Toyota iQ could be the basis for a larger car, a VW Up! competitor

May 1, 2008June 5, 2012 Omar Rana

Sources at Toyota have told AutoCar that the Toyota iQ could be the basis for a larger car. Toyota showed the iQ concept minicar at the Frankfurt Motor Show followed by the production model at the Geneva Motor Show.

Toyota plans on selling 100,000 units for the first year. No other automaker has made such a huge investment on a car that it will only sell that many units of. According to sources, that investment will be put to good use as Toyota will use the iQ as a basis for a larger Volkswagen Up! competitor.

No hybrid version for the iQ will be offered since there is no room for a battery back. However, Toyota will offer fuel-saving technologies like a start-stop system.

Toyota has not released any details on the engine lineup, but a 1.8 liter unit developed in partnership with Yamaha is expected.

Toyota iQ Gallery: