- The tiny Toyota iQ is being rebranded as a Scion for the American market.
- At 120 inches in total length, the iQ will be one of the smallest cars sold in the U.S.
- Because of its diminutive size, Toyota is outfitting the iQ with lots of safety gear, including 10 airbags.
NEW YORK — The Toyota iQ urban commuter already has undergone one permutation, resurfacing in Europe as the pricey Aston Martin Cygnet. Through another metamorphosis, the little hatchback is being transformed for the American market into the 2011 Scion iQ, arriving at U.S. dealers in early 2011.
For the U.S. market, the four-passenger iQ will be powered by Toyota's 90-horsepower 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine, driving the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Projected EPA city fuel economy will be "in the high 30s," according to Toyota.
When it hits these shores early next year, the iQ will be one of the smallest cars sold in the States. Measuring just 120 inches long overall, the baby Scion is nearly 4 feet shorter than its boxy stablemate, the Scion xB, although it is still 14 inches longer than the two-place Smart Fortwo.
To downplay the vehicle's ultra-compact dimensions, Toyota is fitting loads of standard safety gear, including stability and traction control, ABS with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, plus 10 airbags, including an industry-first rear-window air curtain.
Music lovers should enjoy the standard six-speaker audio system, which comes with USB and auxiliary inputs, as well as steering-wheel controls.
Inside Line says: Hopefully, it will be priced below the Cygnet. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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zetrad says:
01:02 PM, 08/31/2010
more like a washing machine...
k55 says:
09:52 AM, 04/14/2010
The Japanese have now made a MIQI. Put a turbo on her and a 6spd and I would be in for this. Is there a sport version coming soon?
arze73 says:
09:37 AM, 04/08/2010
Tuners are going to love the Aston Martin parts. Much like the G37 drivers and their SKYLINE parts
alex38 says:
03:26 AM, 04/02/2010
this is a cute car. If you are a guy driving this to school however, you might get beat up by the bullies for driving this..
jays83gsl says:
10:56 PM, 04/01/2010
I have to ask an idiot question: WTF does the "B" stand for?
zoomzoomn says:
06:14 AM, 04/01/2010
Eh, looks like an Aston Martin to me. :)
scottyscooter says:
03:51 AM, 04/01/2010
I think its going to be about a million times better than the Smart car...
carguy622 says:
08:10 PM, 03/31/2010
I would not want to be sitting in that back seat during a crash. Ouch.
I like the fact that they have child seat anchor points back there. You'd have to be nuts.
calspecial68 says:
04:55 PM, 03/31/2010
Its funny how they gave this car such an aggressive and sporty steering wheel. It looks out of place in this car(aside from the fact that everything else is supposed to be sporty as well).
Also, why is it all the rage now to design the instrument cluster after a motorcycle's?? Can anyone explain that? It looks interesting in a car, but i dont quite get it.
ed124c says:
04:24 PM, 03/31/2010
Sigh,
I guess really, really small cars can't have stick shifts. Probably OK, though. It is only a city car anyway.