First seen as a 'concept car' at the Tokyo Motorshow last year, Toyota has now unveiled the production version of the iQ, the world's smallest car which can accommodate four persons (Toyota is honest enough to clarify that it is '3 adults and a child'). The marvel of the iQ's ingenuity is in its revolutionary packaging, which is the result of six space-saving but inter-linked engineering innovations.
"The iQ story started a few years ago when we at Toyota began thinking of the environmental impact of automobiles. We came to the conclusion that, to ensure a sustainable future, there was a need for a radical change in vehicle packaging. We needed to create a breakthrough, away from the traditional belief that small is basic. Our answer to this is the Toyota iQ," said Kazuo Okamoto, Executive Vice-President, in charge of Research and Development at Toyota.
The name 'iQ' is the best representation of what the iQ embodies, he explained. "The 'i' stands for individuality whilst at the same time also expressing innovation and intelligence. "Q" stands for quality" and also suggesting that its "cubic" stature gives a "cue" to new value and lifestyle-friendly vehicle," he said.
The design of the new iQ has its origin in Japan with 'J-Factor' influences at its core. According to Toyota, the 'J-Factor' is 'that aspect of Japanese originality and quality that creates modern, attractive, and globally appealing products from the apparent disharmony and contradictory nature of its original components'. Expressions such as 'small yet spacious', 'high-tech yet human' and 'emotional yet functional' are all examples of what Toyota calls 'J-Factor'.
Although iQ is less than 3 metres in length (the TATA Nano is 3.1 metres long), it has a spacious interior. And while the ingenious packaging requires hi-tech solutions, the human appeal is in the requirement to meet intelligent urban transportation needs.
Drawing inspiration from J-Factor, Toyota has developed a unique design language called 'Vibrant Clarity'. Vibrant Clarity is the key to answering the long-standing paradox of designing vehicles that are both energised and dynamic, but at the same time rational and ingenious.
The iQ contains three key elements of Vibrant Clarity design. Firstly, there is the perfect imbalance of proportions: a simple and daring exterior with a strong contrast between the stable and robust stance provided by the iQ's width and the shortness of its overall length. Integrated component architecture where each unit contributes to the overall design: the structure around the tyres forms part of the minimal front and rear overhangs, a synergy that conveys both strength and agility.
Freeform geometrics: the exterior surfaces are almost mathematical in their cleanliness and precision, but also possess movement and emotion to make the design fresh and contemporary.
The four wheels - placed at the extremities of each corner - give the iQ a self-assured 'super stance'. At just 2985 mm in length, but with a proportionally larger wheelbase of 2000 mm, the iQ is small in size, but unlike a small car possesses a confident on-road appearance.
The iQ's robustness is further enhanced by the tough-looking bumpers. Strong vertical lines define the rear view, while the bold rear lamp lenses are divided into three segments by horizontal lines, which help underpin the iQ's strong presence. The iQ is fitted with 5-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels that fill the bold wheel arches.
"The iQ story started a few years ago when we at Toyota began thinking of the environmental impact of automobiles. We came to the conclusion that, to ensure a sustainable future, there was a need for a radical change in vehicle packaging. We needed to create a breakthrough, away from the traditional belief that small is basic. Our answer to this is the Toyota iQ," said Kazuo Okamoto, Executive Vice-President, in charge of Research and Development at Toyota.
The name 'iQ' is the best representation of what the iQ embodies, he explained. "The 'i' stands for individuality whilst at the same time also expressing innovation and intelligence. "Q" stands for quality" and also suggesting that its "cubic" stature gives a "cue" to new value and lifestyle-friendly vehicle," he said.
The design of the new iQ has its origin in Japan with 'J-Factor' influences at its core. According to Toyota, the 'J-Factor' is 'that aspect of Japanese originality and quality that creates modern, attractive, and globally appealing products from the apparent disharmony and contradictory nature of its original components'. Expressions such as 'small yet spacious', 'high-tech yet human' and 'emotional yet functional' are all examples of what Toyota calls 'J-Factor'.
Although iQ is less than 3 metres in length (the TATA Nano is 3.1 metres long), it has a spacious interior. And while the ingenious packaging requires hi-tech solutions, the human appeal is in the requirement to meet intelligent urban transportation needs.
Drawing inspiration from J-Factor, Toyota has developed a unique design language called 'Vibrant Clarity'. Vibrant Clarity is the key to answering the long-standing paradox of designing vehicles that are both energised and dynamic, but at the same time rational and ingenious.
The iQ contains three key elements of Vibrant Clarity design. Firstly, there is the perfect imbalance of proportions: a simple and daring exterior with a strong contrast between the stable and robust stance provided by the iQ's width and the shortness of its overall length. Integrated component architecture where each unit contributes to the overall design: the structure around the tyres forms part of the minimal front and rear overhangs, a synergy that conveys both strength and agility.
Freeform geometrics: the exterior surfaces are almost mathematical in their cleanliness and precision, but also possess movement and emotion to make the design fresh and contemporary.
The four wheels - placed at the extremities of each corner - give the iQ a self-assured 'super stance'. At just 2985 mm in length, but with a proportionally larger wheelbase of 2000 mm, the iQ is small in size, but unlike a small car possesses a confident on-road appearance.
The iQ's robustness is further enhanced by the tough-looking bumpers. Strong vertical lines define the rear view, while the bold rear lamp lenses are divided into three segments by horizontal lines, which help underpin the iQ's strong presence. The iQ is fitted with 5-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels that fill the bold wheel arches.
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