Spy Shots: Tiny Toyota iQ caught testing

Though Toyota already unveiled the production version of its diminutive iQ city car at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show last March, this is the first time anyone has seen the vehicle testing out in the wild. These spy photos of the iQ also give us a good sense of the car's true scale, which is to say that it's really friggin' small. Not MINI small, smart small. Unlike the smart fortwo, the iQ can reportedly carry three people and a child rather than just two adults thanks to its clever 3+1 seating arrangement. We're not sure if anyone but the driver would be comfortable were the iQ filled to capacity, but at least it's possible in a pinch. As you can see, there's virtually no overhang on the front or rear of the iQ, which allows Toyota designers to maximize the space between. Winding Road also reports that the car will feature a unique flat gas tank to save space, thinner seats and smaller heat and air conditioning units. Toyota expects to sell 100,000 units of the iQ in its first year of production, which should start later this year, and while nothing's been confirmed, the Japanese automaker could be eying North America for some of those sales considering our current lust for small, fuel-efficient vehicles.


[Source: Winding Road]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)








Autoblog Podcast #152: Paukert Enhanced!

Chris Paukert joins the usual crew of Chris, Sam, and Dan, summarily classing up the joint.

 
 

Featured Galleries

  • 2011 Buick Regal Live Unveiling
  • BMW Concept 6
  • Zenvo ST1 Details
  • SEMA 2009: HPP Daytona Challenger
  • LA Design Challenge 2009 Competitors
  • SEMA 2009: 1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1-RS
  • SEMA 2009: Bigfoot
  • SEMA 2009: Black Bison Toyota Alphard
  • Ford's Inflatable Seat Belts
  • 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder
  • Shelby Turbocharged Mustang
  • Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition

AOL Autos

Find Your Next Car

Autoblog Video


Autoblog Green

Daily Finance

Download Squad

Engadget

Joystiq

Autoblog Spanish

Switched.com

FanHouse

Asylum