Toyota Gets SMART With the iQ; Sells it as a Scion in the US

[YSSMAN]

The 2009 Toyota iQ





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In what was arguably the largest press conference here in Geneva, Toyota unveiled the production version of its ultra-compact city car, the iQ. Originally shown in concept form during last year's Frankfurt Motor Show, the production iQ remains true to its conceptual forbearer, combining short overhangs with smoothed, angular accents.

The iQ measures 2,985mm in length with a 2,000mm wheelbase, which aids in both drivability and interior volume. The inside benefits from many of the angles and curves that adorn the exterior sheetmetal, including a triangular center console fitted with a 5.8-inch display. Additional storage comes courtesy of 50/50 split folding rear seats and an under-floor fuel tank that maximizes interior space.

Toyota didn't divulge what kind of powertrains the iQ would come equipped with, but sales are slated to begin in late 2008, with production expected to crest the 100,000 mark during its first year.

Honey I Shrunk the xD!!!

I know I must be going crazy, but I actually like it. At least it looks "funky," I have no idea if it would be willing to play the same game. We Americans shouldn't expect it in the US, ever, I assume but you Europeans will likely get to tinker with it eventually.

 

[Jim Prower]

Ya know, I'd like one. It'd make a great Scion, and, who knows, if the MCC Smart takes off...

Riiiiight...that's a big IF. Like..."IF"

 

[livemusic]

I like it too.

 

[Philly]

It looks like a little R/C car from the outside. I'm impressed with how much of the "conceptness" this car seems to have, at least on the inside. It'll be interesting to see how it stacks up against a Smart.

 

[YSSMAN]

Just by looking at it, it looks like its more livable than the Smart all together. Granted, I've yet to be within 10 feet of a ForTwo, but I'm still not sure about it.

As to whether or not the Smart will be a success in the US, they've got a bajillion pre-orders already, and they're just starting to deliver the cars now.

 

[Jim Prower]

Well then, there is the possibility of this being a Scion.

 

[Omnis]

Looks hideous.

 

[buickgnx88]

But hey, at least it looks like it comes with a stick unlike the FourTwo, which is a 👍

 

[YSSMAN]

Well then, there is the possibility of this being a Scion.

Only if the ForTwo sells well in the US. Which it probably will.

 

[V1P3R]

God... I sooooooooo go for a Yaris if this was my other choice.

 

[High-Test]

Ick. It's even the name.



Is it RR?

It does have some funk to it, and it's slowly growing on me.

 

[Kent]

I'm just happy to see the tach and speedo in the right place. 👍

 

[SagarisGTB]

This shall be just as useless as the ForTwo. Great for parking and not much else. Even the fuel economy wont be much different from any other (larger) subcompact.

 

[Philly]

This shall be just as useless as the ForTwo. Great for parking and not much else. Even the fuel economy wont be much different from any other (larger) subcompact.

Apparently you don't live in a big, crowded city. Driving our Volvo wagon in town is much more awkward than the Golf, and this is Seattle, which isn't that crowded a place.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Whats wrong with the aygo?

 

[High-Test]

Whats wrong with the aygo?

The iQ is apparently better at football.

 

[SagarisGTB]

Apparently you don't live in a big, crowded city. Driving our Volvo wagon in town is much more awkward than the Golf, and this is Seattle, which isn't that crowded a place.

I dont but I have in the past. I appreciate small cars in general, cars like the Jazz/Fit, Fiesta, Vitz/Yaris/Echo, Fabia, Ibiza, Panda etc. But when a car has only 2 seats and not very much behind it, it starts to become useless. Especially when it costs the same much money as a subcompact and more than a Panda.

 

[Philly]

They aren't used as cars to take trips on, just little things you would use to navigate the tight spaces in a big, crowded city with. Any family with a Smart would certainly have another larger car for errands where you need a bigger machine. They would be especially useful in Europe where driving one around all the hatches would be much like driving a much larger car among all the SUVs and other large cars in North America.

 

[SagarisGTB]

Sure, but is a car like that really worth the money? Im of the opinion that anything a Smart ForTwo can do, a Panda or a proper public transportation system can do better.

 

[Philly]

True, but maybe that makes it a status symbol of sorts? Like how very few people actually need a sports car or SUV yet you see them all over the place.

 

[SlipZtrEm]

Sure, but is a car like that really worth the money? Im of the opinion that anything a Smart ForTwo can do, a Panda or a proper public transportation system can do better.

Try to convince people to give up their personal freedom and ride the bus or subway, littered with weirdos.

I guess it didn't keep the 2+1 seating idea of the concept, which makes me wonder what those rear seats are gonna be like. But this is a really cool step for Toyota, and I hope it takes off. I like it a lot, regardless of it's lack of sportiness.

 

[Slicks]

Smart > Another Toyota POS.

It may have one of those manual transmission thingies, but aside from that I can't pick out any redeeming features.

It's bigger than the Smart, but still useless for carrying anything. Bigger small car = Fail.
It's got a "back seat". In a car that's less than ten feet long. Unless you plan to put your foofy little dog in the back seat, Fail.
Cheap? Probably not as much so as the Smart. Fail.
Efficient? Yes, but it won't come close to the Smart. Fail.
Safe? I see some wimpy looking sheet metal and an engine block that's dying to come into the passenger cabin. At least the Smart has the safety cell around the bloody thing and an engine that sits lower (and behind) the passengers. Fail.
Rip off of the Smart styling? Whoop, they added some bugeye headlights and a spare swoosh on the bottom of the body. Fail.

Ick is right. I hope Toyota fails with this.

 

[Azuremen]

Smart > Another Toyota POS.

It may have one of those manual transmission thingies, but aside from that I can't pick out any redeeming features.

It's bigger than the Smart, but still useless for carrying anything. Bigger small car = Fail.
It's got a "back seat". In a car that's less than ten feet long. Unless you plan to put your foofy little dog in the back seat, Fail.
Cheap? Probably not as much so as the Smart. Fail.
Efficient? Yes, but it won't come close to the Smart. Fail.
Safe? I see some wimpy looking sheet metal and an engine block that's dying to come into the passenger cabin. At least the Smart has the safety cell around the bloody thing and an engine that sits lower (and behind) the passengers. Fail.
Rip off of the Smart styling? Whoop, they added some bugeye headlights and a spare swoosh on the bottom of the body. Fail.

Ick is right. I hope Toyota fails with this.

Wow, an array of baseless assumptions. Fail.

I could counter each point by point, but its not worth the time.

I'm interested in it. And I could see it coming state side if the Smart is successful. Which would be good, because we need more interest in small cars in the US. Preferably with an electric plug-in option.

 

[buickgnx88]

It may have one of those manual transmission thingies...

I'm sorry, but that right there makes you sound like someone who knows nothing about cars!

 

[ExigeEvan]

Smart > Another Toyota POS.

It may have one of those manual transmission thingies, but aside from that I can't pick out any redeeming features.

It's bigger than the Smart, but still useless for carrying anything. Bigger small car = Fail.
It's got a "back seat". In a car that's less than ten feet long. Unless you plan to put your foofy little dog in the back seat, Fail.
Cheap? Probably not as much so as the Smart. Fail.
Efficient? Yes, but it won't come close to the Smart. Fail.
Safe? I see some wimpy looking sheet metal and an engine block that's dying to come into the passenger cabin. At least the Smart has the safety cell around the bloody thing and an engine that sits lower (and behind) the passengers. Fail.
Rip off of the Smart styling? Whoop, they added some bugeye headlights and a spare swoosh on the bottom of the body. Fail.

Ick is right. I hope Toyota fails with this.

Wow, an array of baseless assumptions. Fail.

I could counter each point by point, but its not worth the time.

QFT.

Except I will.
Bigger small car = Fail.
It's got a "back seat".
It can seat more people, maybe not big people, maybe not comfortbly, but legally it will be. Win.

Cheap?
You pay a huge premium on a Smart. Sure, the steel for the safety cell may cost alot, but it's still an expensive car for its size. £6,500 grant will get you a Ford Ka with £1500 change. And a Ka is comparable in size, and has backseats that I can fit my 6ft, mostly legs, frame comfortably into for a short journey.

Efficient?
How will you know!? Toyota already produce the Aygo which has comparable economy to the Smart.

Safe?
How can I argue this one, it's obvious you helped engineer it.

 

[YSSMAN]

If this thing is even $2000 cheaper than the Yaris in the States, it would come in almost $10K short of a well-equipped SMART. I'd call that an excellent deal...

Thing is, I need/want driving excitement, and if Toyota can't deliver on some of that, I'm not sure what the point would be other than having an extremely cheap car.

 

[EA11R]

The Smart ForTwo will take off in the US, becoming the new Toyota Prius ("Look at me, I'm green" car), so Toyota will want to launch this as well. If they could make it work with 4 seats, and everything working reasonably well, I see little reason for it to fail. Other than, of course, the fact that all of the potential customers are already driving their trendy, German sub-subcompacts.

Given that disadvantage, it would only work in the colonies if it were priced very well.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> Lookie, lookie, production version pics of the anti-Smart iQ:

By naming its impending city car the iQ, Toyota makes no bones about who it's after. And with an extra set of seats fitted into its diminutive little runabout, the Japanese auto giant looks to one-up the smart fortwo with a vehicle that measures about the same size. Ahead of its European release, Toyota decided to release a few new shots of the production iQ, and we've gone ahead and assembled them into a high-res gallery for your viewing pleasure. After looking things over again, we like what we see. The look is obviously Toyota and we think that the flowing but angular lines translate a bit better in this small package than in some of the marque's larger vehicles. There are four seats inside, though Toyota considers the iQ a 3+1 seater, as the fourth seat is suitable only for wee children. Production will begin shortly and vehicles will begin showing up in Europe at the start of the new year.

Linky

SAMPLE

^ If this car lands in Americaland, would it be a Scion or a Toyota? Based on its profile it does resemble that Scion xD (Toyota Ist), but for the eco-centric it might a Toyota. Well, whatever.

 

[ExigeEvan]

I'm guessing the front passenger seat is further forward than the drivers seat to give more space behind?

 

[Jim Prower]

-> Lookie, lookie, production version pics of the anti-Smart iQ:



Linky

SAMPLE

^ If this car lands in Americaland, would it be a Scion or a Toyota? Based on its profile it does resemble that Scion xD (Toyota Ist), but for the eco-centric it might a Toyota. Well, whatever.

Toyota. A Scion has to accept a wide range of performance parts...this has such a short wheelbase that applying performance parts to it probably isn't prudent.