Toyota iQ to be Fully Revealed at Paris Auto Show

Following the iQ concept car at the Frankfurt show in 2007 and the production design version at this year’s Geneva Salon in March, Toyota will fully reveal its new micro car at the Paris Motor Show on October 2. Since we already know what the iQ will look like, what we’re waiting to find out is all the technical details on Toyota’s new micro car that will go on sale in Europe towards the end of the year - early 2009 (depending on the market). At 2,985mm long and 1,500mm high, the iQ is only slightly larger than Mercedes’ Smart Fortwo, but thanks to its comparatively long, 2,000mm wheelbase and smart interior packaging, Toyota says that it can fit three adults plus a child or luggage in comfort. -Continued

According to the Japanese automaker, the iQ has been designed to meet five-star Euro NCAP crash test safety standards. In an earlier announcement, Toyota said that the iQ will be offered with a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel. Full production of the iQ will start during late 2008, with 100,000 units expected worldwide in the microcar’s first full year in the market.