toyota's new IQ is 29cm longer and 12cm's wider then a smart and can seat twice asmany people...to fit four seats.in a car less then 3m's long.and still make it work.they had to jiggle about with the mechanicals.from the layout to the transmission.to the shape of the fuel tank.toyota say there r 6 steps of innovation.that can make a car work...
1-a new front mounted differential.that allows extra space:
By putting the differential infront of the motor.Toyota managed to shrink the engine compartment and pushed the wheels right out to the corners. it does feel good fun though.. it does about 65mpg.. with a 1.0L 3cylinder engine from toyota aygo..with 65bhp.
2-Ace metric dashboard deign. with a sliding seat cofguration:
Toyota says a 190cm adult and can sit behind a 190cm adult sitting in front. so sit in the passenger seat and adjust the seat so that my knees just dont touch the dash. will i fit in the back. Yes i do. there is plenty of space.. actually i m quite comfortable.
3-New ultra slim seats.for extra space:
now compared to yaris these seats are acutally 40mm thiner and 30% lighter. but r they less comfortable. Lets find out.and i have to say no these r really really comfortable. They r actually very firm well made and well shaped.
4- Low profile under floor fuel tank:
Now usually fuel tanks r mounted under the back seats or in the boot. well the IQ it hasnt really got a boot. so in this case. its actually mounted under the car... and well its about 12cm high. and has a capacity of 32Litres.
which is useful.
5- A 20% smaller heater and airconditioning Unit:
usually the air conditioning and heating units r kinda stuffed up under the pessenger foot area.and kinda takes some space. But wht toyota have done actually they have shrunkd up the whole thing down by 20%.and moved it into the middle of the centre console.which just basically gives u more space.in the pessenger side. " why arnt all cars designed by thig ".eh.
and finnally .
6- Centre takeoff stearing for added compantness/compatness.
By applying a bit of mechano philosophy Toyota managed to mount the stearing system above the engine. instead of around it. so front of the car is shorter. The iQ is about 9,490 pounds. in the UK for the base model. and it handles like a normal car. and is actually quite good .. Its not quite a mini. Its actually brilliant.
U know its easy to fall in love with some thing big, fat and expensive. But after a couple of days of drining the iQ . I have completely fallen for it.The design is brilliant. The packaging is so clever. Its not just a city car. its a proper car. I m not going to far by saying this could be toyota's icon. but really this could be toyota's Icon..
Its a review by fifth gear. by that fat guy with curly called TOM.
i guess i would simply say.. this is indeed a great car ... and very brilliantly engineered.
i hope u like the review.