Toyota iQ Concept
September 16, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
The world’s most successful manufacturer, has come out with an ultra-compact iQ concept. Toyota believes the iQ represents the needs of inner-city motorists looking for a compact, reliable, short and environmentally friendly vehicle.
Best suited to the small streets of Europe, the iQ was developed at Toyota’s advanced European design studio in the south of France. Less than three meters in length (770mm shorter than the Yaris and nearly 1M shorter than the new Mazda2), the IQ appears small from the outside, but it can seat four adults (or three adults and luggage space).
The exterior is nothing over the top, meaning there is a good chance Toyota will bring out a production model in the future, from the photos it’s obvious the width of the vehicle is a great contrast with its short length.
Riding on 17-inch wheels, the iQ is far from a simple A->B car. From the inside, the mock snake-skin steering wheel trim, purple interior trim accents and purple styling themes carried over into the seats, door trims and dashboard make the iQ concept a friendly and touchable car.
Interior space is divided by a radical and intelligent 3+1 seating concept, with a dashboard that swoops away from the front passenger, this seat has been given extra freedom of movement.
With only two occupants the driver and passenger sit side by side, but when it’s time for more company, the front passenger seat can be moved in a more forward position allowing more room and easier access to the rear area.
The instrument pod sits atop the main dashboard with a 3D, 3-in-1 display of speed, engine rpm and fuel status mounted above the steering column while controls for audio and navigation functions are on the steering wheel itself.
But it gets better, the car also comes with an integrated GPS system which sits within the driver’s vision but is see-through when turned off! Meanwhile, a panoramic glass sun-roof ensures plenty of light and adds to the sense that passengers are not confined within a conventional compartment.
Tags: Toyota iQ
It looks a lot better than the Smart ForTwo.
Yeah, and probably a lot more reliable.
Whats with the use of putting “i” in front of the name. Apple Inc started it now nearly everything is using it even car manufacturers. Pretty soon we’ll have a iSink and a iDunny. Too bad the designers dont have enough iQ to think of a better name.
It’s wonderful you can get 4 small adults in a 10ft long car
MINI drivers have been getting 4 full size adults in a smaller car for 50 years!
iNcredible
iMagine that? 4 people in a small car. Perfect for the iNner City. Wonder where that iDea came from.
hmmmm
coooooooooooooool!!!!!!!!!!!!1
ghgfggggggggggggg
Paint it green and it’d look like an afid.
Have Toyota published specifications for the iq? Can’t seem to find anything on engine size and performance. I’d appreciate a steer in the right direction.