| Concept Car | Frankfurt Motor Show | Toyota iQ Concept |

Designed for 'Europe's modern metropolitans', Toyota has created the smallest four-seater concept in the world with its new iQ. Debuting in Frankfurt this week, the iQ is a shade under three metres in length, or 425mm shorter than the current Aygo, but closer to the Yaris in both height and width (1,480mm and 1,680mm respectively). The iQ can seat three adults and a child (or piece of luggage), all of which will be greeted with a 'high fashion' interior.

For the cabin, Toyota has taken inspiration from the animal world, modelling the dash on a manta-ray, complete with a chrome-finished centre console representing a 'tail' and steering wheel finished in mock snake-skin. Throughout, the iQ features purple accents on soft-touch material that neatly contrasts with the purple shimmer apparent in the pearlescent white paint.

Space saving was of paramount importance for the tiny iQ and so Toyota sought out various cabin equipment solutions to give passengers adequate seating room. To achieve this the Japanese manufacturer has built a custom compact heating unit located in the centre console and created a three-in-one speed, revs and fuel readout mounted above the steering column.

Sitting on 17-inch wheels, the iQ is a curious concept, which might not be made given its clash with the Aygo and Yaris, but be sure its space saving equipment and seating layout might just make it to the production line at some stage in the future.

Kyle Molyneux - 15 Sep 2007