The Toyota iQ was first introduced as a concept city car in 2007 at the Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany. Toyota revealed the production version of the Toyota iQ at the Geneva Auto Show in 2008 in Switzerland. Japanese sales began in October 2008. UK sales began in January 2009. The vehicle has not gone on sale in South Africa (my home country). It was named the 2008 car of the year in Japan. The Toyota iQ is a 3 door hatchback and is less than 3 metres (117 inches) in length, making it one of the smallest 4 seater cars in the world. The car has been released in a 1.0 litre and 1.33 litre petrol version. It has also been released in an 1.4 litre diesel version. This might not look like a very safe car, but this car is fitted with 9 airbags: 2 frontal airbags, front seat-mounted side torso airbags, side curtain airbags, front passenger seat cushion airbag, a driver’s knee airbag and a newly developed rear curtain airbag. Vehicle Stability Control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution is standard.
Smaller and more fuel efficient cars seem to be a trend in today’s automative market. It looks like Toyota has decided to get into this as well. In my opinion they’ve done a good job with the Toyota iQ. This vehicle has been rumored to be the basis of the new Toyota Yaris. I’m sure in a few years from now motorists will swop their old cars for small cars like this one or just sell their cars in the classifieds. Brace yourself for smaller car designs and better fuel economy, it’s closer than you think.
