intelligence agent named Yui is also on-board and is designed to “learn from the driver and deliver a personalised mobility experience”, offering interactive voice communications, in-seat functions, fragrances, air-conditioning and more.

There’s also a host of fancy tech such as an augmented reality head-up display, organic LED instrument displays and seats that help to wake up a tired driver by switching on ventilating seats and inflating an air bladder in the seat back to promote an upright position.

Development leader Daisuke Ido said the LQ will “deliver a personalised experience, meet driver’s unique mobility needs, and build an even stronger bond between car and driver”.

“In the past, our love for cars was built on their ability to take us to distant places and enable our adventures,” he said.

“Advanced technology gives us the power to match customer lifestyles with new opportunities for excitement and engagement.”

Full details and specifications for the LQ are yet to be announced, but Toyota has touted a driving range of about 300km and a body roughly the size of a Prius.

Toyota has confirmed the LQ will take part in a public test-drive event scheduled to run from June to September, 2020.