The Toyota iQ is a city car introduced at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show, with Japanese sales beginning in October 2008 and UK sales in January 2009. The production iQ followed a concept vehicle presented at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show.

The name iQ, an initialism of the term intelligence quotient, recalls a competitor, the Smart Fortwo. According to Toyota, the i stands for “individuality” “innovation” and “intelligence”, while the Q stands for “quality” and points to the iQ’s “cubic” shape. It was Japanese Car of the Year for 2008.

The iQ was initially designed at Toyota Europe Design Development (Toyota ED²), Toyota’s design studio in Nice, France.

Design

The design emphasizes low fuel consumption, maneuverability, environmental friendliness, and maximized interior space. Six specific design factors contribute to IQ’s minimal overhangs, forward windscreen location, maximized cabin space and overall compactness. These include a newly developed differential and a centre take-off steering gear, a flat fuel tank and rear-angled shock absorbers, a smaller heater/air conditioning unit and asymmetric dashboard, and a slimmer seat design.

First Generation (KGJ10/NGJ10, 2008-)

Body styles

Chassis code	(DBA-)KGJ10-BGXRG	(DBA-)KGJ10-BGXNG	(DBA-)NGJ10-BGXNG	?
Body style	2-seat	4-seat	4-seat	4-seat
Engine	1KR-FE	1KR-FE	1NR-FE	1.4D
Years	2009-	2008-	2008-	2008-

2-seat version was only sold in Japan.

Engines

Model	Type	Power, torque@rpm	CO2 emission (g/km)
Petrol engines
1.0	998 cc (0.998 L; 60.9 cu in) I3 (1KR-FE)	68 PS (50 kW; 67 hp)@6000, 98 N·m (72 ft·lbf)@4800	99 manual, 110 CVT
1.0 (Japan)	996 cc (0.996 L; 60.8 cu in) I3 (1KR-FE)	68 PS (50 kW; 67 hp)@6000, 98 N·m (72 ft·lbf)@4800	CVT: 101 in 10・15 mode, 112 in JC08 mode
1.33	1,329 cc (1.329 L; 81.1 cu in) I4 (1NR-FE)	98 PS (72 kW; 97 hp)@6000, 123 N·m (91 ft·lbf)@4400	113 manual, 120 CVT
1.3 (Japan)	1,329 cc (1.329 L; 81.1 cu in) I4 (1NR-FE)	94 PS (69 kW; 93 hp)@6000, 118 N·m (87 ft·lbf)@4400	CVT: 101 in 10・15 mode, 112 in JC08 mode
Diesel engines
1.4D	1,364 cc (1.364 L; 83.2 cu in) I4	90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp)@3400, 190 N·m (140 ft·lbf)@1800-3200	104 manual

The 1.0L engine is similar to the Toyota Aygo.The iQ achieves 65.69 mpg_-imp (4.30 L/100 km; 54.70 mpg_-US) by European standards.^[

UK models include only petrol engines.

Early Japan models include only 1.0L engine. 1.33L engine option was added beginning in 2009.

The car is capable of fitting 1.6L engine.

Models with 1.4L engine include start and stop system.

Transmissions

Model	Type
1.0	5-speed manual, CVT (Super CVT‐i[7])
1.33	6-speed manual, CVT (Super CVT‐i)
1.4D	6-speed manual

Japan models include only CVT transmission.

Safety

The iQ includes nine airbags, dual frontal airbags, front seat-mounted side torso airbags, side curtain airbags, front passenger seat cushion airbag, a driver’s knee airbag and a newly developed rear curtain airbag to protect backseat passengers’ heads from rear end collisions^. Vehicle Stability Control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, brake assist, and electronic brakeforce distribution comes standard.

Crash testing

Euro NCAP: 79% overall, 91% Adult Occupant.

FT-EV concept

The Toyota FT-EV concept was unveiled at the January 2009 North American International Auto Show.

It is a battery electric concept vehicle with an estimated capacity of 50 miles (80 km). Toyota plans to launch the production version of FT-EV in 2012.^[12]

A slightly modified version was shown as the FT-EV II at the October 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.

iQ Customize Car (2009-)

It is a family of Toyota iQ custom body kits in Japanese market.^[13]

MODELLISTA MAXI includes custom front bumper, side skirt, rear bumper. MODELLISTA MIXTURE includes custom B-pillar shadow, mirror cover, back window panel, side door trim. MODELLISTA MIXTURE side make set only includes custom mirror cover and side door trim.

Toyota iQ “GAZOO Racing tuned by MN” (130G, 2009-)

It is a limited (100 units) version for Japanese market. It included 1,329 cubic centimetres (1.329 L; 81.1 cu in) I4 engine, 6-speed manual transmission, stiffer sport suspension that lowers its ride height by 30 mm (1.2 in), rear disk brake, RAYS 16×5.5-in aluminium wheels with 175/60R16 tires, enhanced brakes, stiffened brace, tachometer, aluminium pedals, rear spoiler, GRMN emblem, sport exhaust system.

GAZOO Racing package adds front bumper spoiler, side mudguard, rear bumper spoiler centre muffler, Toyota front fog lamp, original decal, front sport seat covers.

The vehicle was unveiled at the January 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon.

The GAZOO Racing cars were sold through Toyota’s Netz dealer channel.It has MSRP of ¥1,972,000 (¥1,878,095+tax).

iQ for Sports/iQ Collection (2009)

They are show cars demonstrating the possibility for customers to personalise their cars.

iQ for Sports reflects modern urban chic through a purpose-made body kit emphasizing the iQ’s broad stance, powerful geometry and clean sweeping lines.

iQ Collection focuses on interior customisation.

The vehicles were unveiled in 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Scion iQ

The Scion iQ concept vehicle was built by Five Axis (California, USA) based on the Toyota iQ and displayed in April 2009 at the New York Auto Show. It is based on the production Toyota iQ but has a four cylinder engine instead of the iQ’s three cylinders, 18″ wheels and widened wheel arches.

Aston Martin Cygnet

In late June 2009, Toyota and Aston Martin announced a collaboration to build the Aston Martin Cygnet based on the Toyota iQ and released a single image of the incomplete concept.^[20] The production version of Cygnet would be trimmed at Aston Martin’s Gaydon factory, with a proposed production of 1000 to 2000 per year and sales beginning at the end of 2010. It will initially be available to current Aston Martin owners, but may later go on sale to the general public.

The Aston Martin Cygnet bodies were supplied by Belgium-based Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA.

Marketing

Reports from Toyota engineers suggest the iQ platform will serve as the basis of the next generation Toyota Yaris as well as a possible subcompact hybrid car, to challenge the CY 2009 Honda Insight^[23] Competitors include the Fiat 500, Subaru R1 and Smart Fortwo.