Geneva 2008 Preview: Production Ready Toyota iQ and Urban Cruiser Unveiled

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At this year’s Geneva Auto Show, Toyota is going to officially unveil its production version of the iQ microcar that was shown in Frankfurt last year for the European market.

The iQ measures less than three meters and seats up to three adult passengers with room left over for a small child or luggage. The iQ is going to go into production at the end of the year.

In addition to the production version of the iQ, Toyota is also going to debut the Urban Cruiser, which is essentially a raised version of the Scion xD that we have in the US. Toyota has yet to release any specs on the car, so you will have to wait until the car is officially unveiled next month.

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PRESS RELEASE:
SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL FOR TOYOTA AT GENEVA

KEY POINTS

* World premiere of production-ready Toyota iQ at the Geneva Motor Show
* European debut of new Urban Cruiser SUV

Toyota is thinking big by creating a new generation of small cars designed to address the demands of modern motoring and the preferences of today’s drivers. Two new models will take centre stage at the Geneva Motor Show.

Toyota iQ
First shown as a concept car at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, iQ is appearing for the first time as a market-ready design, ahead of production starting towards the end of this year. Although measuring less than three metres long, this compact urban vehicle can carry three people in comfort, with room to spare to accommodate a child or carry luggage.

The ingenious design was created by bringing together six linked, space-saving engineering innovations that mark a revolution in Toyota’s vehicle development. iQ is rich in Japanese design elements and signals a radical shift away from the belief that small cars, although kinder to the environment, are inherently basic and less safe.

Urban Cruiser
Toyota is extending its sports utility vehicle range into the small car segment with its new Urban Cruiser.

Presented for the first time in Europe, it is an environmentally responsible SUV aimed at the market for urban all-road vehicles and meeting motorists’ priorities for low fuel consumption and emissions.

In addition, Toyota will display its latest advances in creating urban environmental transport solutions, including a Plug-in Hybrid prototype and two concept cars: the Toyota 1/X Plug-in Hybrid concept in combination with Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) technology, and the i-Real personal mobility concept.

More information will be provided at the Toyota Motor Show press conference to be held on 4 March at 2.15pm in Hall 4.