As Green As You Can Be

by Seyth Miersma of www.nextautos.com on Sun, 06/08/2008 – 18:45

Fresh from the field are these first images of Toyota’s potential Smart competitor, the diminutive iQ. Toyota has already shown the production version of its attractive new microcar, but this is the first look we’ve gotten of the vehicle in the wild.

The iQ is said to incorporate an innovative 3+1 seating arrangement that can allow for three grown people and one child-size human to travel together. Toyota has further stretched the utility of the iQ package by giving the car a longer than average wheelbase with virtually no overhang at either end, maximizing the interior space in the process. Other space-saving features are a flat gas tank under the seats, small heater and air conditioning units, and thinner seats.

Attractive, utile, and efficient, we can’t help but have high early hopes for the iQ. It may even be fun to drive if the smiles on the faces of these test drivers are any indication.

Toyota iQ, how smart is that?

First Toyota showed us a concept car of the iQ, then a (very) close to production concept, and now here are the very first spy shots of that new Smart competitor from Japan.

The iQ will offer a new seat concept with 3+1 seats meaning that the iQ is roomier then it looks. Three adults and a child or some luggage should be able to sit comfortably.

Thanks to a long wheelbase and almost no overhangs Toyota got the maximum of space in this little car. Also details like the flat fuel tank under the seats, a smaller heater / air condition unit and slimmer sears helps to extend the room.

Toyota has great expectations for this car and are hoping for sales figures around 100.000 the first year. And with the fuel price rising almost every day now, a small car like the iQ is a smart choice.

Toyota Press Release February 13th, 2008

Toyota 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.