Toyota's IQ concept will be produced.

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by C.RICKEY HIROSE, Aug 26, 2008.

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  1. C.RICKEY HIROSE

    C.RICKEY HIROSE Member

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    2009 Toyota iQ revealed (updated)

    Toyota's IQ concept unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show will be seen
    soon as the 2009 ~ 2010 real production model in competition to the "MB's Smart city commuter"..

    Now, if Toyota put the "Synergy Drive" to this compact car,
    can you imagined the fuel efficiency windfall. Many people do not need larger commuter.
    Here in CA, I see 60% of drivers in the morning commute hours driving "Solo"

    Toyota showed off its super compact, C-segment iQ to the world in Geneva today.
    The car was first shown in concept form at Frankfurt last year, and will be produced in late 2008.


    Toyota is touting the iQ as the ultimate refined mode of transportation and at less
    than 118 inches in length, it’s certainly small enough to be a devoted city runabout.

    The iQ is called a 3+1, meaning it is capable of carrying up to three adults along with
    a child or luggage in comfort.

    Toyota is especially proud of the six engineering innovations it utilized to
    maximized interior space in the iQ in addition to the long wheelbase of nearly 79 inches,
    which minimizes overhangs but maximizes the space between the wheels. The first includes
    a newly developed compact differential, alone said to be responsible for over 100mm of
    added length in the cabin in comparison to the B-segment Toyota Yaris.
    The rest includes rear-angled shocks and a flat fuel tank under the seats,
    a smaller heater / air conditioner unit that’s just as efficient, a center take-off steering column,
    an asymmetrical dashboard as well as slimmer seats claimed to contribute about
    1.5 inches in length to the interior. Despite its small size, the iQ received a 5-star safety
    rating in Euro NCAP testing.

    “We came to the conclusion that, in order to ensure a sustainable future, there was a
    need for a radical change in vehicle packaging. We needed to create a break-through, away
    from the traditional belief that small is basic,” said Kazuo Okamoto, Executive Vice President in
    charge of Research and Development at Toyota.
    The pushed-forward dashboard features temperature controls with an LCD display,
    as well as a 5.8-inch screen for satellite navigation system.
    The iQ showed at Geneva sat on 16-inch wheels and powerplant choices will include
    two gasoline and one diesel engine. Toyota expects to sell 100,000 units of the iQ in
    its first year of production globally.
    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
     
    #1 C.RICKEY HIROSE, Aug 26, 2008
  2. rfruth

    rfruth Member

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    Thanks, hope its 87 octane flex fuel (unlike the Smart for 2)
     
    #2 rfruth, Aug 26, 2008
  3. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    None of the links are working for me. :(

    I have noticed a lot of the smallest version of the Yaris here in Socal, and everytime I see one, it reminds me of the Smart-for-Two because they look very similar in shape and size to me (noting that the Smart is in fact smaller than the Yaris).

    I wish I could see the pics of this car.

    -----update 8/27/08 @ 9am. The links are working for me now! :thumb:
    .
     
    #3 Rybold, Aug 26, 2008
  4. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    I've been searching forever for a magazine rack for the Prius. The iQ shown actually has one built-in. How cool is that?

    Wonder how much this thing would cost. $10K maybe?
     
    #4 zenMachine, Aug 26, 2008
  5. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Use the top link. The lower ones in Rickey's post are not working, but refer to the pics you -can- see in the top link. When you click on them they magnify.

    Aint the internet fun! My display of the top link included Toyota adds, from Canada (presumably because that's where I am).
     
    #5 David Beale, Aug 26, 2008
  6. carz89

    carz89 I study nuclear science...

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    A little light reading while you drive? I think books on CD are safer. ;)
     
    #6 carz89, Aug 26, 2008
  7. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I wonder how many gallons the tanks is. 5 gallons?
     
    #7 usbseawolf2000, Aug 26, 2008
  8. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Here's a picture for those wanting to see it and a little perspective on size. Though I don't know how tall the girls are.
    [​IMG]
     
    #8 TonyPSchaefer, Aug 26, 2008
  9. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    Magazine on CDs perhaps? :)

    Actually it's for my wife. We car pool, and she always brings along her magazines and papers and mails and other stuff to read or work during the commute. The iQ's solution is exactly what I've been searching for.
     
    #9 zenMachine, Aug 27, 2008
  10. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    My wife solves this problem by storing her stuff on the floor under my feet while I try to drive. Her stuff doesn't start there, but she puts it on the hump and it slides into the driver's footwell.

    Tom
     
    #10 qbee42, Aug 27, 2008
  11. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    Article is a bit stale, iQ is starting sales in Japan and Europe in October :).

    Its 3m car with 3+1 seating that works, better mpg than Smart. Autobild called it "Smarter than Smart" and Japanese editor of Carview said he would buy it...
     
    #11 spwolf, Aug 27, 2008
  12. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    The comments at the bottom of that original article are from February. Here is some more recent information:

    "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"
    (Toyota Press Release is included, which states production to begin in "late 2008." It also states "World Premiere," which I'm assuming means that this car will be sold globally)
    http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/04/geneva-2008-production-toyota-iq-unveiled-smart-in-sight/
    .
    .
     
    #12 Rybold, Aug 27, 2008
  13. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    #13 TonyPSchaefer, Aug 27, 2008
  14. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    it is only for Europe and Japan, for now, as it is premium small vehicle - it will be more expensive than Yaris for instance, despite being 2 sizes smaller...
     
    #14 spwolf, Aug 27, 2008
  15. mcsj

    mcsj Member

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    Which means, screw you, Americans!
     
    #15 mcsj, Aug 27, 2008
  16. Derek

    Derek New Member

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    What will it take for us to be catered to like the Europeans? :(
     
    #16 Derek, Aug 27, 2008
  17. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    Once you buy more Yarii with Navigation than base Corollas? :).
     
    #17 spwolf, Aug 27, 2008
  18. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    I feel your pain. :)

    Finally my wife found a magazine box at IKEA that can sit on the hump. All you do is tape a velcro to its bottomside and it stays put.

    But the iQ's solution is so elegant. I wonder if there's some sort of bungee net that you can use.

    IKEA | Organizers | Desk accessories | KNÖS | Magazine box
     
    #18 zenMachine, Aug 27, 2008
  19. ronhowell

    ronhowell Active Member

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    I would say $8 - $10.00 USD for a gallon of gas, which is what they pay in Europe.
     
    #19 ronhowell, Aug 27, 2008
  20. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    in that case, you "would" buy an hybrid or diesel Corolla, not an iQ...

    iQ is 2nd or 3rd car in huge cities where you have problems with parking and such.

    Who knows maybe US will get 1.3l version eventually?
     
    #20 spwolf, Aug 27, 2008
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