Toyota's bonsai-style mini

The production version of the world's smallest four-seater car was unveiled at the Geneva motor show in the heartland of the super-efficient mini-car. At just 2985mm long and 1500mm high, the iQ is designed to fit three adults as well as a child or luggage.

To package the iQ and make it a practical option for city mobility, Toyota's engineers have developed a series of innovative solutions.

The iQ features a redesigned differential to allow the absolute minimum in front overhang, a flat under-floor fuel tank, rear-angled shock absorbers, a more compact heating and airconditioning unit, centre take-off steering gear and an asymmetrical dashboard that opens up space on the passenger side.

“The iQ story started a few years ago when we began thinking of the environmental impact of automobiles,” says Toyota's executive vice-president of research and development, Kazuo Okamoto.

“We came to the conclusion that, in order to ensure a sustainable future, there was a need for a radical change in vehicle packaging,” he says. “We needed to create a breakthrough, away from the traditional belief that small is basic.”

Toyota says the design language of the iQ is influenced by a J-Factor — the aspect of Japanese originality and quality that creates “modern, attractive and globally appealing products from the apparent disharmony and contradictory nature of its original components.”

In shaping the exterior the designers have stayed within the compact box theme; but given the car character with bold headlights and unexpected surface curves around the wheels and rear bumper.

While the interior is primarily functional it is also stylish, incorporating a V-shaped dash, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and thin seats to maximise space.

There is even an under-floor storage compartment for securing valuables out of sight when the car is parked.

Toyota says the engineering team has not compromised on safety with an expectation that the iQ will win a maximum five stars in crash testing.

Without making details of engine size available, Toyota says there will be two petrol engines and a single diesel choice available when the car goes to market late this year. It is likely that at least one of the petrol engines will be sub-1.0-litre.

It's unlikely that the iQ will make it to Australia, at least in the short-term, although Toyota Australia says it will be tracking the success of the car in Europe and Japan.