Yamaha will decide on the serial production of its new model after the Tokyo Motor Show, where this car was presented to the public yesterday. The Japanese compact car Motiv is externally similar to the 'Smart', but differs in dimensions: the Japanese car is 50 millimeters longer and 60 millimeters lower. The length of both cars almost matches — 2690 mm, but the mass of the Japanese model is 100 kg less.
The patented iStream car assembly technology belongs to the famous British engineer Gordon Murray, one of the creators of the McLaren F1 supercar. This method involves installing the engine, wiring, chassis, braking system, and other key components onto the frame of the future car, while body panels, which arrive at the factory already painted, are attached at the final stage.
Thanks to Murray's development, the platform dimensions can be changed without costly production reconfiguration, and car owners get the opportunity to update the car's appearance by simply replacing body panels.
Yamaha has prepared the iStream in two versions: with a gasoline and an electric powertrain. The gasoline version with rear-wheel drive is equipped with a three-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1 liter, producing approximately 70–80 horsepower.
For the urban compact car, a six-speed robotic transmission with dual clutch was chosen. The Yamaha Motiv accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in less than 10 seconds, and the maximum speed reaches 160 km/h.
The production of the Motiv is planned to be established at a separate new enterprise, with the first production examples expected by the end of 2015.
