Toyota's 56-MPG iQ Is Coming to America

[IDemo]

By Chuck Squatriglia
Wired News
October 13, 2008

Looks like Toyota is bringing the 56-mpg iQ microcar to America after all, but it's slapping a Scion badge on it first.

We first saw a production version of the lilliputian runabout at the Geneva Auto Show in March, at which point Toyota told us the car was designed for the Japanese and European markets and would not be coming to the states. But Motor Trend, citing unidentified sources, says the iQ is coming to America, albeit as a Scion, and we'll see it next month at the Los Angeles auto show.

It's a smart move, and putting the world's smallest four-seater in the Scion lineup makes a lot of sense.

Car magazine called the iQ the best concept of 2007 (.pdf) and "the most significant small car since the original Smart City Coupe back in 1997." Everything about it, from the shape of the dashboard to the placement of the gas tank, was designed to maximize interior room, and the iQ, like the Fiat 500 seems much bigger than it is.

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/10/toyotas-giving.html

[jdlh8894]

1. Will get appox. 40 when EPA is done w/it EOM

[rucky]

2. Cute, but I feel sorry for that guy in the back seat. n/t

[maxsolomon]

5. it will usually be a dog back there

or little kids.

hopefully the price will be 1/2 that of the smart car.

[spinbaby]

6. I don't think that's an entire guy

Probably just a disembodied head.

[IDemo]

7. I've gotta say, they should have kept that space free for cargo

even if only enough for two bags of groceries.

[pnutbutr]

3. price?

I'm curious and would probably end up going with the Yaris over this for a bit more car and 36mpg at $11k.

[IDemo]

8. "less than 15 grand", according to the article n/t

[DS1]

4. Looks like a guaranteed wheelchair for anyone riding the back if there's a good enough rear-ending

[Fumesucker]

9. A good enough rear ending and any vehicle becomes a death trap.

We were rear ended about fifteen years ago, I was driving and saw it coming in the mirror but had no time to tell my family.. I bent the steering wheel double I was shoving myself back in the seat so hard..

Over the years I have actually been rear ended three times.. My wife and daughter have both been rear ended once each also.

In a lot of cars the front seat backs aren't strong enough and they lay down flat in a rear end collision, that really causes a great many injuries and deaths that could be easily prevented.

[DS1]

12. Now picture your kids in the back of that

Sounds like they'd have been cut in two.

I'm one for technology and small cars, but that looks a bit extreme. Sure, it'll be fine for city commuting, but people will buy and drive it for highway use. And I think I'd rather hitch, then get in one of those.

[Fumesucker]

15. I hope you can continue to put gas in your Escalade... n/t

[DS1]

16. What a moronic reply.

My car is 10 years old and still gets 30 mpg.

[Fumesucker]

17. You're the one that started off being a jerk...

I was just responding in the mode you established.

I ride bicycles and motorcycles, neither have anywhere near the protection of the little Toyota.

I've also hitch hiked coast to coast.. Driving even a tiny car is far safer and more comfortable.

[DS1]

18. Wow, if that's being a jerk you should put me on ignore right away

[RadiationTherapy]

20. Holy jellyfish, Batman!

To the iQ, Robin!!...errr...you get in the back.

[NV Whino]

Took the words right out of my mouth

Toyota makes good, sturdy, safe cars, but I wouldn't want to be the rear passenger in a rear-ender.

[jdlh8894]

10. Don't worry

A Hummer will go over top!

[NV Whino]

11. !

:rofl:

[VoodooGuru]

13. a cute car for one or two people...

But in no way should it be used for more than that.

Click and Clack from Car Talk would say that this thing is a deathtrap. Of course, they say that about all small cars, and say that if you really want to save gas, buy a bigger, safer car and drive less.

[Ian David]

14. Ooh! I want one! n/t

[NightWatcher]

19. why is there a head in the trunk?

I'll stick with my Corolla (2006) that gets 35mpg