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.