Toyota iQ: Less is More for Small Urban Car
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 02.13.08
The Toyota iQ was still a concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show last September, but things are moving fast and the production model is scheduled to debut at the Geneva Auto Show next month. All the details are not yet known, but what we can reliably expect to get is a tiny city car (less than 3 meters in length, or about 20% longer than a Smart) with an innovative 3+1 seating layout (1 adult and 1 child seat or luggage in the back). The engine will likely be 1.0 liter gasoline, possibly with stop-start capabilities like the Citroën C2. Read on for Toyota's press release and a photo of the iQ concept.
Maybe it's just us, but we think that the production iQ (first picture) looks much better than the concept version above, and that's good. Anything that makes tiny fuel efficient cars more attractive to buyers is a good thing.
Press Release February 13th, 2008Toyota to present two new additions to its small car line-up
at Geneva Motor Show• World premiere of Toyota's revolutionary new iQ urban car
• European premiere of Toyota's new small SUV, the Urban Cruiser
At the Geneva Motor Show, Toyota will unveil the production design of its all-new small car – Toyota iQ. First shown as the Concept Car iQ at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show, iQ will go into production during late 2008.iQ represents a break-through in compact urban transportation. For a first, up to three passengers can be comfortably seated in a compact urban vehicle at sub three metres in length, and additionally have enough area to accommodate a child or luggage.
The spaciousness of iQ is a result of its ingenious packaging, which was created by six space-saving but inter-linked engineering innovations that represent a revolution in Toyota's automotive vehicle development. Infused with Japanese design elements, iQ is a radical change in vehicle design as well as environmentally friendly transportation, and away from the belief that small cars are basic and less safe.
Toyota also uses the Geneva Motor Show to present a new extension of its sports utility vehicle line-up into the small car segment: Toyota Urban Cruiser.
This new Toyota is an environmentally responsible small SUV aimed at the urban all-roader market. It provides an answer to consumer desires for SUVs but with low fuel consumption and low emissions.In addition, Toyota will also show its latest advances in urban environmental transport solutions, a Plug-in Hybrid prototype as well as two concept cars: the Toyota 1/X Plug-in Hybrid concept in combination with Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) technology, and the i-Real personal mobility concept.
::New Toyota iQ & Urban Cruiser World Debut at Geneva, ::Geneva '08 Preview: Toyota to show production version of iQ microcar
The IQ, what a SMART name. Whoever came up with that must be really SMART.
I like it. Seems perfect for urban conditions, or even as a second car outside the city.
Cars are looking more and more like shoes every day
"Cars are looking more and more like shoes every day"
How odd. Considering that shoes are meant to mimic feet, which have evolved to slice through air smoothly and quickly while still creating a broad platform for standing and running without tipping.
Somewhere between Tata and Smarte.
Very cute though. They should show a picture next to an average sized person.
vsk
I guess this could be comparable to the Aptera. Both small city cars with 2+1 seating, both kind of innovative (Aptera more than this), both aiming for efficiency, etc.
But the Aptera can get 230 mpg.
It looks like a smaller version of the Yaris, but it's reminiscent of Mecedes SMART car. Heck, if it gives great gas mileage then I'll buy it!
Anyone know anything more about the Urban Cruiser mentioned in the press release? Is this just a glorified crossover, or does it have real off-road (or at least rough dirt road) capability? Something that can get me to and from a remote trailhead no matter what the weather did while I was out and still be rational for everyday commuting (let's face it: a lot of us were boxed in to car commuting by urban planners 40 years ago) would be an answer to prayers.
After some follow-up on my own, the word on the Urban Cruiser is not so promising: it is a slightly redesigned Scion xD. As one blog put it, "The Urban Cruiser (as opposed to Land Cruiser) certainly looks capable of traversing deep city potholes with aplomb and maintaining traction in even the harshest of drizzles." Toyota's press on the '06 concept car at the Geneva Auto Show is long on design and owners who want to "express their personality" and short on mechanical details and owners who want to go somewhere that pavement doesn't.
C'est la vie. I somehow thought it was too good to be true.
The Mini Cooper has start-stop... but not in North America.
Once my daughter is out of her car seat, this would be a perfect car for us.
As it is, we need four doors to comfortably get her into and out of the car, so our most recent car purchase was a 2005 Scion xA, another small, smartly designed car.
Does anybody know if this is actually shorter than the
Toyota Aygo? From the photo, it basically looks like one, but a little more dome-like/Smart Car-esque.
Yeah, I should think so... the Aygo is a full four-seater - quite comfortable too!
Love it!! It's really cute... and fuel efficient. Perfect!!
how many mpg for this?
Seems like Toyota wants it's piece of the Tata Nano market....
"Does anybody know if this is actually shorter than the Toyota Aygo?"
Yes, by about a half meter in length.
Great post, great note. I've been seeing mentions about this car, but no pix until now.
We're looking to go smaller, more fuel-efficient with our next car. If we don't go electric, something like this would fit the bill.
Cheers!
Cute! It's like everything you love about the Smart car but parents can use it too. When is this coming?
Now Subaru is testing its new all electric vehicle in NY right now its called the R1e it has a top speed of 65 mph and a 50 mile per charge range with fast charging in 15 mins and overnight 8 hr slow charging. It is supposed to be on the market here within a year and sell for under $18K. we can only hope.... Also China is coming out with an electric car too soon. Although China is becoming the biggest threat to the environment I think they also have the potential to solve the problems too as they are unfettered by al the big oil, big auto lobbying that we suffer from here, and their ability to copy and mass produce cheaply is already being applied to solar panels, ev motors etc etc....
"Does anybody know if this is actually shorter than the
Toyota Aygo? "
Yes, the iQ is shorter. It measures 2,985mm in length vs. the Aygo's 3405mm.
"Cute! It's like everything you love about the Smart car but parents can use it too. When is this coming?"
Production will start during late 2008 so it should go on sale near the end of this year or early 2009.
Cheers,
iQ Colony Community Forums
Why would Toyota not make this a Hybrid, or better yet a plug-in hybrid? Its seems like a natural for the technology. If your goal is to make an vehicle economical to run and environmentally friendly this being a hybrid would knock it out of the park.
I was totally comitted to purchasing a smart for two and was defnitely going to buy a toyota prius for a second car. Now I am switching to a Chevy Aveo. What ever happened to the monopoly laws. Weren't they supposed to keep large Companies from buying out the competition and shutting them down so they could control the prices? The odds are pretty good that the Toyota IQ. will cost a lot more and it is going to be 20% longer. I wanted a short vehicle to tow behind my motor home in an enclosed trailer. Lost my interest in Toyota's Hybrids and am now researching Honda. Thanks Toyota. Greed may destroy your chances for overtaking GM/
I have not seen yet what the gas mileage is for the i.Q but you just know it is going to be good, and if the price is good I'll have one. And it is the car of the future.