Toyota Motor is gearing up to start sales of its new micro-premium car, the 'iQ*1', in Japan, from November 20. Toyota hopes to prove that its tiny 10-feet car car can be "top-notch".

The 'iQ*1' will carry a pricetag starting 1.4 million yen (US$14,000). The company is eyeing to sell 2,500 units of the car a month.

The iQ combines outstanding performance and superior quality in an ultra-compact form that dispels conventional notions about small cars.

A newly designed platform enables an ultra-efficient package that seats four in a vehicle 2,985mm long by 1,680mm wide by 1,500mm high.

A 1.0-litre engine delivers outstanding cruising and environmental performance, offers a very high level of fuel efficiency and also meets the new 2015 Japanese standards on fuel efficiency under the recently introduced JC08 test cycle.

The iQ is highly responsive at low and medium speeds, provides stable cruising performance at high speeds, and has a minimum turning radius of 3.9 m-one of the shortest in the industry. In addition, a S-VSC (Steering-assisted Vehicle Stability Control) system and a total of nine airbags, including the world's first*2 SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) rear window curtain shield airbag, are fitted on all models. The car will drive into Europe in early 2009.

Specifications
Length                          2,985mm

Width                           1,680mm

Height                          1,500mm

Seatin                           4

Engine                          1KR-FE, (1.0 liter)

Powertrain                 Front-engine, Super front-wheel

Transmission             CVT-i*1                     

Some features

• Cutting-edge design
• The iQ embodies the Toyota vehicle design philosophy of "Vibrant Clarity" by fusing conflicting elements to create something that is "small yet spacious".
• Mathematical models based on conch shells and water ripples were used to create interior and exterior lines, surfaces and designs reflecting the beauty of nature.
• The wheel arches, emphasized by the placement of the 15-inch wheels as close to the four corners of the vehicle as possible, and the robust front view all integrate with the flowing body lines to convey stability and dynamism.
• "Aero-corners" designed into the front and rear bumpers emphasize the strength of the wheel arches and provide outstanding aerodynamic performance.
• The world's first high and low beam integrated projector headlights and LED rear combination taillights are testament to the iQ's cutting-edge status.
• Door mirrors with highly visible built-in turning signals come standard.
• Nine body colors, including the new Jade Green Metallic, are available.
• The center cluster and door trim, the design of which was influenced by the motion of a manta ray, help create a refined interior space.
• The angular instrument panel combines with the flowing curves of the center cluster to create a space that feels both technologically advanced and natural.
• The seats, steering wheel, and gear shift knob feature real leather for a high-quality feel (in the 100G "Leather Package").
• The steering wheel, instead of being fully circular, has a flat bottom section to facilitate comfortable operation and ease of ingress and egress.
• Available steering-wheel-mounted audio system controls enhance operability.
• The angle-adjustable white, round LED map light provides broad light.
• The temperature, mode, and airflow of the automatic air conditioning are adjustable through a single dial.