Toyota IQ - Coming Soon to Japan
The Toyota IQ a microcar which was first unveiled at the autumn 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany is making its way to the production line. Toyota will be launching the IQ in Japan later this year and then presumably in Europe by 2010. Toyota is hoping to sell 100,000 of these urban microcars in the first year alone, and a stateside launch is at this point, a complete possibility.
Although the IQ appears to be tiny in size, it’s actually larger than a Smart ForTwo, 10 inches longer and almost 5 inches wider. Initially the Toyota IQ will use a gasoline engine along with an automated manual transmission, however there is speculation that Toyota will launch a hybrid electric version by 2011.
If Toyota did offer the IQ stateside it would be the first car that can give the Smart ForTwo a run for its money. I’ve never personally seen Smart becoming a mainstream success in the United States just because of its limited demographic and unbelievably small size (it’s out of the question for anyone with a family). As gas prices continue to rise however, anything can happen I guess.
It will be interesting to see the Toyota IQ and Smart ForTwo battle it out as lightweight champion. The Toyota IQ does prove one thing however, if you thought Mini Coopers were small, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
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Hi there Kevin,
I’m trying to find some information about where the iQ will be manufactured to judge what impact this has on it’s green credentials.
Do you know if the iQ will be built in and imported from Japan?
Hi Ian,
The following is from the Toyota IQ Press Kit
“Meanwhile, at its Takaoka Plant, where the iQ is being built, Toyota installed a new innovative assembly line.”
The IQ is available in Japan and will soon be available in Europe, are you looking at purchasing one?
Melissa