smart vs. IQ (in France/French) - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

**JPaul** · 02-27-2009, 02:55 PM

In short, the 10 years reign of the micro car smart is over. Comparative article published today be the French daily «Le Figaro» titled "two fleas in town":
Le Figaro - Automobile : Toyota iQ contre Smart*: deux puces dans la ville

My apologies about it being in French. The article is too long for me to translate. (I know, I've been scolded about posting francophone links, but I thought that it may interest some of you nonetheless. If I get enough pleas, I may write a synopsis.)

**JPaul** · 02-27-2009, 02:58 PM

First paragraphs:

Quote:

La suprématie exercée sur la cité par la petite franco-allemande est remise en question par une japonaise très maligne.

Nul règne n'est éternel. Celui de la Smart sur la voiture de ville a tenu dix ans. Une suprématie presque sans partage, les plus proches de ses rivaux étant les voiturettes sans permis et les scooters. La minuscule auto franco-allemande trouve aujourd'hui sur son chemin l'iQ de Toyota. iQ pour, en anglais, «quotient intellectuel», excusez du peu.

Les deux places de l'arrière de l'iQ. Les vitres postérieures en forme de hublots confèrent à cette partie de l'habitacle une ambiance de capsule spatiale.

Cette petite maligne tient-elle ses promesses ? Oui, oui, et non. Oui, l'iQ se révèle supérieure, et sur bien des points, à la reine Smart. Oui, elle est très à l'aise en ville tout en ne rechignant pas à sortir hors de ses murs. Mais non, elle ne surclasse pas totalement la Smart sur son royaume de pierre et de bitume. Là où chaque centimètre a de l'importance, l'iQ en compte près de trente de plus que son adversaire, qui elle-même en a pris une vingtaine par rapport à sa première version. En plus, l'iQ est large, très large, autant qu'une auto «normale».

**jwight** · 02-27-2009, 05:23 PM

Apologies for the mangled Google translation:

"Exercised supremacy over the city by early Franco-German is called into question by a Japanese very malignant.

No one is eternal reign. That of the Smart car on the city held ten years. Supremacy almost without sharing nearest rivals being unlicensed carts and scooters. The tiny self Franco-German is now on its way to the Toyota iQ. iQ for, in English, "IQ", excuse the lack.

The two seats from the rear of the iQ. The windows in the shape of post sidescuttles give this part of the cabin atmosphere from space capsule.

This small malignant Does its promises? Yes, yes and no. Yes, the iQ is higher, and in many respects to the queen Smart. Yes, she is very comfortable in town, but does not reluctant to break out of its walls. But no, it does not totally outclasses the Smart on his kingdom of stone and bitumen. Where every inch was important, the iQ into account almost thirty more than his opponent, which itself took a score from its first version. In addition, the iQ is large, very large, as much as an auto "normal".

**JPaul** · 02-27-2009, 05:40 PM

Google's translation doesn't jive with me. Sorry, John, I have to write my own interpretation:

Quote:

The Franco-German little one's supremacy in town is now questioned by a "smart" Japanese.

No reign is eternal. smart's on city cars lasted 10 years. Almost a monopoly, the nearest competitors being license-free tiny cars and scooters. The diminutive Franco-German has now a competitor: the Toyota IQ, for Intelectual Quotient, pardon the pun.

The two tiny seats at the back of the IQ. The two port-holes give that part of the cabin an air of space capsule.

Does the 'smart' little one holds up to its promises. Yes, Yes, et No. Yes, the IQ is better, on many fronts, than the queen smart. Very handy in town without relinquishing getting out of it. But no, it doesn't totally outclasses the smart in its kingdom of stone and asphalt. Where every inch counts, the IQ has almost 12 more than its rival, wich in turns got an extra 8 above its first rendition. Furthermore, the IQ is wide, very wide, as wide as a "normal" car.

It may be a bit better, I hope.

**jwight** · 02-27-2009, 05:46 PM

"I love it when a plan comes together."

Thanks!

**JPaul** · 02-27-2009, 06:00 PM

Comparative numbers [metric], first the IQ VVT-i -- second the passion 71hp:

Quote:

iQ VVT-i -- Smart Coupé Passion mhd 71 ch

Engine : 3 cyl., 998 -- 999 cm³.

Power : 68 ch à 6 000 tr/min -- 71 ch à 5 800 tr/min.

Torque : 91 Nm à 4 800 tr/min -- 92 Nm à 4 500 tr/min.

Gearbox : manuelle 5 rap. ou variateur -- robotisée 5 rap.

Bakes : disques ; disques -- tambours, ABS, ESP.

Size : 2 985 × 1 680 × 1 500 mm -- 2 695 × 1 559 × 1 542 mm.

Trunk : 32 l [!!!] -- 220 l.

Weight : 845 à 895 kg -- 750 kg.

Acceleration 0-100 km/h : 14,7/15,5 s (variateur) -- 13,3 s.

Top speed : 150 km/h -- 145 km/h.

Mileage [those are liters/100 km.]: 4,3 l/4,7 l (variateur) -- 4,7 l (mixte CEE).

CO2 : 99/110 g/km (variateur) -- 112 g/km.

Price : à partir de 12 980 € (+ 1 100 € si variateur) -- 12 400 € .

Nice for the iQ : conception, road behavior, comfort, fun.

Nice for the SMART : unique charm, agility, inside feeling, trim.

To be correct, for the iQ : inside material cheap, irritating details (radio).

To be corrected, for the SMART : brake pedal, heavy steering, gearshift still slow.

You get the idea.

smark · 02-27-2009, 06:17 PM

Go buy a Motor Trend March 2008. There's is a 4 page spread on the IQ. Looking at the french site, the IQ looks like my front loader Whirlpool washer, next to the Smart. I just read the french site on my Mac translator. It comes up in parts and pieces.