Toyota’s new 2010 IQ minicar (May be sold in the U.S.)
03-06-08 | 05:29 AM
#76
It's a marketing ploy. It is a 2+2 seating arrangement. Two seats in the rear, two in the front. The front passenger is offset a little forward in the cabin to allow more leg room for an adult in the rear.
03-06-08 | 12:31 PM
#77
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,813
Likes: 1
From: The Bay Area, CA, USA
03-06-08 | 03:20 PM
#80
06-09-08 | 07:54 AM
#81
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,120
Likes: 231
From: Canada
Spy Shots: 2010 Toyota iQ minicar
Spy Shots: 2010 Toyota iQ minicar
Posted on Sunday 8 June 2008
Hoping to share in the success of the growing minicar segment, Toyota is planning to release a production version of its iQ concept car as early as 2009 with the future model destined for both the Japanese and European markets. These are the first spy images of a prototype of the future minicar, which will go up against rivals like the Smart ForTwo and upcoming Volkswagen up!.
The car measures less than three meters in length, yet it can comfortably seat three adults plus one small child. Officials are also confident the car will score a five-star rating in the latest Euro NCAP safety tests, despite its diminutive proportions. Interior space is expected to be above average for such a small car thanks to its relatively long wheelbase and lack of overhangs.
Previous reports claim the iQ will be powered by a 1.0L petrol engine located in the rear. A diesel model is also expected.
While its name may appear to be poking a little bit of fun at rival brand Smart, the iQ is a serious car for Toyota and will underpin its sales strategy of capturing brand loyalty for many first-time car buyers. Toyota expects to sell 100,000 units of the iQ annually, although competition from Volkswagen, Smart and other manufacturers will be a hurdle for Toyota.
Posted on Sunday 8 June 2008
Hoping to share in the success of the growing minicar segment, Toyota is planning to release a production version of its iQ concept car as early as 2009 with the future model destined for both the Japanese and European markets. These are the first spy images of a prototype of the future minicar, which will go up against rivals like the Smart ForTwo and upcoming Volkswagen up!.
The car measures less than three meters in length, yet it can comfortably seat three adults plus one small child. Officials are also confident the car will score a five-star rating in the latest Euro NCAP safety tests, despite its diminutive proportions. Interior space is expected to be above average for such a small car thanks to its relatively long wheelbase and lack of overhangs.
Previous reports claim the iQ will be powered by a 1.0L petrol engine located in the rear. A diesel model is also expected.
While its name may appear to be poking a little bit of fun at rival brand Smart, the iQ is a serious car for Toyota and will underpin its sales strategy of capturing brand loyalty for many first-time car buyers. Toyota expects to sell 100,000 units of the iQ annually, although competition from Volkswagen, Smart and other manufacturers will be a hurdle for Toyota.
I can't wait.
06-09-08 | 12:09 PM
#85
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 8,349
Likes: 0
From: QC/FRANCE
they probably will seeing MB is selling the Smart Fortwo in Canada and now the US.
Plus with the rising cost of petrol, Toyota probably can make a killing off this car alone. If it can get like over 60 mpg. It will sell like hot cakes if it can get like 100 mpg.
Plus with the rising cost of petrol, Toyota probably can make a killing off this car alone. If it can get like over 60 mpg. It will sell like hot cakes if it can get like 100 mpg.
06-10-08 | 03:59 PM
#86
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 3
From: none
The passenger looks happy!
Damn it.. bring it over!!! With a 1.0 litre engine and a body bigger than the fortwo, I don't know if it can break 55mpg. (The fortwo gets 49mpg on the highway according to NRCAN). That is, unless Toyota puts its trickery into the 1.0 litre like they did with the 1.5 litre in the Echo/Vitz/Yaris. What I mean is that the 1.0 litre that goes in the iQ is a brand new state-of-the-art engine with dual VVT-i and direct injection and not simply a 1.0 litre VVT-i from the Aygo.
Edit: In the 2nd pic, it looks likea 2-dr Toyota IST (Scion xA)
Edit2: Those mirrors look like JDM Prius accessory mirrors. Also, the liftover height seems a tad high (esp. with the smallish opening)
Damn it.. bring it over!!! With a 1.0 litre engine and a body bigger than the fortwo, I don't know if it can break 55mpg. (The fortwo gets 49mpg on the highway according to NRCAN). That is, unless Toyota puts its trickery into the 1.0 litre like they did with the 1.5 litre in the Echo/Vitz/Yaris. What I mean is that the 1.0 litre that goes in the iQ is a brand new state-of-the-art engine with dual VVT-i and direct injection and not simply a 1.0 litre VVT-i from the Aygo.
Edit: In the 2nd pic, it looks likea 2-dr Toyota IST (Scion xA)
Edit2: Those mirrors look like JDM Prius accessory mirrors. Also, the liftover height seems a tad high (esp. with the smallish opening)
Last edited by Nextourer; 06-10-08 at 04:05 PM.
06-10-08 | 05:43 PM
#87
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 451
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
There's quite a bit of info on the Toyota U.K. web site. This looks like it's close to release as we don't usually see this extensive coverage until it's time for sales. No pricing or technical details yet but a number of interesting videos.
http://www.toyota.co.uk
When we first saw this, Toyota was talking about European and Japanese sales by the end of 2008. Hopefully, North America is not too far off.
http://www.toyota.co.uk
When we first saw this, Toyota was talking about European and Japanese sales by the end of 2008. Hopefully, North America is not too far off.
06-10-08 | 06:10 PM
#88
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 8,349
Likes: 0
From: QC/FRANCE
06-16-08 | 03:18 PM
#89
Thread Starter
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,120
Likes: 231
From: Canada
Toyota may sell iQ in the U.S.
Posted on Monday 16 June 2008
source
The new small city car from Toyota may see U.S. sales some day, according the company’s chief engineer, Hiroki Nakajima. As carmakers of all sizes slash large, inefficient vehicles from their U.S. lineups, Toyota is considering adding the highly efficient iQ to its offerings.
With fuel efficiency that beats every car in Toyota’s lineup except the Prius, the iQ’s non-hybrid system epitomizes inexpensive city transport. Relatively good room inside - seating for 3 adults plus one child - despite an overall length of just 117 inches means the car is comfortable as well as small enough to find parking nearly anywhere.
Toyota manages to keep the car so small with several innovative technologies, including a drivetrain optimized for interior space, a flat fuel tank under the seats, thin steel-framed passenger seats and a space-saving heating and cooling system. Despite its diminutive size, however, Toyota is targeting the iQ toward the higher end of the market, with a premium feel, rather than the econo-box pure-transport feel of cars like the Tata Nano, reports Automotive News.
Pricing for the iQ hasn’t been announced, and would likely have to be adjusted somewhat for U.S. sale, but Nakajima says it will be priced in the same range as the Yaris (or Vitz, as it’s known in its home market). That would put the iQ around $10,000 base price in Japan, and closer to $12,000 in the U.S. With fuel prices still on the rise and more people looking for an inexpensive daily driver, the iQ could be an attractive purchase for those not wanting a used car.
Toyota’s consideration of the iQ for the U.S. market is interesting, especially in the face of Volkswagen’s pullout of the Scirocco and possbily the Golf (Rabbit) Mark IV due to rising costs and the weak U.S. dollar.
With fuel efficiency that beats every car in Toyota’s lineup except the Prius, the iQ’s non-hybrid system epitomizes inexpensive city transport. Relatively good room inside - seating for 3 adults plus one child - despite an overall length of just 117 inches means the car is comfortable as well as small enough to find parking nearly anywhere.
Toyota manages to keep the car so small with several innovative technologies, including a drivetrain optimized for interior space, a flat fuel tank under the seats, thin steel-framed passenger seats and a space-saving heating and cooling system. Despite its diminutive size, however, Toyota is targeting the iQ toward the higher end of the market, with a premium feel, rather than the econo-box pure-transport feel of cars like the Tata Nano, reports Automotive News.
Pricing for the iQ hasn’t been announced, and would likely have to be adjusted somewhat for U.S. sale, but Nakajima says it will be priced in the same range as the Yaris (or Vitz, as it’s known in its home market). That would put the iQ around $10,000 base price in Japan, and closer to $12,000 in the U.S. With fuel prices still on the rise and more people looking for an inexpensive daily driver, the iQ could be an attractive purchase for those not wanting a used car.
Toyota’s consideration of the iQ for the U.S. market is interesting, especially in the face of Volkswagen’s pullout of the Scirocco and possbily the Golf (Rabbit) Mark IV due to rising costs and the weak U.S. dollar.
