IQ Press Reviews

A real looker with high iQ

Toyota have shaken oftheir rather staid image with a funky small car that's sure to turn heads, writes Campbell Spray

THERE is a great phrase in Japanese that underpins the spirit of Toyota; it is genchi-genbutsu, which means "go to the source": Don't rely on hearsay, idle speculation or the litterings on your brain's floor. If you want to know something, produce a car or write an article you must go out and see the real world and understand what you are after.

And so it was when Toyota decided to produce a small car for an urban generation. During a number of visits to Europe, the Japanese engineers were intrigued to discover just how many cities were offering parking spaces for cars less than three metres, which currently only the drivers of the Smart can use. This helped Toyota to define both its goal and final packaging - a car that can comfortably hold four people but be under three metres long. So the iQ was born and it was unveiled for testing at its launch in the crowded streets of Milan last week. The car is a design and engineering marvel: A real looker that reminds you of a Manta Ray. Despite its small length, the good width allows two big people to sit in good comfort up front. The two rear seats can be used but if a large adult is on one of them the front passenger must move forward quite considerably. And it will always be a choice between luggage and passengers.

Yet this is where the iQ is aimed: it isn't a car for families but is after two groups which Toyota has identified as "New Yuppies" for whom style and design are the most important considerations, and "Responsible Socialites" who are looking for new experiences and challenges and who are fashion oriented. It is a vehicle that will compete head-to-head with the Fiat 500 and Mini, although both those cars go out of their way to emphasise their funkiness. The iQ will set out a more practical stall. However, what was the real surprise from such a small car was its wonderful driveability. Except for its great manoeuvrability, courtesy of a tiny turning circle, the iQ never feels like a small car. The one-litre petrol engine is full of pep and will hold its own on motorways with a very confident stance. And for that extra peace of mind there are nine air bags! The iQ is part of Toyota's new small car strategy which aims to rethink vehicle packaging in which downsizing and reducing the weight of every major component is the catalyst. The company says that it aimed for a car with A-segment dimensions which would outperform a B-segment car and have the interior and exterior quality in line with a C-segment car. I think they may have succeeded. There is also ultralow fuel consumption and C02 emissions of 99g/km, It will be well-specced, although I am disappointed that the basic entry grade won't have air-con as standard. I think "New Yuppies" paying €14,OOO for a very small car will demand it.

I really like the car, it might not be totally practical for me but it isn't far off, and because of its normal height it is also an awful lot easier to get in and out of than the Mini or Fiat 500.

In Milan, which is one of the fashion centres of the world, the iQ was a head-turner and it will have the same effect when it arrives here early next year. It also should do wonders for Toyota's rather staid image.

Campbell Spray - Sunday Independent