Toyota Going Really Mini with iQ

Toyota announced that it will unveil a production version of its tiny iQ concept (concept shown here) at the Geneva Motor Show in March. About the size of a Smart ForTwo, the iQ  — hmm, the names rhyme — is only planned for sale in Europe at this time.

Interestingly enough, even though it is so small it can seat three people, although how comfortably is anyone’s guess. The iQ will also run on a tiny little engine that hasn’t been confirmed yet, but could be smaller than the 81 hp powerplant in the Smart. This car will most likely not come to the U.S. but if you think the Smart needs competition let us know.

New Toyota iQ & Urban Cruiser World Debut at Geneva (WorldCarFans)

Comments

I think this is a great addition to the mini/micro car class, like the smart fortwo. I would really hope that Toyota would bring this car to the USA. Smart, hip and more practical than the smart fortwo. It might even get better mileage, and be priced as reasonable, too.

toyota is just the company to beat anyone at their own game... so why not this one? fortwo, your days are numbered.

Toyota's won't be over till GM decides to bring over their microcars for Chevy. It a question of who will really be the first me a major brand. The Smart is niche new brand to U.S. although it made by Damaliar. It is kind of smart (pun) for Chevy and Toyota to let Smart carry the cost of education of the American consumer.

What about safety? If this ever gets hit by one of those giant Yaris's there will be nothing left of it!
Besides, when it falls into a pothole, how will it get out?

I haven't known GM to be first at anything. Expect to see the IQ on U.S. shores in 2009.

i think the picture above is actually the first production shot. Certainly that seems to be what I've read elsewhere. It certainly looks more production ready than I remember the concept.

Also, GM doesn't actually HAVE any microcars to bring over from anywhere else in the world. Their smallest car (if I'm correct) is the Agila, which is a 5 door.

In europe at least, this is actually going to be priced higher than the Yaris - interesting decision...

Somebody needs to step up to the plate and deliver a true mini/micro car. The Smart ForTwo offers almost no advantages that I can see (other than ease of parking...though if you can't park...you should't be driving). I'm disappointed with the Yaris as well. If I'm going smaller, I want a payoff. Why anyone would drive a Yaris over a Corolla or a Smart ForTwo over a Corolla for mileage/value purposes is beyond me. I think many drive it as a "STATEMENT" car much they way they drive the Prius. Except the Prius actually delivers a practical advantage of significantly more mileage (Tho she be a might ugly).

I also expect that Toyota WILL bring this car to the US. Why not? Look at these numbers below: That's sales for January 2008 and the % increase over January '07 sales (source: automotive news)

Toyota Yaris 7,666 up 30.6%
Chevrolet Aveo 5,314 up 40.2%
Honda Fit 4,480 up 120%
Kia Rio 2,709 up 66.8%
Mini Cooper 2,460 up 20%

With sales numbers like that, you can bet there will be more small cars to come. In conversations that I've had with Chev. Gen Manager Ed Peper, I'm fairly confident that we'll see the Beat here on our shores and I'd wager that the Groove is a good possibility.

I'd give the iQ an 85% probability for US sales.

Looks like a Smat car mated with a Scion Xa. Nice looking concept. If the Smart car does well I think something like this will come over to compete against it.

To anyone who thinks the smart's engine is small. Please do a little research on Japanese K-car standard. It is limited to be under 0.7L. And the smart didn't qualify for that.

Why not. It would be great to see more cars in this segment, giving commuters in cities more options.

If they REALLY want a segment buster, how about a micro car that is fully loaded with luxury items? Comfortable 8-way power seats, real leather, climate control, and a top-notch sound system.

I imagine it would be a good car for urban commuters who want a small footprint but after a long day at the office need a comfortable car to relax in as they crawl though rush hour.

I had a chance to drive an old G20 once and later realized that there are basicly no cars on the market that fill this need.

Count me in as waiting to jump in line to buy the IQ. Micro cars are a long time coming.

I owned a G20 for several years and loved it. It was well built, drove well, and very nice inside. I disagree that there's nothing else out there like that these days though.

Basically, it seems like many of the modern compacts fill this need in their highest trim levels. You can get a compact sedan from many makers with leather, high-end stereo, nav, and climate control.

I wouldn't group that car in this category, since it was much larger than this tiny car.

Infosaur,

Factor in the price for all those items, it would be way beyond the entry point of Camry territory.

I had a chance to drive a SMART when they were doing their US "tour". It was a little crude. The auto trans shifted abruptly, the brakes had an awful feel and it NEEDS PREMIUM FUEL!!! WHAT?!! I hope Toyota brings the cute IQ to the states and gives it the refinement that they are known for. I'm tempted by the Yaris but I'll wait for the something smaller from Toyota.