Timing is everything, and it appears that Canadians will be getting Toyota’s hip, young Scion brand just before its coolest car comes to market. The iQ micro-car is expected to arrive as a 2011 model late next year, or as a 2012, the year after, says Motor Trend magazine.
Sold in Japan as a Toyota, the rebadged iQ is exactly what’s needed to pull fuel-conscious, green-minded buyers into Scion showrooms. Gasoline powered via two engines in its home market and the UK, ranging between 1.0 and 1.3 litres, plus a 1.4-litre diesel, the iQ will also get an all-electric drivetrain by 2012 that is capable of 50 miles after an 8-hour charge from a standard wall plug.
Priced similarly to the Toyota Yaris hatchback, it is expected to receive slightly longer bumpers to meet North American crash protection standards, plus revised airbags.
The iQ will go up against regular subcompact models from rival automakers, but specifically it targets the smart fortwo in North America. More accommodating than the smart car, with 3+1 seats instead of only two, and with expected reliability much higher, the iQ should sell extremely well.
Toyota first introduced the iQ as a concept city car at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show and later revealed the production version at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show, with Japanese sales beginning in October 2008 and UK sales in January 2009. A concept car was also show in New York in April 2009.
According to Toyota, the i stands for "individuality" "innovation" and "intelligence," while the Q stands for "quality" and points to the iQ's "cubic" shape and "cues" a new value and lifestyle in the automotive market.
The iQ was initially designed at Toyota Europe Design Development (Toyota ED2), Toyota's design studio in Nice, France.
This week, British luxury sports car maker Aston Martin said it plans to sell a redesigned version of Toyota’s iQ ultra-compact car in Europe.
Aston Martin, whose cars have been driven by the Royal Family and cinema superspy James Bond, said the vehicle, to be called the Cygnet, would be “a new luxury commuter concept.”
“Much work is still required, but I am confident that this project could become reality in the not too distant future,” says Aston Martin chief executive Ulrich Bez.
“This concept — akin to an exclusive tender to a luxury yacht — will allow us to apply Aston Martin design language, craftsmanship and brand values to a completely new segment of the market.”
Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, will supply the vehicle to Aston Martin through its Belgium-based subsidiary Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA.
The Japanese maker said it would also introduce a new, sporty version of the four-seater iQ, as well as models aimed at women and young drivers.
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