News: Toyota unveils production version of Smart car competitor

[MetroMPG]

via GCC: Toyota Introduces Production Version of iQ City Car

Clever packaging and redesign of key components lets Toyota put 4 seats in a tiny package. Okay, 3 and a half seats.

Will it show up in the US? Probably not. Canada? One can only hope - Toyota has a history of selling us some of their smaller cars before the US gets them.

Image shows main innovations used to squeeze the max interior volume from the vehicle:

• Newly developed differential. A newly developed differential allows the iQ to be built with short front overhangs

• Flat under-floor fuel tank with rear-angled shock absorbers. ... Historically, a flat tank was considered difficult to engineer successfully because of the variance in fuel surface levels depending on the angle of the car.
  

• Smaller heater/air conditioning unit.
  

• Asymmetric dashboard design provides sufficient space for the front passenger when the seat is set at its most forward position while comfortably accommodating an adult in the rear seat.
  

• Center take-off steering gear.
  

• Slimmer seat design - a further 40mm of rear passenger room at knee height so that rear passengers can sit more comfortably.

More details, and as always, decent commentary at GCC:

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008...-introduc.html

[Daox]

It'll be interesting to see what comes of this.

[johnpr]

looks interesting, but by golly they even made a rip on the smart car name (IQ -> inteligence -> smart yeah i derive to much from stuff)... all this from a company i normaly think of as being innovative..... hopefully it comes out though (bring it to the states!!)

[Red]

It looks like a rebadged Smart. Those back seats look worthless. But if Smart picks up well here, it would make sense for Yota to bring their version over here to the US

[tjts1]

I prefer the Aygo.

[boxchain]

What's different between this and the Aygo?

It'll never work in the US, not with a 'slim seat design'

[Peter7307]

Innovative as the Toyota offering is , I think the Mitsubishi iCar with 4 doors is a more promising option.

Pete.

[cfg83]

MetroMPG -

I saw these in Europe. Super cute and fit anywhere, just like the Smart. This is why the Smart is important. It makes other small cars viable in the USA. The Aygo may not make it in its current form, but the rumblings are a good sign.

CarloSW2

[Chris D.]

Originally Posted by cfg83

MetroMPG -

I saw these in Europe. Super cute and fit anywhere, just like the Smart. This is why the Smart is important. It makes other small cars viable in the USA. The Aygo may not make it in its current form, but the rumblings are a good sign.

CarloSW2

when did you see these?

Autoblog

I cant find any mpg estimates or engine information..