Geneva 2008: Toyota iQ

Overheat · March 7th, 2008, 01:37 AM

http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/motorshows/2008/geneva/toyota-iq/03-large/toyota-iq-f3q.jpg

http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/motorshows/2008/geneva/toyota-iq/03-large/toyota-iq-f.jpg

http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/motorshows/2008/geneva/toyota-iq/03-large/toyota-iq-r3q.jpg

The iQ city car was previewed in concept form at last autumn's Frankfurt Motor Show. It's smaller than the Aygo in length - less than 3m long - but nearer the Yaris in width and height, and has a cleverly-designed cabin to optimise interior space.

The iQ was developed at Toyota's ED2 design studio in the South of France, and is intended as a rival for the likes of the Fiat 500 and Volkswagen Up!. It can carry three adults, with a fourth foldaway seat to accommodate a child or make room for luggage, thanks to clever packaging - a flat under-floor fuel tank helps create extra cabinspace.

The wheels are pushed right out into each corner, creating a long wheelbase - the cabin is actually 100mm longer than that of the much larger Yaris. Further space-saving measures include an ultra-compact air conditioning unit, allowing the front passenger seat to slide up nearer the windscreen, and the repositioning of the engine, gearbox and differential to make for a very short front overhang.

The Geneva show car rides on 16-inch alloy wheels, and displays features including door mirrors with integrated indicators, smoked glass headlamp units, a V-shaped centre console and flat-bottomed steering wheel (to save space) and ultra-slim seatbacks. There is a storage tray below the rear seat, and the 50:50 split rear seats can be folded flat.

Toyota is aiming for a five-star result in the Euro NCAP crash tests, and carbon dioxide emissions under the 100g/km mark. Two petrol engines and one diesel will be offered.

It will go into production at the end of the year, with UK sales in spring 2009; Toyota hopes to sell 100,000 iQs a year worldwide.

fbc · March 7th, 2008, 10:46 AM

Funky looking thing - I like it, and I'd certainly buy one of those rather than a Smart.

Blayde · March 7th, 2008, 10:58 AM

Reminds me of the Aygo, should be a nice city runabout

Armunn · March 7th, 2008, 12:45 PM

With the wheels right on the corners it should handle reasonably as well. Well for a city car anyway.

static · March 7th, 2008, 01:54 PM

It doesn't follow Toyota's design language at all, looks like it's been subcontracted with a chinese workshop and then got a Toyota badge.
And it's too similar with Aygo, I can see little room for this one.

AiR · March 7th, 2008, 03:11 PM

It's got a real nose, two pointy eyes and a manta's mouth

luvcars · March 7th, 2008, 05:17 PM

I like it! It didn't make sense to me at first. But i think it will slot in neatly between the Aygo and Yaris! images/smilies/smile.gif

March 7th, 2008, 01:37 AM	#1
Overheat Joined: Sep 7th, 2004 Last Online: September 30th, 2008 Location: Bradford, UK Posts: 5,735 Rep Power: 25	Geneva 2008: Toyota iQ The iQ city car was previewed in concept form at last autumn's Frankfurt Motor Show. It's smaller than the Aygo in length - less than 3m long - but nearer the Yaris in width and height, and has a cleverly-designed cabin to optimise interior space. The iQ was developed at Toyota's ED2 design studio in the South of France, and is intended as a rival for the likes of the Fiat 500 and Volkswagen Up!. It can carry three adults, with a fourth foldaway seat to accommodate a child or make room for luggage, thanks to clever packaging - a flat under-floor fuel tank helps create extra cabinspace. The wheels are pushed right out into each corner, creating a long wheelbase - the cabin is actually 100mm longer than that of the much larger Yaris. Further space-saving measures include an ultra-compact air conditioning unit, allowing the front passenger seat to slide up nearer the windscreen, and the repositioning of the engine, gearbox and differential to make for a very short front overhang. The Geneva show car rides on 16-inch alloy wheels, and displays features including door mirrors with integrated indicators, smoked glass headlamp units, a V-shaped centre console and flat-bottomed steering wheel (to save space) and ultra-slim seatbacks. There is a storage tray below the rear seat, and the 50:50 split rear seats can be folded flat. Toyota is aiming for a five-star result in the Euro NCAP crash tests, and carbon dioxide emissions under the 100g/km mark. Two petrol engines and one diesel will be offered. It will go into production at the end of the year, with UK sales in spring 2009; Toyota hopes to sell 100,000 iQs a year worldwide. __________________

March 7th, 2008, 10:46 AM	#2
fbc Mantastic! Joined: Jan 8th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 33 Posts: 10,641 Car: 2006 MY07 Astra SRi Turbo Rep Power: 82	Funky looking thing - I like it, and I'd certainly buy one of those rather than a Smart. __________________ www.sniffpetrol.com Last edited by fbc; March 7th, 2008 at 12:50 PM.. Reason: Grammar - me fail english? That's unpossible

March 7th, 2008, 10:58 AM	#3
Blayde Joined: Dec 20th, 2004 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Bahrain Posts: 2,006 Car: '02 Nissan X-Trail, '06 Honda Civic EXi Rep Power: 58	Reminds me of the Aygo, should be a nice city runabout __________________ Some say he migrated when fuel hit 4 pounds per gallon and that he can make 'special price' for you. All we know is, he's the Stig's Arab cousin; Al-Stig!

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March 7th, 2008, 12:45 PM	#4
Armunn Joined: Oct 19th, 2004 Last Online: December 30th, 2008 Age: 32 Posts: 59 Car: Subaru Liberty B4 Rep Power: 18	With the wheels right on the corners it should handle reasonably as well. Well for a city car anyway.

March 7th, 2008, 01:54 PM	#5
static Joined: Jan 12th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Southern Finland Age: 22 Posts: 712 Rep Power: 18	It doesn't follow Toyota's design language at all, looks like it's been subcontracted with a chinese workshop and then got a Toyota badge. And it's too similar with Aygo, I can see little room for this one.

March 7th, 2008, 03:11 PM	#6
AiR Joined: Dec 19th, 2005 Last Online: 12:32 AM Location: Sweden Posts: 635 Car: 07 Opel Astra Diesel Rep Power: 20	It's got a real nose, two pointy eyes and a manta's mouth

March 7th, 2008, 05:17 PM	#7
luvcars Joined: Mar 4th, 2008 Last Online: January 7th, 2009 Posts: 289 Rep Power: 5	I like it! It didn't make sense to me at first. But i think it will slot in neatly between the Aygo and Yaris!

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