New York 2009: The Scion iQ goes Big Wheels!

[Intrepidation]

To no ones surprise, Toyota unveiled the Scion iQ concept today at the New York Auto Show. Ever since the iQ debuted in Europe last year, the expectation has been that Toyota would sell the micro compact car as a Scion here in the U.S. to compete against the Smart ForTwo. What surprised us were the modifications made to the iQ for its debut in the States. In keeping with the customization culture that is rampant among Scion owners, the concept features widely flared fenders and super-size 18-inch wheels.

Like the current production model, the concept iQ features 3+1 seating with a very compact air conditioning unit that fascilitates an asymmetrical dashboard. This allows the front passenger seat to slide forward so that one adult can fit in the back. The seat behind the driver, however, is strictly for the legless. One new innovation in the iQ is a rear window airbag that provides protection to rear seat passengers whose heads are butted up against the rear glass. The concept also features lots of special lighting and a pop-up 10-inch LCD embedded in the dash.

Scion is just evaluating the iQ for U.S. introduction, but we would be shocked not to see it sold here soon.

[Intrepidation]

[PurdueGuy]

I don't mind the size or general proportions, but the styling is pretty lousy, as usual for Toyota lately (and before lousy their styling was boring, I'm not sure which is worse.)

[Satty]

No doorhandles? It looks wider than the Smart.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Looks like the latest "Barbie Jeep" (except in SCREAMIN' yellow)

[Blake Noble]

What kind of Pokemon is this again?

[regfootball]

i liked the iQ before i saw it with all this retarded ricer garb on it.

[MyerShift]

i liked the iQ before i saw it with all this retarded ricer garb on it.

Agreed. Much more respectable as the Euro Toyota version in competing against Daimler's smart car.

[David]

[Cory Wolfe]

I like the big wheels... but not the car attached to them.

[K.C.]

It reminds me of one of those toy cars that you pull back on, release, and it goes forward.

[daves87rs]

Yuck!

[Robert Hall]

What kind of Pokemon is this again?

Add an orange lightning-bolt tail and some pink spots on the front, and it would kind look like Pikachu.