Japan Report: Toyota to Produce iQ for European Market

Written By: Peter Nunn

Filed Under: All News, Economy Cars, Environmental/Green, Europe, Frankfurt Auto Show, Future Vehicles, Toyota September 25th, 2007 10:00 AM

Toyota’s tiny iQ concept which recently starred at the Frankfurt motor show is set to go on sale in Europe in 2009, reports Japan’s influential Nikkei business newspaper.

The normally well connected Nikkei says Toyota will mildly restyle the iQ before production in Japan starts, with an estimated first year build run of 100,000 units.

The radically tiny, three-seat iQ – just short of ten feet long, making it some two-and-a-half feet shorter than a Yaris, will reputedly get 1.0-liter gas power and a 1.4-liter diesel is also rumored.

While the iQ’s mission is that of a futuristic and fun city commuter, it’s also very much about bringing down Toyota’s CO2 emissions, as the EU commission’s demand for drastically reduced 120g/km emissions continue to spook the industry.

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10 Comments

Michael September 25th, 2007 12:14 PM Link

Fugly and looking scared

CHARLES G. September 25th, 2007 12:50 PM Link

Park that next to your Top Kick.

Ducati Minor September 25th, 2007 1:27 PM Link

I’m all for it. A micro-car with low emissions and high mileage (in a good way, I mean) are what the big city needs.

Andrew September 25th, 2007 2:44 PM Link

It’s gotta weigh next to nothing. I bet it’d be a damn fun little ride if you put a turbo on the motor, strip off the extra weight and probably reworked the suspension a little. Small is beautiful…

ziggy September 25th, 2007 2:53 PM Link

BRING IT TO THE U.S.!! Why does europe get all the cool stuff

Jonathan Fung [Gotakon] September 25th, 2007 10:19 PM Link

Forget next to it, park that in the bed of the Top Kick.

Jim Lau September 25th, 2007 11:49 PM Link

More pics here: http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-iq.html

They should bring this to the US as a Scion to compete with the SMART ForTwo. Its name already fits the Scion mold, even.

I actually dig the exterior, and I really like the steering wheel. The iQ could be a fun, tossable little car.

will September 26th, 2007 12:31 AM Link

That has got to be the ugliest thing I have ever seen. It is abrasive to the eyes.

ziggy September 26th, 2007 11:05 AM Link

I’ll drive ugly if it gets 50mpg.

Winding Road » Archive » Tokyo Motor Show: A Live Look at the Toyota IQ October 25th, 2007 1:00 PM Link

[…] Toyota’s European-bound minicar concept, the short and sweet IQ, made an appearance with the rest of the eco-friendly gang at Tokyo after debuting at Frankfurt last month. […]

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