Toyota iQ is a subcompact vehicle manufactured by the Japanese automaker Toyota between 2008 and 2016. This car was primarily designed for city driving, with an incredibly compact size that made it easy to maneuver and park in narrow city streets.
The iQ was first unveiled as a concept car at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show and was later launched in Japan in November 2008. The car's design was inspired by the "revolutionary sushi platter" idea, in which each piece of sushi represents a functional component of the car. For example, the front grille represents the rice, while the headlights represent the fish.
Despite its small size, the Toyota iQ was designed to provide maximum comfort and safety for its passengers. The car's body structure was made of high-strength steel, and it had advanced safety features such as six airbags, anti-lock brakes, and vehicle stability control. The iQ also had a unique seat design that allowed four passengers to fit comfortably, despite its compact size.
Under the hood, the iQ was available with a 1.0-liter three-cylinder petrol engine or a 1.4-liter diesel engine, both of which were paired to a five-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
In 2012, Toyota released an electric version of the iQ called the iQ EV, which was primarily marketed for use in car-sharing programs and fleet services. The iQ EV had a range of 80 km on a single charge and was powered by a 47-kilowatt electric motor.
Overall, the Toyota iQ was a revolutionary vehicle that showed that a car could be both small and practical without sacrificing safety, comfort, and efficiency. While it was eventually discontinued due to low sales, the iQ remains a significant milestone in Toyota's history of innovation and design.