Toyota ’s upcoming iQ city car is slated to become the foundation for several new Toyota vehicles in the U.S., but could the diminutive Smart-fighter find a home for itself in the U.S.? While it remains to be seen if such a small offering could be a success in the States, Toyota has reportedly decided to give it a go.
The tiny iQ will hit the market in Europe and Japan late next year, but a U.S. launch might not be far behind. According to Motor Trend, Toyota is planning to bring the iQ to the U.S. in order to better spread its development costs – likely in late 2009.
But unlike its overseas counterpart, the iQ won’t be badged as a Toyota in the States. Because the iQ would steal some sales away from the next-generation Yaris – which will be iQ based – and could even threaten some Prius sales, Toyota will sell the iQ under its Scion brand. In fact, Motor Trend says that we can expect to see the iQ in Scion clothes as early as next month’s Los Angeles Auto Show.
If sold in the U.S., Toyota would likely swap the iQ’s three-cylinder powerplant for a more powerful four-cylinder engine, which would deliver more power and fuel efficiency than Smart’s ForTwo – not to mentions at thousands less.
The Scion-badged iQ could also be just the tickets for Toyota’s once vibrant youth brand. The combination of a sub-$15,000 price tag, funky looks and sky-high fuel economy could be just the thing to lure 18-24 year old car buyers back into Scion showrooms.
