Rent-An-IQ

by Bertel Schmitt

February 12th, 2011 7:37 AM

The attentive reader of TTAC is not surprised by the news provided by Automobilwoche [sub] that Toyota will introduce a plug-in version of its iQ by 2012. It had been on Toyota’s green roadmap for months. The (not really) surprising news is: You won’t be able to buy the EV iQ when it gets launched.

At least not in Europe. A Toyota Europe spokesperson told Automobilwoche that the car will only be available as a lease. Leases appear to be a favorite way of carmakers to enter the plug-in market with caution.

Funny coincidence: The picture of the battery-operated Toyota iQ that accompanies the article in Automobilwoche (above) was taken in the exact same spot (left) where I had a quickie test drive of the conventionally powered iQ last December.

If you want a faux Italian background in Tokyo, cobbled streets and all, there is no better place than Toyota’s Mega Web site.

#BertelSchmitt #ElectricVehicle #EV #Green #IQ #Japan #Toyota

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2 of 4 comments

Herb on Feb 12, 2011

Might have to do something with price levels and versatility. How much Smarts do you see in France compared to the IQ?

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Shaker on Feb 13, 2011

One of these would fit nicely in my small driveway, but I fear that my 6'4" frame would not fit nicely in the iQ...

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