Toyota succeeded massively by building rock-solid cars at great prices. But the competition has now caught up with the reliability, leaving Toyota's vehicles looking rather dull and bland.
Toyota has vowed to put this right, and the new little iQ, on sale now in Europe, and coming shortly to the U.S. in 2010 as a Scion, is cute and trendy, and designed to show the company can make attractive cars.
At first glance the iQ appears to be a little Mercedes Smart city car lookalike. But when you get up close it is bigger and chunkier. Look inside and you will find the biggest difference ��" it has four seats, not two like the Smart.
The iQ, despite its size, (less than 10 feet long), has room for 4, as long as one is a child. The child's spot can double as luggage space, which is just as well because the trunk is tiny.
The iQ may be small but in theory it would protect its passengers well. It features nine airbags, including the world's first rear-window curtain shield airbag. The body is engineered to maximise strength. Various computerised aids to driving safety including ABS and Traction Control are standard.
Toyota said the iQ has introduced a breakthrough in the design of small cars by miniaturising key features which allow big-car qualities to be included in a tiny space. There were six key innovations ��"
*The engine is more compact, freeing up space.
*Steering gear has been redesigned to take up less room.
*The flattened fuel tank is under the floor, not the rear seats.
*Seats are slimmer allowing more leg room.
*Heater-air conditioner is 20 per cent smaller.
*Dashboard design opens up space in the cabin area.
Despite the car's small size, it is not just a city car; it will provide comfort and safety at highway speeds. Although acceleration was anaemic, once on a roll the iQ could easily sustain 80 mph. It felt solid and safe.
In Europe the iQ will be powered by a 1.0 litre, 3-cylinder gas engine, a small diesel, or a 1.3 litre gasoline motor. Toyota said the smaller gas engine could achieve economy of an average 54.7 miles per U.S. gallon. The version I drove had a 5-speed manual gearbox, and managed an average 40.6 mpg. Your version will have a 1.3 litre gas engine. Don't be surprised to see the Scion/iQ become Toyota's first battery car.
Small cars like the Smart have had limited success because only trend setters didn't mind paying a high price for cars with only limited utility. The iQ, with its four-"seats", extra practicality and big-car features, offers a bit more value for money.
Sayonara, Smartcar!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vmax2007
Toyota is not any more "special" than every other company the media has targeted in the past.
'07 Toyota Camry LE
Toyota: Like other cars, only better.
^ That's what I thought too....this is like news to all of us!
Back on topic: the iQ is the "Car of the Year" in Japan, so it has to be good.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Camread
you have a Smart?
@ both: lol ya... Had it for a year and a bit now. But will no longer be with me very very soon.
Well the iQ is very clever. Sure, you keep hearing the media about it being a 4 seater (c'mon.. it's a 3+1 lol) and then claim that the driver's side is unusable except for a child (that's why it's called a 3+1! ). Anyway, I hope the materials aren't as bad as the media make it seem. I'm not expect Camry or Corolla plastics but they make it seem like the iQ has 1990s Pony plastics
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2010 Prius Technology Package (Cdn)
OEM Cargo Mat, OEM All-Weather Mat, LED ext/int lights, 5000K HID, OEM Fogs, Euro Mudguards
I remember watching this Smart back up, sounded like those wind up toys where you pull it back and let it go. When they bring the iQ I hope they don't discontinue the Yaris hatch.
I remember watching this Smart back up, sounded like those wind up toys where you pull it back and let it go. When they bring the iQ I hope they don't discontinue the Yaris hatch.
Why would they?
Those are two different cars, under two different brand names, aimed at two different target markets.
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Crapmry
). Anyway, I hope the materials aren't as bad as the media make it seem. I'm not expect Camry or Corolla plastics but they make it seem like the iQ has 1990s Pony plastics 
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