Smart thinking

We might have thought it was far from a production reality when the "Concept" Toyota iQ appeared at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, but that was not the case.

Just six months later, Toyota has announced that the production version of its sub-Smart (Benz), three/four seat micro car will be coming off the line later this year.

Every way you look at it, the iQ is smaller than practically anything you've yet seen. At less than three decent footsteps long, it almost makes the (28cm longer) Smart ForTwo look big.

Yet it will, at a pinch, carry three adult passengers, as well as a tiny tot beside the centrally located rear seat.

Toyota went to huge lengths for a small result.

The front-wheel-drive setup is miniaturised via a differential design that limits the front overhang, as well as a re-routed steering system, while there's a flat, under-floor fuel tank, super-compact aircon components, an out-of-the-way asymmetrical dashboard, and rice paper-thin seats to maximise every cubic centimetre of space.

On the issue of powerplants, all Toyota will say right now is that the iQ will offer a choice between two petrol engines, or a diesel.

The company plans to produce 100,000 iQs a year once production gets fully under way, aiming at the Japanese market as well as space-starved European countries where the Smart has been warmly embraced.