Scion IQ Concept Goes Radioactive In New York

Scion wowed the audience at the New York Auto Show with its radioactive iQ Concept. The micro-car, which is based on the Toyota iQ currently on sale in Japan and Europe, got some SEMA-style with 18-inch wheels and a widebody designed by Five Axis.

We’d like to say this vehicle will make it to market but considerng Scion’s track record of continuously debuting concept cars while key models in the company’s product range (cough… tC… cough) grow old, it’s anyones guess.

The iQ Concept is designed for urban youth and is roughly the size of a SMART car, making it about two feet shorter in length than a Yaris.

Inside the iQ gets plenty of high-tech gadgetry with a 10-inch LCD screen that flips out of the center console. This screen is used to operate all of the vehicle’s entertainment functions and doubles as a DVD player when the vehicle is in park. And when not in use the screen folds flat to deliver a screen-saver-like light show.

Powered by a 93 hp 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine, the iQ is already efficient, but to help driver’s get the most out of their micro-compact, the iQ comes equipped with an “eco lamp” that lights up under efficient driving.

In terms of safety, the iQ Concept has all the modern safety features you might expect as well as a few surprises. In total, the cabin has nine airbags, including a world’s first rear curtain airbag.

“We believe the Scion iQ micro-subcompact concept is the future of transportation,” said Jack Hollis, VP at Scion. “If it should join our future line-up, I think it could reach iconic status like our xB. Its styling will attract attention and if it’s a Scion, you know it’ll be easy to personalize.”

More on the Scion iQ Concept after the jump:

SCION REVEALS iQ CONCEPT

AT THE 2009 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

NEW YORK, April 8, 2009 — At the New York Auto Show today, Scion

unveiled a special concept version of the iQ micro-subcompact car designed to

meet the transportation needs of young urban trendsetters.

Scion’s iQ concept is a new urban vehicle with a revolutionary package

that is just over 10 feet in length and accommodates three plus luggage. As

more and more urban centers are revitalized with a new sense of purpose,

energy, and creativity, young people are moving in from the suburbs to embrace

new urbanism and are looking for a car that suits their needs and delivers high

emotional value.

Scion’s iQ concept is the intelligent answer to this need for highly

emotional and efficient urban transportation. The convenience of having work,

entertainment and culture nearby for young city-dwellers is a significant draw to

urban centers. The vehicle must be able to navigate narrow, congested streets,

park in tight places, have impressive fuel economy, and have compelling design

and function.

“Scion’s iQ concept turns traditional auto design upside down,” said Jack

Hollis, Scion vice president. “Traditionally small vehicles have been thought of

as being basic. The iQ concept is just the opposite with its innovative features

and iconic urban design, and we believe it fits in well within the Scion brand. Our

young, trendsetting buyers are creative and innovative forward thinkers, and we

think they will appreciate what iQ has to offer.”

The production iQ is currently sold in Japan and Europe. Five Axis of

Huntington Beach, Calif., took the iQ to the next level with aggressive exterior

and interior modifications that show the vehicle’s potential for personalization.

With its 78.7-inch wheelbase, the three-door hatchback can deftly

maneuver through city traffic. At the same time, its overall length of 126.9-

inches, overall width of 71.4-inches, and short front and rear overhangs allow the

iQ to fit in virtually any city parking space. The front-mounted differential and

repositioned steering rack decrease front end length. In addition, the iQ is

equipped with a flat gas tank housed beneath the floor that reduces rear

overhang.

Pushing the wheels of the small, bold concept towards the four corners of

the body gives the iQ a confident stance. The custom 18-inch wheels with a

nickel finish and wide tires fill the wheel well, adding to its surefootedness. The

iQ’s custom front air dam, aero headlamps and high-intensity LED driving lamps

signal urban road readiness.

“We believe the Scion iQ micro-subcompact concept is the future of

transportation,” said Hollis. “If it should join our future line-up, I think it could

reach iconic status like our xB. Its styling will attract attention and if it’s a Scion,

you know it’ll be easy to personalize.”

The iQ’s profile is defined by a strong and high beltline. Smooth lines

glide from the large, dark finish headlamps, up the A-pillar, across the roof and

wrap around the rear emphasizing the concept’s geometric beauty. Side mirrors

with integrated turn signals accent the clean design.

The rear emphasizes the vehicle’s modern style. Trapezoidal lines run

toward the wheels, from the hatch to the thick rear diffuser, creating a substantial

presence. A center-mounted trapezoid exhaust adds to the vehicle’s

distinctiveness, while large, matte-finished rear taillights help keep the vehicle

visible.

The iQ’s interior fuses function, style and entertainment. Attention to

detail and modern accents can be seen in the illuminated door handle; the

swiveling spotlight that hovers over the dash; an illuminated iQ logo on the

passenger-side dash and nickel and raw aluminum toned interior panels.

Iridescent green and gray honeycomb upholstery covering the door panels and

seating areas, combined with the custom exterior paint, provides a balance of

freshness and sophistication. Black matte scuba-like polyurethane covers the

seat bolsters and is also used on the headliner with a bright green topstitch for a

contemporary finish,

The iQ features a 10-inch panel LCD screen on top of the center cluster

that serves as the main entertainment console and navigation system interface.

With the push of a button, the touch-screen articulates to reveal the

entertainment hub. The touch screen can also play movies while the vehicle is

parked. When not in use, the screen lays flat on the dash with a translucent

cover that emits a colorful display of light patterns to make the interior even more

unique.

A few quick strokes to the black panel below the entertainment hub, or

steering wheel controls, command the audio system to shuffle through a music

library. The center cluster also features three control knobs for dual front heating

and air conditioning settings. The driver and front passenger each have a knob

that displays their desired temperature and controls their temperature and fan

settings. The center knob dictates zone control for both occupants.

The instrument panel has a speedometer, warning lamps, and a multi-

information display. The multi-information display allows the driver to toggle

through the odometer, average speed, temperature and eco lamp. The eco lamp

illuminates during efficient driving to help the driver achieve maximum fuel

economy.

Comfortable front passenger legroom was achieved with a newly-

engineered, compact air conditioning unit located behind the center of the front

console. The iQ employs a glove bag, with the same textured, honeycomb fabric

as the front and rear seats, that can be easily snapped on and off for storage or

additional legroom.

Rear seating can accommodate one adult behind the front passenger and

a child, small package, or pet behind the driver. Extra slim front seat backs

provide rear passengers with legroom. The rear seats are 50/50 and fold flat for

increased utility. In addition, the rear seat cushion lifts up to reveal a small flat

storage space that can be used for pocket-sized portable music players, small

books, digital cameras, or slim laptops.

The iQ does not skimp on safety and is equipped with Vehicle Stability

Control (VSC); an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake force

Distribution (EBD); Brake Assist (BA); and nine SRS airbags, which includes the

world’s first rear window curtain airbag. Other airbags include driver and front

passenger front airbags; driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags;

side curtain airbags; a driver knee airbag; and a front passenger seat cushion

airbag.

# # #

SCION iQ CONCEPT VEHICLE

PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

POWERTRAIN

Engine: 1.3-liter, four-cylinder, VVT-i

Horsepower: 93 hp

Torque: 89 lb.-ft.

Drivetrain: Front wheel drive

DIMENSIONS (inches)

Overall Length: 126.9

Overall Width: 71.4 without side mirrors

79.3 including side mirrors

Overall Height: 56.9 without antenna

62.5 including antenna

Wheelbase: 78.7

Seating Capacity: 3+1

MODIFICATIONS

Exhaust: Five Axis custom stainless exhaust

Wheels: Five:AD S6:F custom wheels with nickel finish prototyped by

MetalFX

18×8.5 ET03

Tires: Yokohama S.drive

2.5/40R18

Suspension: TEIN Super Street coilover suspension

Body: Five Axis widebody conversion

Burnt nickel accents

Custom accented headlights and taillights