Fridae

When Sir Alec Issigonis gave us the first Mini back in 1959, it became the backbone of transporting (Little) Britain. It formed the basis of how to design a compact car for four. Today’s Mini under BMW’s charge is quite frankly a poising/pansing tool. The best city cars now hail from Italy and now with the new Toyota iQ, Japan is in the mix too.

For many years, manufacturers have been teasing us with futuristic looking small city cars that promise to run on carrot juice and seats four. Finally, it took the financial might of Toyota to give us an answer to our congested inner-city commuting needs. The “helmet on wheels” profile will be garnering as much attention as a Ferrari on Singapore roads, since nothing else on the road quite looks like the iQ.

It was to our suspicions that the iQ was conceived as a vanity project for Toyota to commemorate it overtaking GM as the world’s largest car manufacturer. The iQ packs in four usable seats in a sub-3m car; this is no easy task as it requires a bespoken structure. For that the iQ places it’s differential ahead of it’s engine, has a 20% smaller air-con unit and a fuel tank that is flatten to the platform floor. Such modifications and unique parts does little to help Toyota keep the price of the iQ down.

Hence, it will be a grave mistake to think that the iQ is catered for bargain urban runabout hunters. Toyota says that the iQ targets buyers who are giving up their executive cars for an urban runabout. Sounds ridiculous as there are precious little clues from the diminutive dimensions to suggest that the iQ can substitute a German prestigious exec. Despite the odds of having unusual engineering and a short body, the iQ drives like a much larger machine. Contributing to such extraordinary driving manners would be good sound insulation, excellent high speed stability and the wide stance.

Take the baby Toyota through some windy roads and you will be pleased with the well weighted steering and extraordinary tight turning circle. Honestly, it has exceeded our expectations given the less than spectacular driving experience from its closest rival, the Smart Fortwo. The characterful 1.0 litre three-cylinder engine with the 6-speed CVT may not be big in terms of performance, but it felt adequate for urban bashings.

Of note, grip levels are not that high and the high doses of bodyroll might put less experienced drivers from trying anything too drastic. But rest easy, Toyota throws in ESP as standard, as well as nine airbags. Yes, you read correctly, nine airbags, including the world’s first rear curtain airbag.

Placing nine airbags in a car best described as a 3+1, slight overkill, but nonetheless, good to have. 3+1? Yes, the iQ is best for accommodating three full-size adults. The front passenger slides the front seat forward – while still having plenty of room – and another adult can get in behind. To fit the fourth passenger, it really depends on the length of the driver’s legs. With the rear seats in use, there will only be 32 litres of boot space left. Fold them, and there’s room for quite a decent amount of luggage.

Perhaps for most LGBTs, the greatest concern would be the front accommodations, which the iPod derived fascia design should be pleasing. The materials used are solid and the thick rimmed steering wheel continues to reinforce the fact that Toyota is targeting ex-exec car men and ladies. At the end of the day, It's touches like the velco'd driver's manual and removable cloth glove "bag" that convinces us that the iQ is not merely a packaging marvel, but a special car in every sense.

The appeal of zipping around in a low carbon emitting spacey-looking package will more than warrant the S$64,000 asking price. iWant the iQ!

The Toyota iQ is sold only as a parallel imported model in Singapore. 

*Prices quoted are from Pinnacle Motor's promotion 

Otherwise Toyota iQ retails at Pinnacle Motors for S$70k approx.