With long term rising gas prices and increasing environmental awareness urban vehicles, like the smart, are increasing in popularity with inner city inhabitants. Personally I highly dislike the Smart, and ‘wouldn’t be seen dead in one’ however now there may be an alternative:
Following the New York Auto Show the Scion IQ concept really caught my eye. This concept is a revolutionary package creating an urban vehicle just over 10 feet in length, running a 93 hp 1.3 L VVT-i motor. They have done a great job on the bodywork, although I believe this concept will definitely be on the wilder side than the final version, were it to be released. This particular car features wide arches with huge 18×8.5″ wheels, which look even bigger given the car is so small!
I like the rear, as it has an aggressive presence and works well overall, however I believe the front requires more work to result in the ‘perfect’ urban vehicle.
Like the current model it features a 3+1 seating system. The interior is fitted with a 10″ pop up screen as well as other new technological goodies, including a rear window airbag providing protection to the passengers in the rear whose heads are tight against the rear window.
Overall it is a very good effort - now to see if they actually put it into production!
