Toyota ups the small car score with the iQ3 (iQ cubed)

[Autoblog]

Filed under: Economy, Euro, Hatchbacks, Toyota

Toyota iQ3 - Click above for high-res image gallery

While the original iQ is apparently a museum piece, the new iQ3, which Toyota announced at the Geneva Motor Show in March, is now on sale in the UK. The iQ cubed adds a 98 bhp 1.33-liter engine with Toyota Optimal Drive to the diminutive Smart competitor and the start-stop system helps the iQ3 get CO2 emissions down to 113g/km. On the UK's combined cycle, the most efficient iQ3, the manual with a six-speed gearbox, gets 49 mpg (U.S.). Even with a Multidrive CVT transmission, the iQ3 can achieve 46 mpg (U.S.) and CO2 emissions of just 120 g/km. Both models qualify for the UK's Band B road tax, which is just £35 a year. The manual starts at £11,495 while the Multidrive begins at £12,495. If you have more money to spend, four trims are offered that add everything from chrome trim to Bluetooth connectivity. Make the jump for all the details.


Gallery: Toyota iQ3


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[xplicitcorolla99]

i wonder whats the crash test results must be like a crush soda can

[corollaSbest]

iQ has their new rear airbag system. I'd love to buy one but Toyota isn't about to kill the market for the prius by giving the consumer what they want. I want the turbo diesel model that supposedly still got 49mpg and had over 80bhp

[JspeXAE102]

Diesel > Hybrid

but I can't wait until HPV's like the Honda FCX Clarity takes over.

[SaberJ2X]

why don't they just make a diesel hybrid...

[Cuztomrollaz98]

This little thing has a 6 spd manual gearbox and our rollas only 5? WTF yo! lol.... These cars maybe small but they're tough on the body. I saw a wreck of a benz and a smart car in Phoenix a couple yrs back and the Benz was worse than the Smart car....

[Ares]

Originally Posted by JspeXAE102

Diesel > Hybrid

but I can't wait until HPV's like the Honda FCX Clarity takes over.

I remember an article comparing diesel and hybrids with hybrids on top... Only downside I see with hybrids might be cost of repairs. Knowing that hybrid and battery technology has been evolving quickly, parts and prices should go lower in the near future.

Also, back in the Philippines, my family has had lots of diesels mostly toyota and isuzu. Both of those had to be overhauled at like 200-300k kilometers. I believe that diesels are also expensive to maintain. On the up side, those diesels we had lasted forever.

[corollaSbest]

hybrids don't save any money until gas breaks $3/gallon for regular. The cost of replacing the batteries makes it that much more expensive to operate than a gas car until that $3 point. Also this doesn't take in to account the hybrid car costs roughly $5-8K more than the gas one right off the starting line

[whydontyouchoos]

small diesel FTW i would love a little 1.33L Turbo maybe about 145HP in one of these would be amazing

[MovieSTAR]

Originally Posted by SaberJ2X

why don't they just make a diesel hybrid...

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/21/t...anks-to-isuzu/

[Ares]

Presumably such a hook up was made possible, or at least hastened, by the expertise in diesels that Isuzu brings to the table.
Heck, even we have to admit that we're excited for such a combo, as diesel engines excel in efficiency when cruising at highway speeds, much more so than a gasoline engine, which to this point has always been the electric motor's dance partner in modern hybrids.

I didnt know that. I guess a diesel hybrid wouldnt be too bad. I know isuzu makes great diesels, only thing is you can hear them coming from half a mile away O.o

[MovieSTAR]

Originally Posted by Ares

I didnt know that. I guess a diesel hybrid wouldnt be too bad. I know isuzu makes great diesels, only thing is you can hear them coming from half a mile away O.o

so a diesel hybrid will be as quiet as a regular car ^_^

[JDMjody]

smart car upgrade?