57 MPG Toyota iQ Goes on Sale in Europe, No U.S. Release Date Yet
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 10.13.08
Toyota iQ City Car
The Toyota iQ is making quite a few waves: Thanks to its 3+1 seating arrangement, it is the the smallest 4-passenger car in the world, its design has gotten lots of attention, even from the Royal College of Art, and it is also the first car with a rear curtain airbag for improved safety.
Now Europeans have a chance to buy one (though deliveries will only start in January). Read on for more details on available engines, MPG, and fuel-saving features.
Toyota iQ Technical Specifications
First, before someone asks, the 57 MPG figure in the title of the post is in US gallons. It is a conversion of the 4.1 L/100km rating that the 1.4 Diesel model gets. But let's not get ahead of ourselves...
The Toyota iQ is offered in two trim levels (IQ and IQ2), and with two different engines. A 1.0-liter gasoline 3 cylinders that generates 50 kW (67 hp) @ 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 91 Nm (67 lb-ft) @ 4,800 rpm, which is decent for such a small and light car. Fuel economy is 4.3 L/100km (55 mpg US) and 99 grams of CO2/km.
The 1.4-liter turbodiesel engine generates 66 kW (89 hp) of power @ 3,400 rpm and 190 Nm (140 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000 rpm. Fuel econony is 4.1 L/100km (57 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 103 g/km (a tad better on fuel efficiency, a tad worse on CO2 emissions).
New Engine and Stop-Start Coming in 2009
There is a third versions coming for 2009: A new 1.33-liter dual VVT-i gasoline engine with stop-and-start technology (the engine stops instead of idling at red lights and such, restarting instantaneously when you take your foot off the brake pedal).
ECO Indicator Helps You Save Gas
The Toyota iQ has two feedback systems to help the driver achieve better gas mileage. The first is:
A Gear Shift Indicator fitted on manual transmission models indicates to the driver when to shift up or down for optimal environmental performance. The system takes into account the driving conditions, including the level that the accelerator pedal is pressed and the vehicle speed. This indicator may result in a 0.5% to 3% fuel consumption reduction compared to normal gear shifting, depending on driver’s personal driving habits.
And the second is only available on models that use Toyota's "Multidrive" transmission, a kind of CVT. It's an ECO indicator in the dash that shows you when you are driving efficiently. There's also a MPG gauge that shows current and average fuel consumption.
More about Toyota iQ on page 2!
Energy Star Getting Tougher on TVs, Tests Them When Turned On
|
Number of the Day: 168.03 Million Motor Vehicles in China
|
Pretty sweet, especially if you don't have kids and live in the city.
Pretty sweet, especially if you don't have kids and live in an EUROPEAN city.
Why does Europe get all of the efficient cars?
"Why does Europe get all of the efficient cars?"
Hopefully gas prices won't fall too dramatically because of the recession.. We were just starting to convince automakers to bring efficient models over.
Why do they even put a back seat in these cars? I'd take a 2 seater version of this with a well designed cargo area and more leg room in the front.
"Why do they even put a back seat in these cars? I'd take a 2 seater version of this with a well designed cargo area and more leg room in the front."
I think people just like having more seats just in case. If you only want cargo, you can keep the seats folded down..
I'll step up to the plate & say that's a beautiful little car & the timing is right. In America we need more vehicles like this.
The ability of the engine to shut down while idling at the lights is a brilliant idea. We need more ideas like this.
The interior looks pretty good, one thing I've always noticed is that the interiors of small cars have always looked chintzy & cut rate. The steering wheel looks nice, not so sure about the triangular console in the middle, especially in chrome.
If they bring the vehicle to the States & keep the appearance clean & uncluttered looking, I'm in the game.
We don't get these because of the arcane rules against small deisel cars in the US.
If the government does not want us to have these fuel efficient cars then they should start subsidising fuel.
Nuff Said.
People ask about the back seat, look up the video of a publicity stunt where they fit 3 basketball players, their manager, and 2 fans in the IQ.
To be honest, they really didn't look squished. Its supposed to be smaller than a yaris, but larger on the inside due to space saving engineering.
Yeah, I think the concept is that the exterior is smaller, but the interior isn't that bad. Front seats looks pretty good, in any case.
World's smallest four seater. Is that what anyone really wants?
I like the car, the milage et al., but selling it as the smallest 4-seater seems silly.
Tired of leg-room? Wish you lived a clown's life? Folks, you won''t find a smaller place with 4 seats crammed into it. Luggage too? Forget about it.
And that's the thing, a trunk wouldn't reduce the mpg, and parking places are a fixed size, so why make it so short?
Cute though. I like cute.
Trunks add weight, weight lessens mpg.
80% of the time there is one person in the car carring a briefcase/purse/overnight bag.
Most the rest of the time there are only 2 people in the car, or 1 person and some groceries.
Why add weight for a feature tha is rarely needed?
In addition, cars can only carry so much weight.
This car weighs 1600lbs
4 people weighs 800lbs (or 50% of the weight of the car)
And now you want to make it carry even more weight? Sure, we will just beef up the suspension adding 300lbs to the weight of the car, and now get 40 mpg.... And now you can ask "Why don't they offer fuel efficent cars?"
In other words, there need to be compromises made. Not having a trunk is one of them.
PS. Do not try and pick up twenty-five 80lbs bag of concrete with this car in one trip.
Who the heck would put their kids in the backseat of that thing?!? They're dead the first time someone rear-ends you. Have we now come to this, "Save the Earth, kill your kids"? No thanks.
@blindflacker
You're exactly right in my opinion. If this were my car I'd yank the back seats and see about setting the front seats back a bit (either by lengthening the track or fabricating a new mount) for some added legroom for my 6'4" frame. The reviews I've read don't seem to suggest this car would work for me straight out of the box in terms of fit.
HJJ, this car got a 5star rating on NCAP. That means it is safer than 95 per cent of SUV-s. The rear bumper provides sufficient crumple zone and I think you missed the part where it said this is the passenger first car equipped with a rear airbag curtain (I do admit that this somewhat validates your point - the manufacturers seem to be vorried about rear passengers safety - but in a good way)
nice car... tho I am betting Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson will blow it apart heh heh heh.... I like the concept, but like Blindflacker sez.. y the rear seats?
maybe toyota should also have a 2 seater option and also figure out how to make it cheaper. usually what happens is that manufacturers follow the zen saying 'less is more'. less the material used, more the price...
Please bring more fuel efficient vehicles to the U.S. that are reasonable priced! Yes, the Prius is wonderful and has marvelous mpg rating. But there are some of us who would prefer not to have to spend $25 grand on a car. (sheesh, I know I'm in a minority that some might consider frugal, or even cheap, but to me that is way too much money for a car!). Give us something with the dimensions of a Prius without the high sticker! But ultimately I need fuel efficiency. Is it too much to ask that the car manufacturers wake up and produce something better?
Please bring more fuel efficient vehicles to the U.S. that are reasonable priced! Yes, the Prius is wonderful and has marvelous mpg rating. But there are some of us who would prefer not to have to spend $25 grand on a car. (sheesh, I know I'm in a minority that some might consider frugal, or even cheap, but to me that is way too much money for a car!). Give us something with the dimensions of a Prius without the high sticker! But ultimately I need fuel efficiency. Is it too much to ask that the car manufacturers wake up and produce something better?
What the heck is 3+1 seating arrangement? Looks like 2+2 to me...
Great Car.
and only £9.49 thats quite a bargan. ha
hopefully they bring these to Australia I will by one if they do.
It's a new concept for a serial killer,lol!He or,she can cut up the body parts and put them in back without having to go to the gas station ,brilliant,lol!
Yep - word in the auto industry is that this will definitely be badged a Scion in the U.S., seperating it from Toyota's current entry-level offerings.
I'll be waiting for it...
Probably Europe because it's a diesel, and Europe in more diesel friendly. Diesel, because it's easier to wring more MPG/ KPL out of a diesel.