'Revolutionary' Toyota IQ now in Malta
Toyota are to demonstrate the new Toyota IQ tomorrow with an open day at their Michael Debono Ltd showroom in Zebbug between 9 am and 2 pm.
Hailed as revolutionary, the Toyota IQ is a sophisticated car which, thanks to ingenious packaging has enough interior space for three adults, plus a child or luggage despite measuring less than three metres in length.
The “I“ in IQ stands for individuality, whilst at the same time also expressing “innovation” and “intelligence”. “Q” stands for “quality” and also suggesting that its “cubic” stature gives a “cue” to new value and lifestyle, Toyota said.
The Japanese carmaker insists that despite its small size, the IQ is an extremely robust vehicle. The four wheels - placed at the extremities of each corner – give the IQ a self-assured ‘super stance’.
The car comes with ABS, EBD and Vehicle Stability Control with Traction Control that enables 360° control in difficult situations. It also has nine airbags including the world’s first rear window curtain shield airbag.
Michael Debono Ltd will also extend showroom opening hours till 9 p.m. next week and are offering test drives.
18 Comments
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G.Pisani
Feb 3rd 2009, 13:26
@ Robert Bezzina
Mr.Bezzina you are talking to an owner of a Toyota Yaris, the car is great but it isn't perfect either. It gave me some serious trouble after just 4 months of purchase(new). I will be first to buy the air car if it ever comes to Malta. Yes it might need energy to fill the tank but in just 3 minutes the tank is filled. Can't imagine alot of fossil fuel is used. Of-course it is innovation, it's the first air powered car. Stop being a fanboy and be realistic.
Robert Bezzina
Feb 2nd 2009, 22:59
The day I would trade a Toyota for a Tata will be the day when pigs fly. And I mean real pigs not a pig shaped airship. Running on compressed air....hmmm that's sounds innovative...mechanics use it constantly to loosen/tighten bolts whilst industry uses endless amounts of automation operated by air. And let me see, where does compressed air come from? Electric compressors that consume electricity that is created from generators driven by .....what? fossil fuels i guess. That would mean emission free when driving the car but is that so?
Unfortunately there's nothing like a free lunch especially where alternative energy is concerned. I would first wait to see a tata that is as reliable as a toyota (where standard technology is concerned) before i praise them for innovation
G.Pisani
Feb 2nd 2009, 19:45
This is not revolution, especially at that price tag! There is no mention regarding the C02 emissions, should have been electric. I think the real company who is working on innovation is Tata believe it or not. They will be releasing the first air powered car (probably an air-nano) at around 3,500 euros. Now that is what I call innovation, the Indians teaching the Japanese.
Noel Ciantar
Feb 2nd 2009, 11:03
On second thoughts... Let me suppose that I convince myself to fork out Euro 14,000 from my hard earned money to replace my car.... My inlaws call we to pick them up from the airport and I turn up with my new Toyota IQ.Will my father inlaw convince my Kunjata to go sit in the back seat? Will she manage to get out? Will the luggage fit inside? I guess I need an other test drive!
c galea
Feb 1st 2009, 20:24
The only photo of a bit of tarmac without potholes.
One torn tyre and two flats this week ....and will have to scrap my car next year as cannot afford the yearly increase in the road tax.
Keep up the pothole count !
Noel Ciantar
Feb 1st 2009, 16:47
I test drove the Toyota IQ today and it seems to be a brilliant gem of a car. I am very disappointed though, It is offered at about Euro 14,000 in malta while in UK the price starts from the equivalent of Euro 8,500. Seems that the new registration regime which is supposed to favour small cars did not do much for the Toyota IQ
Nigel Lawrence
Feb 1st 2009, 13:23
Very good of the agent to let us know how much this thing costs!
daniel zammit
Feb 1st 2009, 12:01
Dont you get it this car has an IQ so most probably it will be able to see all those pot holes present on our roads and most probably be able to avoid them as well !
Andrew Hughes
Feb 1st 2009, 03:35
What should come first is not the price but the CO2 emissions, and there is no mention of these either. If the car were really so innovative, it would be a hybrid or an all electric car. One of the most important measures in reducing pollution levels must be to insist on clean cars...a truly Innovative Quality car will not be pouring more filth into the atmosphere but helping to move people around without harming the island and its environment. This car may have a 21st century body, but I bet its got a very 20th century soul.
Trevor Mallia
Jan 31st 2009, 21:41
Nice Car. I hope that, as usual, we are not the most expensive place in europe to buy it, or at least to register it.
I checked how much it costs in the Uk to register a car imported second hand from the EU, and it came down to around 500 euros. And here the same car imported from the UK costs 4000 euros.
C A Camilleri
Jan 31st 2009, 19:03
Excellent car; but did Toyota test drive it on Maltese roads. This is the same thing as hotels. We might have excellent hotels but the envoronment does not compliment them. Same as for cars.
lgalea
Jan 31st 2009, 16:16
john mahoney
You are absolutely correct.
Whenever I don't see the price I never go and ask.
Are they afraid that people will be able to compare the price with that at other european countries?
As far as I know, all items for sale should have their price on them.
Why is this not being enforced especially when they costs thousands of euros?
Gianni Xuereb
Jan 31st 2009, 15:50
'Revolutionary': does it come with wings ?
They should add a new optional accessory in the booklets: pot-hole resistant. This should be included in the standard package for Malta, kindly sponsored by our dear gov :)
M Borg
Jan 31st 2009, 15:25
@J Mahoney
Obvisioly they won't get the price! It's LM6000! compared to other vehicles..which you get more comfort since they are wider and bigger it is expensive!
Graham Crocker
Jan 31st 2009, 12:47
S. Calleja, we need a hovercraft not a car to drive on these roads ;)
john mahoney
Jan 31st 2009, 12:23
Whenever I come by whole pages devoted to introducing new cars on the market(volumes) I notice photos of the cars, specifications, etc etc. Why do the distributors keep omitting the most important thing for the would be customer? The price. I am of the opinion that if people see an approximate price tag they will start comparing..........Can anyone please confirm my theory that they hope customers would go themselves to check the price?I say this is poor marketing as nowadays the price comes before everything else
Delany Stewart
Jan 31st 2009, 11:52
Whats a Nice Car like that doing in a place like Malta one may ask? i hope it carries loads of spare parts starting with the shock absorbers, and the owner will get to know how to use the left and right indicators. Apart from all that it looks for a woman to drive hope it got plenty of holders for the hand free mobile and a hook for the rosery.
Del. Manchester
S. Calleja
Jan 31st 2009, 10:41
Nice car! Ideal for the urban environment. Pity you can't enjoy a nice smooth ride on our roads, besides the damage you cause to the car due to the state of our roads, after having forked out your life savings to buy it.