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Toyota iQ platform will spawn new compact cars
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Toyota iQ
Toyota developed an all-new architecture for its iQ city car, but in an effort to defray the costs the automaker will be using the platform to underpin three new models.
The first will be the next-generation Yaris, due out in 2011, which will be packaged more efficiently to improve interior volume and be a more competent competitor to the Honda Fit. A new hybrid model is also in the works that takes aim at another Honda – the new 2009 Insight – while a seven-seat people mover is also slated to be built atop the iQ's architecture.
MotorTrend sat down with the iQ's chief engineer, Hiroki Nakajima, to discuss a half-dozen innovative packaging solutions employed on the city car, including a differential moved to the front of the engine to allow more interior room, a higher-mounted steering rack and wiper motor assembly, a smaller, more efficient climate control system and a flat, thin fuel tank that lies beneath the passenger seats.
All these innovations have cost some serious coin to develop, but over the iQ's lifetime, along with the implementation of these systems on other models, Toyota is confident that the expense is worth it for both the automaker and consumers.
Gallery: 2009 Toyota iQ
[Source: MotorTrend]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Purifoy 3:47PM (9/18/2008)
If it looks like a Smart car, rides like a Smart car . . .
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required 5:15PM (9/18/2008)
...yet has four seats...
Retroqqq 3:50PM (9/18/2008)
nice
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Torrent 3:56PM (9/18/2008)
let me guess..... the scion tA?
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hashiryu 7:22PM (9/18/2008)
Scion t & a ....... lol
Pip 9:54AM (9/19/2008)
I was going to comment.. It looks like a 2 door version of my xA. The same body styling and everything as my RS1, but... it's missing about four feet in length.
kris 4:35PM (9/18/2008)
My future DD, along with an Elise for a weekend car :)
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Kabayo 5:22PM (9/18/2008)
Unless the instrument panel is directly in front of the driver, I'm not interested.
Kabayo
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stealthebeatles 6:10PM (9/18/2008)
I know what you mean. One of the reasons I don't like Minis.
cameron42985 6:36PM (9/18/2008)
That's astute. Now explain how that comment applies to this vehicle.
DragonFli 1:05AM (9/19/2008)
because recent small toyotas (and scions by extension) have had the instrument panel in the center of the dash...
BHendrix 4:14AM (9/19/2008)
People, if you'll just look at the pictures, you can see that the IP is indeed right in front of the driver...
Like the other guy said--astute! :D
P.V. 5:28PM (9/18/2008)
Ummmm...isn't the Insight a Prius competitor? If so, why is Toyota developing another model to compete with its own Prius (unless it is of significantly different size; in that case, I understand)?
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Cameron42985 6:31PM (9/18/2008)
Is that a comment or were you just talking to yourself?
elprogramer 8:49PM (9/18/2008)
Boy, those will be nice for those cold days on the golf course.
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Hike15 9:14PM (9/18/2008)
So where is the engine
cause i dont see one in the picture at the top
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tekdemon 4:38AM (9/19/2008)
Hmm a hybrid built on the iQ platform will fight the insight? Wouldn't an iQ hybrid be a pretty tiny car though? I think it'd probably be a new segment of hybrid instead of an insight competitor, since the Insight is pretty much a Honda Prius.
I wonder what kind of mileage an iQ platform hybrid will get though, the iQ already gets pretty good mileage since it's so tiny.
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cameron42985 8:30AM (9/19/2008)
It helps to understand how truly small this vehicle is. Look at it. It's a Smart Car competitor. Nothng less and nothing more.
As for a Hybrid Model, I really don't see how it would cannibalise sales. Especially in America.