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April 8, 2009

NYIAS Scion IQ Concept: It's a Burly Little Bugger

By Mike Musto

RideLust.com

I just came from the Scion press launch of their new concept micro car, the IQ. I have to say that generally I am not overly enthralled with microcars, but this little sucker was cool. Kind of like a smart car on steroids, the IQ definitely appeals to teenager in all of us and at first glance it actually gives the appearance of being much larger than it actually is.

With techno blasting in the background, the little IQ was lowered into the crowd with oohs and aahs from photographers and journalists. There is a good reason for this, too. You see, the IQ is cool. Macho fender flares and 18″ wheels hide massive rotors and nice two-pot calipers. The paint is called “Radioactive,” and has some iridescent qualities and shows yellow or green depending on the exterior light.

Interior appointments are typical Scion, meaning they are youthful. Scion, as I see it, has become a master of dressing up inexpensive materials to appeal to a much hipper audience–and it works. Funky honeycomb seat and door inserts help offset otherwise drab gray vinyl. Combine that with a massive 10″ pop-up monitor and for watching DVD’s (when you’re parked) make for a cool little micro that you wouldn’t mind just hanging out in.

Permalink:

Posted at 11:45 am in 2009 New York Auto Show, iQ, NYIAS 2009, Scion, Toyota

Comments

RioRcR
Apr 11, 2009 at 10:48 pm

I agree with 08iSt on this one.
Hope for the best. If this car does go through for Toyota/Scion, and hits the states as shown, they will have hit another “HOME RUN” with their customizable car lineup. I am sure we will see this one in the hands of young tuners all dolled out like it’s predicessors. I do have to say that calling it an “iQ” was a bit rediculous. They could have called it the “Xe” or the “Xc” to go along with previous models.

Garage510
Apr 11, 2009 at 7:47 pm

I’ll take the wheels and put them on a bigger car.

brivan
Apr 11, 2009 at 7:26 pm

Heck yeah,that thing is nice!!

Chaks
Apr 11, 2009 at 4:17 pm

I really like this. I just went to the show, and this was my favorite car there. I hope we get it. Obviously due to the size it is not for everyone. Perfect for me, I have neither kids nor any other excuse to get a larger car. This would be my ideal next car.

Lawdog1911
Apr 11, 2009 at 1:28 pm

The body kit looks cool

JesterK
Apr 11, 2009 at 10:11 am

Not sure how I feel about the 18″ rims but I have to say I’m typically a fan of micros, and this is no different.

Allimport247
Apr 11, 2009 at 7:37 am

Haha comedy

Crazymatt1352
Apr 10, 2009 at 9:58 pm

I was on the scion website and saw the interior pictures at least the interior is better than the new Camaro’s interior lol

Jnic815
Apr 10, 2009 at 9:35 pm

Wow it looks like a lima bean..

RavenAegis45
Apr 10, 2009 at 2:44 pm

Ehh its just another Fuel Sipping mini car which are probably gonna appear in swarms over here pretty soon. Nothing special, obviously the production version isnt gonna have all those Concept accouterments. Its ok looking but again, nothing special

valek
Apr 9, 2009 at 1:34 am

it’s basicly a Toyota IQ in fancy clothes. the tame Toyota version is a slow and ugly little thing, if 18″ wheels and kawasaki green paint makes a car cool then i don’t wanna be cool.

dgaf88
Apr 8, 2009 at 7:45 pm

This car is a turd.

retroman
Apr 8, 2009 at 3:53 pm

I applaud them for thier efforts, but couldn’t they have come up with a more original name? It’s too much of a play off of the Smart car.

08iSt
Apr 8, 2009 at 2:09 pm

And while the iQ is (for some reason) still a concept to the states, we can all expect from experience that the u.s. market will change it up..and make it quite a bit of a boring little car again. It seems whatever functions that are cool and work to only better the cars which come from japan, are all dumped..giving us a drabber, less enthusiastic version of the same car..I hope I’m wrong on this…but it’s always been the case with these little cars. So for now we’ll continue to look for Five Axis inspired kits and rims..and hope for ht best?

SouthernGuy8503
Apr 8, 2009 at 11:51 am

i’ve never liked scions and this one is no different, both the design and size of those rims make the car looks like a little matchbox car lol