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:
Quote:
- 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.
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More details, and as always, decent commentary at GCC:
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008...-introduc.html