New car news

18 June 2009 - 10:00

iQ up

Toyota has gone and done it. Yep, it has dropped a massive lump of motor into the tiny iQ. All things are relative, of course, so the new 1.33-litre unit probably won't blow your mind. But it is a whole 33 per cent bigger than the dinky 1.0-litre that's been in the car until now.
 
You can still choose the smaller engine, which we've never found to be particularly gutless. Still, we'd never say no to a little more shove. The new engine has 73kW, taking care of 0-100km/h in 11.8 seconds and rocketing on to 170km/h. By which point, the Mondeo man behind you will be swearing violently as he desperately tries to squeeze past.
 
Environmentalists can relax too, because the 1.33 has a stop/start function and a claimed 3.9l/100km with 113g/km C02.
 
Now all we need is a lairy bodykit and a fully sick exhaust. The Scion iQ should do it.