Toyota iQ greens by shrinking
Displayed at the Geneva International Motor Show this month, Toyota’s new iQ is following a recent trend by manufacturers (Tata, Audi, Subaru, Mitsubishi) to take their smallest models and shrink them even further. The iQ, with is 3+1 seating capacity, was received so well that it will go into production in late 2008.
3+1 seats? Well, most people have heard of a 2+2 configuration, like you would find in the Audi TT (which incidentally was launched with a diesel engine at Geneva). The iQ offers full adult seating for the driver and passenger at all times, while a shift forward by the front passenger seat reveals another adult-sized seat behind it as well as a minute (+1) seat behind the driver. Thus, 3+1!
Toyota has used other innovative (which is what the “i” in iQ stands for) vehicle packaging techniques to fit the vehicle with room for 3 or 4 while retaining similar exterior dimensions to the two-seater Smart ForTwo.
Mechanical innovations include: 1) a gearbox differential smaller than on previous small cars, saving the vehicle from a large front overhang; and 2) a flat, under-floor fuel tank saving the vehicle from a large rear overhang.
Interior innovations include: 1) ultra-slim seats from one-piece moulding processes releasing 40mm of rear legroom; and 2) a storage tray under the rear seat reduced additional vehicle length to accommodate luggage space.
Mechanical and interior innovations combined result in a package small enough to reduce traffic but large enough to carry 3 or 4 passengers. Added to this, two petrol and one diesel engine emitting around
100g/km of CO2, the environmental cost in transporting a family has been significantly reduced.
All in all, Toyota has been able to go green without making a “green” vehicle. By shrinking a model aimed at doing what many of its other products do – transport one or two people in town every day – it is helping clean up the air. Worldwide sales are pegged at 100,000 units per annum – I can see no reason why it will not be reached.
Will Toyota bring this vehicle to South Africa? Unlikely. It took them long enough to get the Yaris here and discontinue the Tazz. The iQ will, like the Tata Nano, would come to South Africa at a higher price than touted elsewhere due to domestic needs from cars requiring additional investment. As a result, Toyota might see the iQ as being too expensive and possibly taking sales away from the Yaris. Pity, isn’t it….
Source: www.carbodydesign.com
By Christie Viljoen
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I would give anything for the iQ to come to SA, Please contact me regarding this car, is it definitely not coming or is there still a change for the iQ to come to SA?