Toyota will launch its iQ in the European market in January next year. Toyota iQ small car that is environmentally friendly, although no electricity, with CO2 emission starting ar 99g/km. Two models will be available, backed by a 1.0 liter VVT-i petrol engine and the other with the machine 1.4 liter D-4D. Both onform with Euro IV regulations.
A pair of drivers from Toyota's UK based 'iQ blog' managed to break through 500 miles with a standard iQ 1.0-litre VVT-i (that's the petrol engine version) on a single tank of fuel. Mark and Simon from the 'iQ blog' traveled to 18 cities in two days on a route that took them as far west as Cardiff and as far north as Wolverhampton. In theory, since the official fuel economy of the iQ is rated at 65.7 UK mpg / 54.7 US mpg, the full 32-liter tank should have gone dry once they covered a distance of 462 miles.
However, and in spite of the fact that the two drivers said that they had to deal with wind, rain, congestion and the need to run the heater, headlights and wipers � factors that have a negative impact on fuel economy, the car managed 504.2 miles before the ending of its journey in central Oxford. Put the numbers together and that translates to an average of 71.6 UK mpg or 59.42 US mpg.
Even though the team's driving style was evidently focused on achieving a low fuel consumption, nevertheless, the end result is impressive since we're talking about real-life road conditions.
One day before the Detroit Show's doors open to the members of the press, and Toyota published the first photographs of its battery-electric FT-EV concept car that previews a forthcoming production version expected to hit the market by 2012. As you have probably already guessed by looking at the pictures, the FT-EV is based on Toyota's new urban dweller, the iQ. Toyota supports in its teaser release that the FT-EV concept "can be driven up to 50 miles between home, work and other forms of public transportation, such as high-speed rail." Not much, but stay tuned on Carscoop as well have more details on the FT-EV Concept car as soon they come in. For the time being, check out the high-res image gallery of Toyota's battery-electric concept minicar.
The creative folks over at Japan's Best Car magazine have come up with what appears to be a computer enhanced image that gives us an idea of what a Toyota iQ Cabriolet could look like if such a version were to be produced. While rumors across the pond make word of a more sporty roadster version of the iQ (see here), Best Car seems to believe that Toyota would most likely go for a more simple approach removing the front and rear parts of the hatchback's rooftop, leaving a center section that would not only act as a safety roll-bar, but also add to the structural integrity of the vehicle.
Since there aren't any other changes, the iQ would probably be able to squeeze in 3 adults and 1 child, making it the world's smallest production four-seater convertible.
Despite the fact that we have no official confirmation that Toyota is indeed planning to introduce a 3+1 convertible variant, we cannot see why the Japanese automaker wouldn't consider the development of a drop-top iQ especially since the minicar is scheduled to make its way into the States as a Scion -read more details here.
Pic via: Best Car
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