You've already begun discussing this under the Mini E post so here's the image of the Toyota IQ some of you are talking about. This is actually a plug in hybrid vehicle designed for urban areas.
Thursday, 5 February 2009
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Nice and thanks!
Nice car and just followed onto this from the Mini E discussion. Anyone have more details? s this available?
Wahei Hirai, Manager of Toyota Motor Corporation’s design activities, explained: “The iQ concept is designed to reflect and enhance the lifestyle of its owners. In an urban environment, people want to express themselves through dynamic and on-the-edge design, but at the same time rational factors such as size, functionality and CO2 emissions cannot be ignored.
“Bringing these contradictory aims together in synergy was critical to the iQ concept, it’s a way of thinking we call the ‘J-factor’, a philosophy at the heart of all our activities.”
Being two centimetres shy of three metres in length, the iQ concept takes a radical approach to vehicle packaging and design. It challenges the current limitations of ultra-compact urban transport by having a versatile interior that can accommodate three adults, plus luggage space or seating for a fourth, child passenger.
It reinforces Toyota’s commitment to reducing vehicle emissions through innovative design, its small size helping address the problems caused by increased urban congestion.
The iQ is the world’s smallest four-seat passenger concept car. At 2,980mm long, it is 425mm shorter than Aygo, but comparable to Yaris in width and height (1,680 x 1,480mm).
It has seating for three adults plus a child, with the option of using the fourth seat for luggage space. In regular use, driver and passenger sit side by side, but by sliding the passenger seat further forwards makes room for an extra adult and child in the rear.
Intelligent space-saving design and miniaturised technology help free up interior space, for example the ultra-compact heating unit that takes up less room in the centre console. A single central dial displays the interior temperature and ventilation controls, directly in the driver’s eyeline, with a three-dimensional three-in-one speed, rpm and fuel level read-out mounted above the steering column. Audio and navigation controls are integrated into the steering wheel, with the route-finding information projected in a head-up display.
The panoramic glass sunroof adds to the light and open feel of the cabin, while at night the interior has a darker, more mysterious ambience, adding to the iQ concept’s high fashion quality.
The small size has required no compromise in safety standards, with a strong passenger compartment safety cell that ensures optimum impact energy absorption.
In presenting the iQ concept, Toyota reveals an intelligent new design and technology package, a radical solution to the challenge of personal urban transport.
Order books are open for Toyota’s revolutionary new iQ, with first deliveries to customers in January 2009.
An instant icon for modern urban motoring, iQ matches its advanced engineering and design with highly desirable equipment specifications: it’s proof that thinking small no longer means thinking modest.
With carbon dioxide emissions starting at a road tax-free 99g/km and combined cycle fuel economy of 65.7mpg for the 1.0-litre VVT-i with manual transmission, iQ is more than a match for many of its eco-themed rivals. And it returns these remarkable figures without having to sacrifice style, creature comforts and ride quality.
Its ground breaking design makes it the ideal compact machine for around-town driving, but with all the stability and handling dynamics of a larger car to keep it on the pace on the open highway. It can turn on a sixpence and slot easily into parking spaces that are forbidden territory to its rivals, yet the interior is spacious and flexible.
At launch the iQ range offers a revised version of Toyota’s award-winning 1.0-litre three-cylinder VVT-i engine with a choice of five-speed manual transmission or Multidrive, the latest development of Toyota’s continuously variable transmission. On-the-road prices start at £9,495.
iQ pricing and VED bands:
iQ 1.0 VVT-i manual £9,495
CO2 99g/km
VED: A
Good review by Top Gear here:
http://www.topgear.com/uk/toyota/iq/road-test/1.0-vvt-i-manual
The back seats are absolutely TINY! It's like enjoy the front because the back is a horror!
It's not the best in terms of 4 seaters but is nice as described: an urban car for families.
I like it, but it's nothing special. It looks like a transitionary vehicle between a good one and a practical one. If it was around 5-6k it would be huge and a perfect 18th bday present to kids and a good first car. But they've overpriced it and in the current climate I don't see it selling well.
Er, no road tax not an incentive then?
It's like a smart car with bells on.
It's the car of the year in japan!
Nice wheels but very car of the moment. I can see this being outdated within months.
Wow, great to see so much news on this car from bloggers! Ok so I've learned this is Toyota's urban vehicle, neatly ticking emissions standards and is a 4 seater (a moderate one at that) but it's pricey and my 6'1 girlfriend won't fit in the back, so the backseat of a car has less appeal. Basically, it's definitely nice for zipping around your town, but for life? No. Consider this a second car, but more like a pet dog.
Ok, if I haven't got a model girlfriend I have no chance of having one or picking up one with this car. She'll just look at the size of the wheels and look the other way. Great. It's a no from me.
Awesome, by this theory the bigger car should attract more chicks right>?
I am beginning to find this topic curiously intriguing. Men are such funny creatures.
To clarify, it's a small car like the Mini, an electric Whiz and the KAs. If you would typically buy a small car, then this would be better as it would save you money in the long run. If you prefer to measure the worth of a car by the fantasy that it is your vehicle that is stopping you 'picking up' and impressing women, then please continue to indulge your fantasies as long as you realize that's exactly what they are.
:o)
"Quick, it's a girl and she's blogging. Let's all surround her and try to impress her!"
This is how I imagine Dude 2 and his online crowd would react to your post Nicki! ;)
LOL!!!
This is brilliant!
Ok, the coolness of a car does impact which model I purchase and I have noticed that ones that are more stylish do impress more, so there.
Stephen Ryder, 17, Harrow,
Stephen your age, experience and likelihood of experience purchasing cars (judging by your age) proves the point exactly.
Friends, can we get back to the topic of the Toyota IQ!!! It's small, practical, comfortable for a family of 2 adults and 2 children and kinder to the environment than most cars in its category. So much so you don't pay road tax. What are your thoughts?
I'm loving that this car fuels such debates and am gonna lease one asap just to get people talking again!
Nice car, good for outside London areas but not maha-excited. I'll hold out for something else.
LOL @ CONSIDER IT LIKE A PET DOG!!!! Nice one, Simon!
Where does it say that this car doesnt require road tax???
Ok to clarify, you could fit your 6'1 model girlfriend into this car. But if she grows another two inches r loves wearing heels then they'll be issues.
The car is ZERO road tax and here's the Channel 4 review overview:
It takes time to completely understand the Toyota iQ's packaging genius - some 51 years to be exact.
At less than three metres, the iQ is just 290mm longer than a Smart car but, importantly, seats up to four despite being 100mm shorter than the first-ever Mini.
Park the iQ beside any other city car and it is comprehensively dwarfed. Even the Aygo sister is a hefty 420mm longer, but it's inside that you'll find the real packaging triumph. At a push, it can carry three 6' 3" adults and a small child. Even far bigger rivals like the Fiat 500 will struggle to achieve that.
If you're not impressed by that, Toyota hasn't skimped on what's under the bonnet. Available in the UK as petrol-only, the iQ debuts the new carbon dioxide-cutting technology that squeezes emissions below 100g/km, making the iQ road-tax free - unheard of for a petrol.
The iQ is far from perfect: chiefly it's handicapped by a huge pricetag. The base model kicks off at an alarming £9,495, but if you can reconcile its big list price this is one small car that deserves serious attention.
http://www.channel4.com/4car/rt/toyota/iq/25044/2
http://www.whatgreencar.com/view-car/21304/toyota-iq-3dr_Hatch
What Green Car overview!
http://www.whatgreencar.com/view-car/13505/smart-fortwo_ev-30kW - these aren't even available to buy yet.
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=1137
wow, links galore, thanks guys this is getting interesting and should be interlinked to the mini E.
nothing new in terms of design, more a statement than anything else about how Toyota see the future of urban transport and style. It's MEH to me.
Meh meh to me too!
Looks like a mangled wheelie bin painted white and merged with a Ford Ka.
It looks ok, very clinical, like a doctor version of other cars.
LOL at Claire G - Say what you really think!!!
plug ins are cool
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