Car Knowledge

The tiny Toyota iQ and the rugged, mean looking Urban Cruiser are both being showcased in their final form at the October Paris Motor Show in final production trim.

The iQ is the world’s smallest premium four seater and has been described as the new mini, with a verve and a swagger that obliterates the aging smart cars.

The car also has the same presence and safety attributes of bigger cars and produces just a mere 99g/km of CO2.

The iQ will offer 360° protection to all occupants with high levels of active and passive safety as well as a revolutionary new safety feature in the form of the world’s first curtain shield airbags installed behind the rear seats.

Although the problem is highlighted during our test drive as David balks: “squeezing my 6-foot-3 frame behind the thick, sporty steering wheel of the 2009 Toyota iQ, I immediately notice just how spacious the cabin feels. Only when you’re standing outside the Toyota iQ do you realize how short it is, less than 10 feet long from the tip of the front bumper to the end of the back bumper.”

It will be powered by three-cylinder gasoline engine is the base unit, a four-cylinder micro-hybrid is the mid-range and a four-cylinder diesel tops the line.

Toyota is also proud to present the 1.4-litre D-4D diesel All Wheel Drive (AWD) Toyota Urban Cruiser.

It has a very masculine, rugged exterior design, high level of safety equipment and CO2 emissions level of only 133g/km for the AWD version which is very competitive for the soft 4×4’s of today and with its mix of fun, practicality and durability will be a huge development for the sector.

The Paris motor show will be the showcase for the preview of the all new and British-built Toyota Avensis.

On 2nd October 2008 the Toyota Avensis will be taking pride of place at the show as an important seller for the Japanese car maker, it is hoped that the sleek design and strong individual character will mean that the car is a hit in Europe.

As the third generation of the Avensis the latest model is to be built at the Burnaston plant in Derbyshire and is available with a new engine range that offers more power and lower CO2 emissions which means that the Avensis will be a more attractive company car option.

In todays market the Avensis will be competitive due to its high quality, refinement and equipment levels.

It will be on sale in January 2009 with full details and pricing to be published later in the year.