I gotta say, I like it (the actual car, not the concept above). Nice design inside and out, and with just that little bit more added practicality, it allows the iQ to truly be an only car without compromises and therefore appeal to a much wider audience.
My concerns are with how it drives. I hate the dynamics of FWD cars, and Toyotas as a whole are boring behind the wheel. With the iQ having the upper hand in terms of practicality, smart needs to capitalize on sporting aspects and get a turbo over here ASAP.
It's funny how the moron that took the pictures in the link did not do any justice with what they should be showing ppl. They showed all the cool stuff but did nto show ANY Seats. WTF? Don't show the back seat, heck not even the front seats. Pretty useless picture show. If you buy the stupid car because it looks cool, more power too ya. Or even for a better warranty. I can get one of those after market warrantys that is better then any dealer. I still won't trade mine in for some stupid Toyota or Scion. When Scion came to the US I thought the cars looks lame as hell. Just my opion, but everyone has one. Kind of like those that bought that Yaris, the Prius, or any other ugly cars. They 42 is still the cutest, coolest car out there period. Like you said, get rid of the darn back seat. Only very tiny midgets could fit 4, (No disrespect to midgets). It is not made for US sized ppl. Take out the back and then you have a functioning back trunk area. Like you said for MPG, Euro MPG is way diff then ours, it has been posted so many times it is lame to even mention it. So they say 38, is that US tested or Euro tested. And yes, Euro has way higher Octane so it would perform better. They have 95, I have even seen 97 while in Germany. I will stick with my Smart until they pry the keys from my dead cold hands.
I was fortunate enough to see a production version of the Scion IQ in Torrance and, again, what you saw at the auto show is NOT what's showing up at the dealers. It is virtually identical to the UK-spec IQ (inside and out). I would never really use the back seat so the additional space is great... we saw how with the front seat folded flat you can fit a mountain bike and close the hatch. Pricing will be below the Xd. Also, it will be available with a stick or CVT and while it will have the bigger motor, they're expecting MPG (city in particular) to be better than what you're hearing. On the outside, I have to say, it's slightly longer but in person it appears very masculine and on the inside it certainly feels wider.
I think the big deal here is that it's a proper car (as Americans know them) so there are few compromises besides the size: Engine in the front, HUGE dealer network, conventional transmissions, Bluetooth/Cruise/Nav/great radio. And in person its very attractive. These aren't hits on our smarts... just pointing out I suspect when it comes on the scene it will be much harder to justify a smart fortwo. And, yes, a convertible is on the way as well.
Yup. I've been skimming data about the overseas and US-spec IQ for months. My '08 Passion was originally expected to be replaced by a '10 Passion.
If the '10 IQ arrives as anticipated, however, I'll likely be changing my mind. Particularly if the IQ, with upgrades/options remains reasonably-priced for the US market.
SmartHHO, I may give up my smart before you..."until they pry the keys from my dead cold hands"... BIT MUCH!
but I am not going to change my smarty for an IQ... Thats not the issue here, the issue I have is with smart's stubborn way of thinking. they have not looked at the aftermarket to push the 4/2 beyond novelty. Smart HQ should be motivating the public to think outside the box with their FORWARD thinking car.. they should help us promote their car by enabling us or sponsoring us in our quest to make every one feel how we feel about our cars.
Think about it, do you guys chat on-line about every car you own??? I don't! but I'm constantly on about 5 forums all related to the 4/2.. that passion we have for these cars needs to be spread by smart with some clever advertising like they have in Europe. It still ticks me off to hear some Idiot say "ain't that one of them Tata cars from India?"..." is it street legal?" I paid good money for the car and feel I should not have to educate everyone on the smart cars... because SmartUSA doesn't want to spend a dime on that sort of thing... Hell pay me by giving me a free 10,000 or 20,000 mile check up. Lord knows how many 4/2s I've personally sold for them.. on my time and dime!
I was fortunate enough to see a production version of the Scion IQ in Torrance and, again, what you saw at the auto show is NOT what's showing up at the dealers. It is virtually identical to the UK-spec IQ (inside and out). I would never really use the back seat so the additional space is great... we saw how with the front seat folded flat you can fit a mountain bike and close the hatch. Pricing will be below the Xd. Also, it will be available with a stick or CVT and while it will have the bigger motor, they're expecting MPG (city in particular) to be better than what you're hearing. On the outside, I have to say, it's slightly longer but in person it appears very masculine and on the inside it certainly feels wider.
I think the big deal here is that it's a proper car (as Americans know them) so there are few compromises besides the size: Engine in the front, HUGE dealer network, conventional transmissions, Bluetooth/Cruise/Nav/great radio. And in person its very attractive. These aren't hits on our smarts... just pointing out I suspect when it comes on the scene it will be much harder to justify a smart fortwo. And, yes, a convertible is on the way as well.
Honestly, if this is true I think the benefits of this car are pretty substantial. Before my Smart I drove a Yaris hatchback. It was pretty much standard-everything, which sucked, but it felt very solid and had a great suspension and a really smooth transmission.
If the iQ can handle the road like the Yaris did, while keeping the things I love about my Smart like the size, gas mileage, and overall head-turnage, then I will seriously consider getting one.
I was fortunate enough to see a production version of the Scion IQ in Torrance and, again, what you saw at the auto show is NOT what's showing up at the dealers. It is virtually identical to the UK-spec IQ (inside and out). I would never really use the back seat so the additional space is great... we saw how with the front seat folded flat you can fit a mountain bike and close the hatch. Pricing will be below the Xd. Also, it will be available with a stick or CVT and while it will have the bigger motor, they're expecting MPG (city in particular) to be better than what you're hearing. On the outside, I have to say, it's slightly longer but in person it appears very masculine and on the inside it certainly feels wider.
I think the big deal here is that it's a proper car (as Americans know them) so there are few compromises besides the size: Engine in the front, HUGE dealer network, conventional transmissions, Bluetooth/Cruise/Nav/great radio. And in person its very attractive. These aren't hits on our smarts... just pointing out I suspect when it comes on the scene it will be much harder to justify a smart fortwo. And, yes, a convertible is on the way as well.
Where are you getting your information?
1. Nothing is showing up at the dealers. Right now there are no plans to bring this car to the US.
2. Since they haven't made a decision to bring the car here yet & haven't worked out the details of what to bring if & when they do Including a convertible), you can't possibly know what the pricing will be. Nor can you know what the spec's will be. In February at the Geneva Auto Show, Toyota announced a new iQ for the Europe. So, why would they use the current UK spcs on a new US version?
3. "They're" expecting the mpg to be better than what I'm hearing? They?I'm hearing it from them! It was the Scion rep at the NY Auto Show who reported that the new Toyota iQ now being released in Europe is rated at 38 mpg (US). That's the reference that they at Scion are using are using for fuel economy. They have nothing else to use because a Scion iQ for the US doesn't exist even in prototype. I don't know how they would expect to get better fuel economy than the new Toyota iQ with the 1.33 liter engine after it is modified to meet US safety & emissions standards. The new Toyota iQ is already 152 pounds heavier than the old version - which means reduced fuel economy. Add even more weight with US required safety & emissions equipment and the mpg will be reduced even further - not to mention the reduction in fuel efficiency which results from the emissions equipment itself.
Last edited by Bill Marshall; 04-17-2009 at 07:06 AM.
Scion's iQ concept is a new urban vehicle with a revolutionary package that is just over 10 feet in length and accommodates three plus luggage....high emotional value.
Concept = not ready Urban Vehicle = not enough power and pickup for the interstates Three plus = not a 4 seater high emotional value =
The iQ employs a glove bag, with the same textured, honeycomb fabric as the front and rear seats, that can be easily snapped on and off for storage or additional legroom = Poor pasenger Legroom
Rear seating can accommodate one adult behind the front passenger and a child, small package, or pet behind the driver = That had better be one small kid, I wonder if they take into acout the child safety seat an the fact the kid will be kicking the drivers seat.
+ No mention of MPG in the arical
Favorite Comments -
Oh, dear. It appears that someone's left a Yaris in the microwave
Someone is referencing the old Spree joke - Fun to ride but wouldn't want to be seen on it.
Reminds me of the Fiat 500 - With a bit more Pikachu
Yup. I've been skimming data about the overseas and US-spec IQ for months. My '08 Passion was originally expected to be replaced by a '10 Passion.
If the '10 IQ arrives as anticipated, however, I'll likely be changing my mind. Particularly if the IQ, with upgrades/options remains reasonably-priced for the US market.
At the NY auto Show, Scion reps said no iQ for 2010. I wouldn't hold my breath for its arrival here. This is a crazy car market right now.
At this time a year ago, you had to put your name on a waiting list to get a Prius - if you could find a dealer who was willing to even have a waiting list. Toyota had plans to build a Prius dedicated factory in Mississippi exclusively for the US market. Now Toyota lots are stocked with Priuses they can't sell & plans for the US Prius factory have been scrapped. Scion is part of this same company.
This is a very volatile market - one in which it is very difficult to guage consumer wants. I have to think that a lot of corporate plans are on hold until they can get a better grasp on what will sell AND on what gas prices will be. Everyone wants the economy to turn around & wants consumers to start spending again. When that happens, factories will start producing all kinds of consumer goods again, demand for oil will go back up, & gas prices will spike again. Car sales will once again lurch in a new direction. But no one knows when that will happen. Until then, a US iQ will likely remain a concept only.
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