Spied! First Images of 2009 Toyota iQ Microcar on the Street
Fresh from the field are these first images of Toyota’s potential Smart competitor, the diminutive iQ. Toyota has already shown the production version of its attractive new microcar, but this is the first look we’ve gotten of the vehicle in the wild.
The iQ is said to incorporate an innovative 3+1 seating arrangement that can allow for three grown people and one child-size human to travel together. Toyota has further stretched the utility of the iQ package by giving the car a longer than average wheelbase with virtually no overhang at either end, maximizing the interior space in the process. Other space-saving features are a flat gas tank under the seats, small heater and air conditioning units, and thinner seats.
Attractive, utile, and efficient, we can’t help but have high early hopes for the iQ. It may even be fun to drive if the smiles on the faces of these test drivers are any indication. Check out more photos in the gallery, or read the spy shooter’s own thoughts on the Toyota iQ below the jump.
Toyota iQ, how smart is that?
First Toyota showed us a concept car of the iQ, then a (very) close to production concept, and now here are the very first spy shots of that new Smart competitor from Japan.
The iQ will offer a new seat concept with 3+1 seats meaning that the iQ is roomier then it looks. Three adults and a child or some luggage should be able to sit comfortably.
Thanks to a long wheelbase and almost no overhangs Toyota got the maximum of space in this little car. Also details like the flat fuel tank under the seats, a smaller heater / air condition unit and slimmer sears helps to extend the room.
Toyota has great expectations for this car and are hoping for sales figures around 100.000 the first year. And with the fuel price rising almost every day now, a small car like the iQ is a smart choice
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Comments
Les
I don't know how you would fit a third adult in that car, let alone a child or any luggage. But I love Toyota, so I'm looking forward to how it comes out.
Daniel Coté
I love my smart ... but if Toyota brings this car to the U.S., it may be time to ....
Karan
Those are some big wheels
Mark in Maine
Interesting ... if one looks closely around all of the camo panels, this thing appears to be pretty well finished - near production-ready example, or just a well turned-out prototype? Nice size - I think it will make friends fast.
Jeff
That 3+1 is nothing but marketing-speak. Judging by pics on other sites it's an ordinary 2+2.
Oh, and it's _roomier then it looks_? Someone needs a vocabulary refresher.
Jesda
This will make an ideal one-person daily commuter car.
Toyota
[...] Spied! First Images of 2009 Toyota iQ Microcar on the Street By Seyth Miersma Fresh from the field are these first images of Toyota’s potential Smart competitor, the diminutive iQ. Toyota has already shown the production version of its attractive new microcar, but this is the first look we’ve gotten of the … Winding Road - [...]
Spy Shots: Tiny Toyota iQ caught testing | Cars Blog
[...] [Source: Winding Road] [...]
Anonymous
The car look ok.
But how safe is it.
It appear to not be able to take front in hit
or for that matter a back in hit.
The US requires the 5 mile/hr no damage on
the car.
I have own a Toyota for many years and they are great.
Also my daughter has a Toyota Hybrid.
But we want better cars to be safe and not need gas.
Spy Shots: Tiny Toyota iQ caught testing - The Automotive Ne
[...] [Source: Winding Road] [...]
Spy Shots: Tiny Toyota iQ caught testing - Automotive | CooO
[...] Winding Road][Show as slideshow] addthis_url = [...]
Spy Shots: Tiny Toyota iQ caught testing | 9autos.com
[...] [Source: Winding Road] [...]
ziggy
I wonder what the size difference is between this and the 3 door yaris.
William
Just tell me where and when I can buy one!
Spy Shots: Toyota iQ prototype spotted in the wild » Hybrid
[...] [Source: Winding Road] [...]
Sharky
ziggy - If the iQ is about the same size as a smart I can tell you from experience that the iQ will be much smaller than a three door Yaris. I parked my three door Yaris next to a smart just a few days ago and the smart made the Yaris look downright huge.
Andy II
i hope it comes in stick
Rex
@ziggy
"I wonder what the size difference is between this and the 3 door yaris."
I believe its around 11 inches.
Eugenio
Because of Italy, and Rome in particular, is the first market for Smart and small cars, I guess Iq will be a best seller here. This brand new car solves the problem of traffic congestion, maximum load in a small space and fuel price crisis. Oscar in marketing punctuality to Toyota
Auto Blogsite » Blog Archive » Spy Shots: Tiny Toyota iQ cau
[...] [Source: Winding Road] [...]
Anonymous
Put my name down for the Toyota IQ! I've always loved Smart cars, but haven't bought one because it doesn't have a back seat. Most of the time I don't need a back seat, but there always comes the time when you need to give more than one person a lift. A car like this is exactly what I've been waiting for! High off the ground, compact and low on emissions (low road tax) and insurance. PERFECT!
William
Looks like a Smartfor2 modified?????? which has been around for 4-5 years in Europe-Toyota wants to go further in Europe and this car might just do it-gotta go call my stock broker-bada boom bada bing!
William
When I alert my friends about these cars the first thing I hear is, Yet but in a wreck-wow! I let them know that Ralph Nader tried for years to prove the lowly wonderful lovely VW Beetles were unsafe also but he could only prove the American "tried to copy it" Corvair unsafe-Europeans and Asians aren't dumb-they know what Americans worry about and it has to meet safetry requirments-duh!
imoore
Looking at the picture, I couldn't help but notice the Smart ForTwo in the background looking jealous. Intentional setup or chance shooting? Hmmm...
texreb
I have never owend anything other than a American named car. Fed-up with nothing to choose from, from our american auto makers, I recently went to Toyota to see the Palris, just to find out you cant git one, Toyota isent even takeing orders for the car, There selling them faster than thay can make them. Seem to me our own auto makers would get the hint.
scott
Toyota could make a mint if they sold this car here. American car companies are as dumb as they come. Our cars have actually gotten less fuel efficient. If it wasnt for our goverment bailing them out they would have gone out of business long ago. Nothing this size is safe if struck by a hummer or 18 wheeler, but that is beside the point.
I WANT ONE!!!!
Co Boer
Will the iQ also come with 5 doors? Is this car based on the Daihatsu Cuoro?
gybognarjr
Too bad Mr. Lutz at GM killed a similar car, which at this point looks better, however, I am sure Toyota will make this little car better looking, by the time it hits the marketplace. The truth is, that the Big Tree here has lousy management and without innovative, talented leaders they lag years behind the times. It is not the unions, not the laborers, not the high cost of benefits, that makes them losers, it is the leaders inability to approve designs, which are viable, desirable and profit generating.
Anonymous
Ill try and answer some of the questions raised here:
The Iq should be about a foot longer then the Smart car. The Volkswagen's and Corvair were from an era when you slapped some sheet metal on a small frame and motor and sent it to the dealership and safety was not a concern - new cars include many new safety features including crumple zones, stability control, airbags, anti lock brakes, safety belt pretensioned, and side impact beams - Ive read that it already meets or beats European front impact damage requirements. You cannot compare new car safety with cars from 30 years ago, except to say that there is no comparison :) I don't think you will see a five door version, its intended to go head to head with the Smart car and back seat usage on these is really intended for a few bags of groceries or to carry another person if you had too. Cars have gotten less fuel efficient over the years, but like I stated earlier they are much more safe and options like AC are pretty much standard equipment. Every safety device and luxury option you add to a car the less fuel efficient it gets. Cars are bigger more comfortable and safer, not to mention they don't put out all the pollutants that cars from 30 years ago did. If you want to compare cars from then and know be sure to look at all these factors.
Freddy
Will this be gas only or a hybrid? Looks veeer-y interesting.
Spike D. Punch
Finally, a car that might have the universal appeal of the old VW Beetle. If the engine is air cooled and sounds wheezy-raspy, all the better. Seats 3 adults and a Keebler elf? Sounds like a party.
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