Daily Auto News Toyota Introducing Smart-Fighting Tiny Car to U.S. — As a Scion
Daily Auto News
Motor Trend has an exclusive report this morning that “Rumors that Toyota will send its iQ super subcompact to America appear to be true — with one twist. Our sources indicate the iQ will debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in November not as a Toyota, but as the latest addition to the Scion lineup.” The iQ is brand new in Europe for the 2009 model year. In the U.S., it will probably be a 2010 model.
The tiny iQ CNET notes, is “117.5 inches long–just a tad longer than a Smart ForTwo.” It “was designed and developed for congested European capitals.”
With two doors, the iQ technically seats four — but it’s difficult to imagine anyone larger than a toddler being comfortable in its “back seat.” Still, the Smart has been a wild sales success in the U.S., and we can easily imagine a similar product with Toyota’s reputation for reliability doing very well.
When it comes to the U.S., the microcar will include Toyota’s newly-developed rear airbag, potentially giving it a safety advantage over the Mercedes-Benz-built Smart
Motor Trend comments, “Not only is the iQ a perfect demographic fit for the young and hip urban dweller Scion has targeted since day one, it slots nicely into its lineup as the entry level offering.” They expect to see the model “positioned under $15,000.”
We listed the iQ’s predecessor, the Aygo, as one of the Top 7 Cars You Can’t Buy in the U.S. Now, let’s see if we can talk Alfa Romeo into giving us the Mi.To…
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