Yahoo say Toyota IQ in showrooms later this year!

[curtis]

This Yahoo article says IQ is headed to a showroom this year....does this mean USA?
sounds like it...but I doubt it
Toyota Promises More Hybrids, New Microcar - GoodCleanTech

[jefferios]

Interesting, seats four (very tight) And a little more cargo space. But I bet safety will be way worse.

Price may be cheaper. Who knows what the fuel economy is.

[saskdiesel]

I think we will see micro cars from all the Japanese manufacturers as they have been producing them for years.
Maybe even from Detroit.

[bottlerocket]

Originally Posted by curtis

This Yahoo article says IQ is headed to a showroom this year....does this mean USA?
sounds like it...but I doubt it
Toyota Promises More Hybrids, New Microcar - GoodCleanTech

08' for Europe, 2010 for the US

[jkirsch]

Yep, it is timed to show up on these shores in the Spring of 2010 - probably the week after I take delivery of a smart. ;)

Still, it'll be cool seeing all of these little cars buzzing around.

Also, Toyota is describing it as a 3-1/2 seater.

Jeff in Atlanta

[JPaul]

What is a three and a half seater?

Moved thread to the car lounge since it's not smart related. Thank you!

[Smartdavis]

Anything over 9 feet is boring. Smart's unique because of it's incredibly small size.

[curtis]

Yeah, I kind of thought it would be in '10 for USA but they were a bit misleading. Also I had read that the the back seat would have a sideways seat or something like that... I still think toyota ruined the look of it after the concept IQ looked so cool.

[stan1174]

Originally Posted by Smartdavis

Anything over 9 feet is boring. Smart's unique because of it's incredibly small size.

exactly. the smart was designed to be super short at all costs. yes the smart doesn't have a spare and yes it only seats two but if the smart engineers has the extra foot in length that the IQ has, a spare and an extra seat or two would not be a problem. the IQ is a compromise to sell more cars.

[jkirsch]

Originally Posted by JPaul

What is a three and a half seater?

Three seats, plus a seat behind the driver for a child or luggage. Toyota calls it "3+1" seating. I prefer "3-1/2".

Jeff