Toyota iQ platform to underpin three new models, including next-gen Yaris
09/18/2008, 4:54 PM
By Drew Johnson
Toyota’s new city car architecture is slated to hit the market in the company’s new iQ hatchback later this year, but, as previously reported, Toyota’s newest platform won’t be just limited to the iQ. A new report indicates that Toyota is planning to spawn no less than three new models from the iQ’s underpinnings.
The development of the new platform was quite pricey – due to the development of completely new components – so Toyota will try to reach economies of scale by producing several iQ-based models. According to Motor Trend, the iQ will serve as the basis for the next-generation Toyota Yaris in 2011, a seven-passenger MPV and a new hybrid to do battle with Honda’s upcoming Insight hybrid.
By moving the Yaris to the iQ’s city car platform, Toyota hopes to create a true Honda Fit competitor. The Fit is known for its versatility and space, and the iQ platform will allow the next-gen Yaris to better compete in both of these categories.
As the iQ’s chief engineer, Hiroki Nakajima, told Motor Trend, Toyota engineers really had to think outside of the box when designing the iQ – meaning the corporate parts bin was off limits. Therefore an all-new differential was designed to take up less space, HVAC accessories were redesigned to be more compact but just as powerful, a new steering rack and wiper system was engineered and even an ultra thin gas tank designed to go under the feet of the rear passengers was created. Developing the new components wasn’t cheap, which is one of the reasons why Toyota will produce several iQ-based models, but the engineering lessons learned while developing the city car platform will be used in future Toyota vehicles – making the investment worthwhile for the automaker.
Look for the next-generation iQ-based Yaris to hit the U.S. market in late 2010 or 2011, while Toyota’s smaller Insight-fighter is expected to hit the market a year after the bigger and more powerful third-generation Prius hits U.S. showrooms. No word on if the seven-seat people mover will be available in the U.S.
09/18, 6:39 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I tried once to underpin 3 new models. Last thing I remember was waking up in an alley smelling like Zima.
09/18, 6:41 PM
posted by:
andy
phew… finally a car that people dont have to worry about getting hit by on a bike (bicycle)… its about damn time midgets are being recognized by the auto industry and cars are being made to suit their midget needs.
09/18, 7:45 PM
posted by:
sharpie
Are we overdoing the small car segment or what? I am one for smaller car, but the Focus / Civic / Corolla / Mazda3 / Jetta / Cobalt / Caliber / Elantra class is plenty small enough. In terms of the U.S., anything smaller won’t make sense for much of the country going 65-75 mph. Sure, use it in NYC and other big cities, but their public transportation is good enough and the parking cost is crazy enough to justify ditching the car altogether. They don’t give discount for parking a Yaris vs. an Avalon.
09/19, 1:47 AM
posted by:
acura_el2000
The thing your forgetting is that the current Civic is nearly the same size if not bigger then the first and second generation Accord. Even the Fit is bigger then the first, second, and third gen Civic’s.
You fat-ass american’s need ever growing cars to fit your ever growing proportions.
09/19, 6:01 PM
posted by:
andy
obesity isnt the problem, its just anyone with the slightest bit of self respect and dignity wouldnt drive a car they could park in their old mini van
09/20, 12:09 AM
posted by:
beatusmongous
“You fat-ass american’s need ever growing cars to fit your ever growing proportions.”
“anyone with the slightest bit of self respect and dignity wouldnt drive a car they could park in their old mini van”
Personally, I think people that can’t drive a small car or a large car because it impacts their dignity have a problem with insecurity. There’s nothing wrong with driving a small car if the person wants to, and there’s nothing wrong with driving a huge car if the person wants to. If someone has to poke fun or attack someone just because their car is too small or too big, then that person has an inferiority complex. No one should be embarrassed because they drive or like a certain car. I’m not.