Here’s odd/interesting news from this year’s New York courtesy of Scion, it’s called the iQ Concept, but it sure looks like they could produce it starting tomorrow. Scion, Toyota’s “youth oriented” brand has been a huge success, both with those of limited budget, and with those who like to customize. The new and hopefully upcoming iQ is potentially aimed at those two groups, but also at another, as yet unchallenged market: Smart Car owners.
Scions are sort of odd to me. They always have novel or goofy features that make them stand out. The first things I noticed from looking at the shots and reading Toyota’s press materials was that the iQ has a really novel seating arrangement. Scion calls it a 3 + 1 configuration, but that’s a little off. A 3 + 1 would imply that there’s three seats in the front, plus one in the back (i.e. the way 2 + 2 works). But what they actually mean is that you can fit two full sized adults in the little guy, plus another one in a real pinch.
How they accomplish that is rather original. Thanks to a funky, asymmetrical dash design, they can move the passenger seat WAY forward, meaning the person sitting behind the passenger has enough room to sit comfortably. The person who might sit behind the driver however, better be a munchkin, cause from what I can tell, that seat is an upholstered luggage shelf.
Scion pretty much cops to what the fourth “seat” will actually be used for: ” Scion’s iQ concept is a new urban vehicle with a revolutionary package that is just over 10 feet in length and accommodates three plus luggage.”
The production iQ is already being sold in Japan and Europe, but for this concept car, Scion turned to Five Axis of Huntington Beach, Calif. They worked the iQ with aggressive exterior and interior modifications that show the vehicle’s potential for personalization.
The iQ has only a 78.7-inch wheelbase, which means it should handily like a shopping cart, especially through city traffic. The overall length of 126.9-inches and the width is 71.4-inches, so you should be able to cram the iQ into virtually any city parking space. The iQ also features a flat gas tank housed beneath the floor that reduces rear overhang.
The wheels of the iQ are pushed out towards the four corners of the body to give it a “confident stance” (gotta love that corp. speak). The custom 18-inch wheels with a nickel finish and wide tires fill the wheel well and look like something right out of Hot Import Nights, as does the iQ’s custom front air dam, aero headlamps and high-intensity LED driving lamps.
“We believe the Scion iQ micro-subcompact concept is the future of transportation. If it should join our future line-up, I think it could reach iconic status like our xB. Its styling will attract attention and if it’s a Scion, you know it’ll be easy to personalize,” said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president.
No kidding Jack. Here’s the other thing that everyone seems to be saying about the iQ. Given it’s size, flexibility and price, this little guy would be a direct competitor to Mercedes Smart … actually, given that if Scion DOES bring this to our shores with a Scion like price, it will be MORE that a direct competitor to Mercedes Smart, it should blow that Smart off the road (both literally and financially).
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm … this could be very interesting to watch.
Here’s the presser:
Scion Reveals iQ Concept at the 2009 New York International Auto Show
NEW YORK, April 8, 2009 — At the New York Auto Show today, Scion unveiled a special concept version of the iQ micro-subcompact car designed to meet the transportation needs of young urban trendsetters.
Scion’s iQ concept is a new urban vehicle with a revolutionary package that is just over 10 feet in length and accommodates three plus luggage. As more and more urban centers are revitalized with a new sense of purpose, energy, and creativity, young people are moving in from the suburbs to embrace new urbanism and are looking for a car that suits their needs and delivers high emotional value.
Scion’s iQ concept is the intelligent answer to this need for highly emotional and efficient urban transportation. The convenience of having work, entertainment and culture nearby for young city-dwellers is a significant draw to urban centers. The vehicle must be able to navigate narrow, congested streets, park in tight places, have impressive fuel economy, and have compelling design and function.
“Scion’s iQ concept turns traditional auto design upside down,” said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. “Traditionally small vehicles have been thought of as being basic. The iQ concept is just the opposite with its innovative features and iconic urban design, and we believe it fits in well within the Scion brand. Our young, trendsetting buyers are creative and innovative forward thinkers, and we think they will appreciate what iQ has to offer.”
The production iQ is currently sold in Japan and Europe. Five Axis of Huntington Beach, Calif. took the iQ to the next level with aggressive exterior and interior modifications that show the vehicle’s potential for personalization.
With its 78.7-inch wheelbase, the three-door hatchback can deftly maneuver through city traffic. At the same time, its overall length of 126.9-inches, overall width of 71.4-inches, and short front and rear overhangs allow the iQ to fit in virtually any city parking space. The front-mounted differential and repositioned steering rack decrease front end length. In addition, the iQ is equipped with a flat gas tank housed beneath the floor that reduces rear overhang.
Pushing the wheels of the small, bold concept towards the four corners of the body gives the iQ a confident stance. The custom 18-inch wheels with a nickel finish and wide tires fill the wheel well, adding to its surefootedness. The iQ’s custom front air dam, aero headlamps and high-intensity LED driving lamps signal urban road readiness.
“We believe the Scion iQ micro-subcompact concept is the future of transportation,” said Hollis. “If it should join our future line-up, I think it could reach iconic status like our xB. Its styling will attract attention and if it’s a Scion, you know it’ll be easy to personalize.”
The iQ’s profile is defined by a strong and high beltline. Smooth lines glide from the large, dark finish headlamps, up the A-pillar, across the roof and wrap around the rear emphasizing the concept’s geometric beauty. Side mirrors with integrated turn signals accent the clean design.
The rear emphasizes the vehicle’s modern style. Trapezoidal lines run toward the wheels, from the hatch to the thick rear diffuser, creating a substantial presence. A center-mounted trapezoid exhaust adds to the vehicle’s distinctiveness, while large, matte-finished rear taillights help keep the vehicle visible.
The iQ’s interior fuses function, style and entertainment. Attention to detail and modern accents can be seen in the illuminated door handle; the swiveling spotlight that hovers over the dash; an illuminated iQ logo on the passenger-side dash and nickel and raw aluminum toned interior panels. Iridescent green and gray honeycomb upholstery covering the door panels and seating areas, combined with the custom exterior paint, provides a balance of freshness and sophistication. Black matte scuba-like polyurethane covers the seat bolsters and is also used on the headliner with a bright green topstitch for a contemporary finish.
The iQ features a 10-inch panel LCD screen on top of the center cluster that serves as the main entertainment console and navigation system interface. With the push of a button, the touch-screen articulates to reveal the entertainment hub. The touch screen can also play movies while the vehicle is parked. When not in use, the screen lays flat on the dash with a translucent cover that emits a colorful display of light patterns to make the interior even more unique.
A few quick strokes to the black panel below the entertainment hub, or steering wheel controls, command the audio system to shuffle through a music library. The center cluster also features three control knobs for dual front heating and air conditioning settings. The driver and front passenger each have a knob that displays their desired temperature and controls their temperature and fan settings. The center knob dictates zone control for both occupants.
The instrument panel has a speedometer, warning lamps, and a multi-information display. The multi-information display allows the driver to toggle through the odometer, average speed, temperature and eco lamp. The eco lamp illuminates during efficient driving to help the driver achieve maximum fuel economy.
Comfortable front passenger legroom was achieved with a newly-engineered, compact air conditioning unit located behind the center of the front console. The iQ employs a glove bag, with the same textured, honeycomb fabric as the front and rear seats, that can be easily snapped on and off for storage or additional legroom.
Rear seating can accommodate one adult behind the front passenger and a child, small package, or pet behind the driver. Extra slim front seat backs provide rear passengers with legroom. The rear seats are 50/50 and fold flat for increased utility. In addition, the rear seat cushion lifts up to reveal a small flat storage space that can be used for pocket-sized portable music players, small books, digital cameras, or slim laptops.
The iQ does not skimp on safety and is equipped with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC); an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD); Brake Assist (BA); and nine SRS airbags, which includes the world’s first rear window curtain airbag. Other airbags include driver and front passenger front airbags; driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags; side curtain airbags; a driver knee airbag; and a front passenger seat cushion airbag.
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