Last Update on : June 9, 2008
Toyota iQ in its final stages of testing before it goes on sale in November.
.jpg) This is the world’s smallest four seater, the Toyota iQ, in its final stages of testing before it goes on sale in November.
Toyota needn’t have bothered with the disguise; the production version of the iQ was revealed at the Geneva motor show back in March.
It’s just 2895mm long and uses a unique 3+1 seating system allowing three adults and one child to sit comfortably despite it Smart-like proportions.
It’s an ingeniously packaged little city car. The front passenger seat is positioned further forward than the driver’s seat so an adult can sit behind the passenger. A compact air conditioning system allows a much slimmer dashboard, and the fuel tank is just 120mm deep. The transmission has also been redesigned so the driveshafts exit forward of the engine’s centre line, allowing the front wheels to be mounted further forward.
Full details about the iQ’s range of engines will emerge later, although company insiders have confirmed that both petrol and diesel motors will be available. Toyota has also promised that at least one high-efficiency version will emit just 99g/km of CO2 – that means it will be exempt from road tax in Britain.
The Japanese giant expects to sell around 100,000 examples of its smallest model in Europe alone. Prices will start from £11k.
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