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Unlike the Dodge Challenger Midwest Regional Auto Show, Geneva's shaping up to be bursting with new-car debuts. Toyota will be in the thick of it, showing off the production-spec version of the iQ microcar, which the automaker debuted as a concept last year in Frankfurt and will be heading to the European market. The little runabout measures just under 3 meters in length, and it should be as wide and tall as a Yaris, if the iQ concept is an indication. As a basis of comparison, the smart fortwo is 2.5 m long. Unlike the smart, the iQ has seating for three adults plus a child or additional cargo. (And hey, depending on your darling little one's mood, he/she might seem more like baggage on some journeys anyway.) Over at AutoblogGreen, Sam suggests that the iQ could get a 1.0L engine with stop/start functionality. Whatever the company sticks underhood, we do know this: the iQ will go into production at the end of this year.
Joining the iQ will be the Urban Cruiser, which appears to be little more than a jacked-up Toyota ist (Scion xD). Earlier reports said that it would borrow styling cues from the 2006 Urban Cruiser concept, but clearly the only thing the production ride cribbed is the show car's name. Toyota hasn't released tech specs for either the iQ or Urban Cruiser yet, and we'll bring you all the news from Geneva as it happens early next month. It's worth noting that the JDM ist is available with optional 4WD, which would be in keeping with the Urban Cruiser's SUVish stance.[Source: Toyota]
PRESS RELEASE:
SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL FOR TOYOTA AT GENEVA
KEY POINTS
* World premiere of production-ready Toyota iQ at the Geneva Motor Show
* European debut of new Urban Cruiser SUV
Toyota is thinking big by creating a new generation of small cars designed to address the demands of modern motoring and the preferences of today's drivers. Two new models will take centre stage at the Geneva Motor Show.
Toyota iQ
First shown as a concept car at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show, iQ is appearing for the first time as a market-ready design, ahead of production starting towards the end of this year. Although measuring less than three metres long, this compact urban vehicle can carry three people in comfort, with room to spare to accommodate a child or carry luggage.
The ingenious design was created by bringing together six linked, space-saving engineering innovations that mark a revolution in Toyota's vehicle development. iQ is rich in Japanese design elements and signals a radical shift away from the belief that small cars, although kinder to the environment, are inherently basic and less safe.
Urban Cruiser
Toyota is extending its sports utility vehicle range into the small car segment with its new Urban Cruiser.
Presented for the first time in Europe, it is an environmentally responsible SUV aimed at the market for urban all-road vehicles and meeting motorists' priorities for low fuel consumption and emissions.
In addition, Toyota will display its latest advances in creating urban environmental transport solutions, including a Plug-in Hybrid prototype and two concept cars: the Toyota 1/X Plug-in Hybrid concept in combination with Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) technology, and the i-Real personal mobility concept.
More information will be provided at the Toyota Motor Show press conference to be held on 4 March at 2.15pm in Hall 4.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sean Flanagan @ Feb 13th 2008 9:42AM
Hey! Someone sat on that smart fortwo! But I suppose the packaging of a
DP @ Feb 13th 2008 9:45AM
This is great news!
I own a smart fortwo, and am quite happy to see other manufacturers join in with their own micro car. I was hoping Toyota would come out with this, and hoping also that VW will see its "UP" through as well. Maybe even a BMW/Isetta will come back too.
Hooray!
Taylor @ Feb 13th 2008 9:49AM
Both look like something already done. iQ=fortwo and the Urban Cruiser just looks like an updated xB.
yay for being Capt. Obvious. =D
Josiah @ Feb 13th 2008 9:52AM
The Urban Cruiser looks like an alternate-reality RAV4, if oil hadn't been so cheapin the early 00's when they decided to creep it up the large scale.
Rboyett @ Feb 13th 2008 9:58AM
So, is there any indication that the iQ will be sold in the US?
Frankly, I wish Japanese auto makers could (or would) import kei cars to the US. Some of those little buggers are kick ass. I drove a Honda Beat and a Suzuki Cappuccino when I was living in Japan and they were great cars.
For those that don't know:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Beat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Cappuccino
psarhjinian @ Feb 13th 2008 10:06AM
Much as I'd love a kei car, that 600cc size limit would be a real hard sell here.
Personally, I think they'd make a great choice as urban runabouts. Most people don't use more than 60hp anyways, and there's a certain simplicity (no expensive injection or emissions system like a diesel would have, no hybrid drive) to them that many would find appealing.
I'd certainly buy one, if for no other reason than it'd be good to have during the one-third of the year the bicycling doesn't work.
Derek @ Feb 13th 2008 12:14PM
Wow, thanks for the links. My only question is how can I import one of those here! Just the right size and finally something with a reasonable weight for a sporty car. I'd take one with or without the engine, don't care. Would be just fine with 60hp, but even more fun with a transplant of some sort...
DarkKnight67 @ Feb 13th 2008 10:06AM
Wow! That urban cruiser has a nice copy of an Acura MDX front-end. Toyota originality - moving in some direction or backwards.
Marc-O @ Feb 13th 2008 4:12PM
I think you mean RDX ! And yes, absolutely.
RPM @ Feb 13th 2008 10:13AM
If that little IQ comes to the US/Canada, I will for sure buy one. It would be beautiful to park in the downtown core.
gotsmart @ Feb 13th 2008 10:24AM
Toyota's "vibrant clarity" design language has produced yet another blight on the automotive landscape. I've never seen so many awkward lines and surfaces meeting in unflattering ways as they do on the iQ. Just because it's different doesn't mean it's good.
The Urban Cruiser is a nice replacement for the RAV4 which moved up into Highlander territory when the Highlander went all bloated and 7-passenger on us. And at least it has no pretense of being an off-roader. Strictly for the urban jungle.
Joshua @ Feb 13th 2008 10:27AM
That iQ looks nice and is definitely an attractive alternative to Smart's hideous offerings, but the last thing we need are more midget cars like that in North America. They aren't practical, are hard to see and don't have the power to keep up with traffic (especially on the highway).
starlightmica @ Feb 13th 2008 10:31AM
I think there was talk of bringing over a sub-Yaris. Perhaps the iQ will come over as the a Scion xA?
Playdrv4me @ Feb 13th 2008 10:47AM
I usually am in the camp that thinks anything designed by Toyota has the flair of a kumquat, but the Yaris and this little iQ are definitely appealing for the market they serve, and a nice alternative to the fortwo.
You won't ever see me in one of these things, but for what it is, it seems a homerun.
Calguy @ Feb 13th 2008 10:52AM
Dang. As with virtually every other flawless concept study, the 'REAL' production model seems to have been neutered of all its awesome looking sharp styling. Melted edges, soft rounded shapes give this new iQ no style lead that the concept had. Duh.
That said, I'm still REALLY hoping this comes to The States. I've got a smart on order, but in honesty, I'm not convinced there isn't better. From potentially better mpg, to the brilliance of occasional seating for 3, the iQ seems to be a very cool car. I'd buy one as long as it doesn't look any more wilted when they produce it.
Derek @ Feb 13th 2008 12:14PM
Interesting. I hated the styling of the concept. A front end that even a mother might not love. Very glad that they gave it something presentable for the nose.
Frylock350 @ Feb 13th 2008 11:16AM
That's all not entirely relevant. These cars are intended for urban use only. I can see these being highly relevant in a downtown environment. Think how much more traffic could be facilitated with these little guys.
That said, I agree that these vehicles would have no place on the highway. Besides being underpowered their light weight and small tires are a safety hazard. The tiny tires on that car are spinning much faster @70mph than the tires of a Malibu or Camry at the same speed. They also have laughable grip on the road and at those speeds imperfections in the surface can compromise traction. When you get into rural highways were you need to accelerate to pass cars, these little guys are even more dangerous. Any kind of bad weather and they'll be completely useless as well.
leather bear @ Feb 13th 2008 4:39PM
@ Frylock350:
“…I agree that these vehicles would have no place on the highway. Besides being underpowered their light weight and small tires are a safety hazard. The tiny tires on that car are spinning much faster @70mph than the tires of a Malibu or Camry at the same speed. They also have laughable grip on the road and at those speeds imperfections in the surface can compromise traction. When you get into rural highways were you need to accelerate to pass cars, these little guys are even more dangerous. Any kind of bad weather and they'll be completely useless as well.”
Small tires a safety hazard? Laughable grip on the road? Completely useless in bad weather? I would beg to differ based upon my time with a friend’s well-used Mini 1000 (not much different in size to your average kei-car) in Great Britain a number of years ago while following the RAC Rally as a spectator. Agreed that it was pretty slow in a straight line, but even with 4 good-sized guys inside, it had no trouble exceeding the 70 mph motorway speed limit there (and yes, there was plenty of bad weather). By any performance criteria you choose (excepting straight line acceleration, of course), that little Mini and its 10-inch wheels and 145SRx10 Dunlops would’ve blown any stock Malibu or Camry into the weeds. After that vacation, it was easy to see how the Mini (in Cooper guise) won so many rallies in the mid-‘60s.
Not everyone needs (or wants) an rolling road sofa for a vehicle.
Michael D @ Feb 13th 2008 11:16AM
Is that iQ going to be a brand new model? I don't think that it would ever get released in the UK - it would cannibalise sales of the AYGO which fits a fairly similar bill already... Did you guys in the US not get the AYGO?
Alex Nunez @ Feb 13th 2008 11:37AM
Yes, it's a new model that will slot below the Aygo (the concept version was 16 inches/425mm shorter). And no, we don't get the Aygo here in the US. The smallest offering from Toyota here is the 3-door Yaris.