- Toyota will introduce a production-ready version of its iQ-based EV at the Geneva show.
- Toyota plans to begin leasing the battery-powered minicar in 2012 to customers in Europe and the U.S.
- The car was shown originally as the FT-EV concept at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.
GENEVA — A battery-powered version of Toyota's iQ minicar is nearing production. The Japanese automaker will introduce the latest iteration of the iQ EV next month at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show, as it prepares to lease the car in 2012 to customers in Europe and the U.S.
The predecessor of iQ EV was unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show as the FT-EV concept. It was updated later that year at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show as the FT-EV II.
The latest version is a four-seater with a new, flat lithium-ion battery pack that provides a driving range of up to 65 miles between charges and fits under the floor without compromising passenger or cargo space.
In a statement, Toyota said: "The EV prototype is being put through testing on European roads this year, with a potential market introduction through a leasing program in 2012. Toyota has already announced its plans to bring the car to market in the U.S. and is also investigating its viability in other regions."
The U.S. version may be marketed initially under the Scion sub-brand.
Inside Line says: Depending on pricing, the iQ EV could be a potent competitor to the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and Nissan Leaf. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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k55 says:
11:56 AM, 02/20/2011
sure hope they decide to bring out a manual transmission sport version of the normal IQ........and get it released already.
dgmail says:
03:22 AM, 02/18/2011
If Smart couldn't sell any of its ugly sub compact micro cars here, you would have to be pretty stupid to think that these Recall Motors Toyotas, will take off.
Or be import blind like the Leinerts
hotrodw says:
11:35 AM, 02/17/2011
So will Aston Martin be re-branding this version, too? Cygnet-E? (Say it fast so it sounds properly exotic. Sig-net-ee.)
northsparrow says:
11:06 AM, 02/17/2011
At this rate the electric IQ might well get here before the regular IQ. With the gas IQ being laden with a CVT it might just be better to bypass it anyway.