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.
10/20, 5:42 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Um… okay…
I wouldn’t consider the ForTwo Cabrio a “roadster”. I really don’t think I’d consider an iQ as a “roadster”, either. Seems a bit weird. More like just an iQ Cabrio.
But then, Smart did build a roadster, but it was very different from the ForTwo, which is what the iQ is targeting.
10/20, 9:01 PM
posted by:
autonut
I think it is not a bad idea, except it will not come here (US). Most of good ideas don’t reach our highways.
10/20, 9:37 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
autonut, that’s too bad. Anything they can do to these ‘city cars’ that makes them look less like someone just chopped 10 feet off the back of an Aerostar is a good thing.
10/20, 10:09 PM
posted by:
cereal
Oh really?
What next, make this the next Supra? Eh. Let them do it.
Maybe it’ll sell.
-eat your cereal
10/20, 10:53 PM
posted by:
neptronix
As a previous honda del sol owner, and a serious admirer of the Toyota MR2, i think this thing would freakin’ rule. Where did all the fun small cars of the 80’s and 90’s go? drop the yaris 1.5l into it, sell it for under $17k, and watch it fly off the scion lots, toyota!
10/21, 11:04 AM
posted by:
DaSpyda
I own an MR2 Spyder, I drive an MR2 Spyder. Toyota’s MR2 Spyder is a friend of mine, and this, sir, is no MR2 Spyder.
10/22, 5:57 PM
posted by:
JoshyLofty
i think they should build it. i would buy it (given it looks good)