Toyota iQ could come Stateside wearing Scion badge
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Toyota iQ
Rumors have been swirling over the past few months that Toyota was considering bringing its iQ mini-car to the States, and according to MotorTrend that's exactly what's going to happen at the LA Auto Show this November, where Toyota will unveil a U.S.-spec iQ wearing Scion badges.
The iQ – originally destined for sale in Japan and Europe – features a 3+1 seating arrangement and motivated by either a gasoline-powered 1.0-liter three-pot or a 1.4-liter diesel. However, MT speculates that the Yaris' 1.5-liter four, mated to a manual gearbox or CVT will be fitted for duty in the U.S.
Ideally, the Scion iQ would have to be priced at or below its direct competitor, the Smart ForTwo, so expect a sticker of under $15,000 if and when it goes on sale. The rationale behind offering the iQ as a Scion would finally give some credence to the brand's targeted urban demographic, which has been faltering in recent years. And with more usable passenger and cargo space than a ForTwo, the Scion iQ could be a hit for people downsizing their rides without sacrificing some of the practicality found in a more traditional runabout.
Gallery: Production Toyota iQ
[Source: MotorTrend]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Gregg 12:45PM (10/10/2008)
Great to see. I want one. Ideally it would be the diesel, but if Toyota is wussy about that, I'll take a gasser. I don't want to fool around anymore with gas prices and commuting. This would be enough to get me from A to B each day, be more safe than a scooter and provide some passenger space at those odd times when it might be needed.
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LMBVette 4:03PM (10/10/2008)
Nobody has a problem with paying almost 15k for a car like this?
Seriously...it's half the car...it should be half the price....same goes for the Smart.
Justin C 12:46PM (10/10/2008)
I definitely think that the Toyota iQ has what it takes to add a bit more life into the Scion brand. It seemed like Scion was on the right track when it created the tC and the first generation Xb...wish I could say the same about the second generation. A bit too funky there. Also, are we ever going to see new styling on the tC?
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catgirlshyla 1:49PM (10/10/2008)
"It seemed like Scion was on the right track when it created the tC "
Keyword "was."
BoneHeadOtto 3:28PM (10/10/2008)
everyone is so down on the new scion models. Go drive the old ones then drive the new ones, you will change your mind. The only thing that is worse is the gas mileage. Both cars are much nicer than the previous ones and have remarkably low prices. But unfortunately mpgs is what people care about most so these cars are not being purchased. Interestingly the new Fit gets the same mileage as the more powerful xD (in manual form).
catgirlshyla 4:43PM (10/10/2008)
The only thing "down" is the grievous missteps that the Japanese car makers have done to their cars.
It took Video Games, Import Videos, Anime, and a whole slew of Japanophiles to get Nissan to cough up the GT-R for American Consumption after deciding that the USA wasn't ready for the Skyline.
Toyota, despite knowing the popularity of Initial D and the AE86, destroyed the Celica and MR2 and offered the tC. And to add insult to injury, they made in FWD, AND then to even further that travesty, they hacked a tC to be RWD and entered it into Formula D, despite it being illegal under Formula D Rules (redux of WRC Cheating Scandals).
Yeah, I find it great they'll bring over the iQ, but still, they had the Aygo, so why not federalize that car and bring it over months before the SMART?
Ayatollah Rodriguez 12:55PM (10/10/2008)
Interesting, will the second generation also quadruple in size?
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Mike Homeniuk 12:59PM (10/10/2008)
Hope we get it here in Canada, being as we don't have Scion. And please, give us the diesel...want the highest mileage possible...no need for the Yaris' 1.5
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cameron42985 1:05PM (10/10/2008)
1.0 ltr please. That's gotta have some impressive specs.
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BoneHeadOtto 3:28PM (10/10/2008)
0-60 in 100seconds. There is an impressive spec for you. Glad they have those rear impact air bags.
GOT 3:58AM (10/11/2008)
LOL @ BoneHeadOtto! The iQ might even start going backward when the accelerator is stomped on (and in forward gear)! ;D
DP 1:06PM (10/10/2008)
Great News!
As a former Scion xB owner (the FIRST generation xB) and current smart fortwo owner, this is just what I'm looking for.
The compact/minimalism of the smart, but with room fortwomore in a pinch (really 1.5). Also will like the integrated iPod connections that the old xB had. I like the smart very much, but would like to take our nephews for a spin, and can't do that without a back seat. Here's hoping it can get around 40 MPG in daily driving. (I get about 38 in my smart in hard driving around town).
I'd be interested in the smaller engine and the diesel, but imagine that the 1.5 is what they'll bring. I think that is a good motor.
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Alone On Board 1:07PM (10/10/2008)
Americans can't fit in this car
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DP 3:32PM (10/10/2008)
I disagree, Alone on Board,
Of course Americans can fit in this car, the Scion iQ.
Americans can fit in the smart.
This is larger than a smart.
I am an American who owns a smart.
I am 6'4" 275 lbs.
My most frequent passenger is 6'3" 250 lbs.
We fit.
R 1:12PM (10/10/2008)
Toyota will definitely ruin this car in its second generation like it did to the other cars in its Scion brand (and Lexus IS imho). Whats wrong with keeping a car small? Ah the fat American asses.
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catgirlshyla 1:44PM (10/10/2008)
Don't forget the Lexus SC as well.
Raider007 1:16PM (10/10/2008)
$15k? I'll pass at the price...
That needs to be somewhere at the 11k-12k mark, not $15k. I can get a lot more car for that price...
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hatchbacks are cool 1:17PM (10/10/2008)
It looks cute what do Americans have against small cars and good quality food .
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Dsuupr 1:20PM (10/10/2008)
I am not a fan of the car or toyota, but I'm sure it will be a hit in our current economy.
It is the kind of car that made toyota what it is today, just like the original corolla. The big question will be pricing.
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ugg.tryptophan 9:28PM (10/11/2008)
yeah, the car is a little ugly but hopefully high sales of the iQ will convince other companies to import their small cars