Toyota ’s iQ city car started off life as a simple Smart ForTwo competitor, but has grown into much more over the last few weeks. It was first revealed that the iQ would serve as the foundation for the next U.S.-spec Toyota Yaris, and then Toyota confirmed that the iQ would be sold in the U.S. under its Scion brand. But the Japanese automaker isn’t stopping there, and has at least one more variation of the iQ planned.
Although the iQ is widely viewed as a less-than-inspiring city car, Toyota is working on a plan to spice up the diminutive two-door. According to Germany’s Auto Motor & Sport, Toyota is readying a two-seat roadster based on the iQ’s platform.
The iQ roadster – which is reportedly dubbed the Spider – hasn’t officially been given the green light from Toyota , but will make its first appearance at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show as a design study concept. If the concept garners enough attention, Toyota could give the Spider the production go-ahead.
Power for the Spider is far from official, but Auto Motor & Sport suggest the tiny roadster would mirror the iQ’s engine offerings. That would mean gas engines displacing 1.0L and 1.3L, as well as a 1.4L diesel.
Plenty of question marks still surround the Spider, but it would seem the Spider could follow the iQ into U.S. Scion dealerships.
