It might be only 2985mm long, 1680mm wide, with a 2.0m wheelbase, yet, the new Toyota iQ did not only find the way to transport up to four passengers in a minimum footprint on the road (such as a turning radius of 3.9 metres), with the frugality of a 3-cylinder 996cc petrol engine (12 valves, 68hp) or a 4-cylinder 1364cc D-4D turbodiesel (16 valves, 90hp).

On top of that, the tiny 4-passenger got also sportier ambitions which will soon materialise in a third version to join in late June (late July in the UK), with a 1.33-litre petrol engine developing 99hp. Considering the size, 99hp are not to be taken too lightly.

Yet, beyond max. power (99hp/6000rpm), torque (125Nm / 4400rpm) and speed (170km/h, 106mph) considerations, the new 1329cc, 16-valve Dual VVT-i petrol engine will get Toyota's Optimal Drive technology (based on reducing powertrain weight and friction losses while maximising combustion efficiency. Read more), a 6-speed manual transmission and a new Toyota Stop & Start system fitted as standard.

Besides the standard 6-speed manual transmission, also fitted with a standard Stop and Start system, the new iQ 1.33 Dual VVT-i can be ordered with the optional Multidrive continuously variable transmission.

With the standard 6-speed transmission, the 1.33 litre iQ consumes 4.8l/100km in the combined cycle (58.85 miles per imperial gallon, or 49 US mpg) while generating CO₂ emissions of just 113g/km (all fuel economy and emissions figures are preliminary and subject to final homologation).

Toyota says that its new Stop & Start system can reduce fuel consumption by up to 3% (depending on driving conditions), by automatically stopping the engine when the shift lever is moved to the neutral position and the clutch pedal is released. As soon as the clutch pedal is depressed, the engine automatically restarts within less than half a second.

The rapid restart is made possible through the use of a permanently engaged gear mechanism in which the starter motor and the flywheel are linked, via a ring gear, by a one-way clutch. The system is maintenance-free and eliminates the torque limitations of a belt-driven starter motor, while reducing also noise and vibration in cabin during engine start-up.

With the Multidrive transmission, preliminary fuel consumption is 5.1l/100km (55.4 miles per imperial gallon, or 46.12 US mpg), with 120g/km CO₂ emissions.

The 1.33 Dual VVT-i comes with iQ³ grade, including specific 16” alloy wheels and an exclusive ash grey launch colour.

Fitted as standard with nine airbags and Toyota’s VSC+ traction control and dynamic stability technology, in addition to its multi-load path body structure, iQ has been awarded a maximum, 5-star safety rating under the Euro NCAP test criteria introduced in January 2009.