Toyota iQ Goes Vegas-Outrageous At Sema Show
SEMA Show-time in Las Vegas for Toyota is all about giving iQ the kind of look-at-me dazzle that’s perfect for the world’s most famous adult playground. The specialist auto show is hosting an array of full-blooded customised versions that take the style-setting urban car into a new world of pumped bodywork and pimped interiors.
Three iQ have been created for the show’s Tuner Challenge, with a fourth custom special displaying a radical chop-top look. They are joined at SEMA by further American-market models that have been given ultimate makeovers, plus some of Toyota’s latest State-side racing machinery.
Michael Chang, Jon Sibal and Tatsu are the famous tuners who have worked their magic on iQ. Chang has produced the iQ-RS, giving the car the full motorsport treatment: key elements include a carbon fibre body kit, Air Runner suspension, Sparco race seats and Advan Racing wheels.
Sibal’s iQ RX has a full body kit courtesy of Veilside, finished in a subtle matte metallic grey and bronze pearl paint finish. The engine has extra punch thanks to a Nitrous Express injection kit, and the wheels are 18-inch three-piece forged HRE rims. Again, Air Runner suspension sits the car close to the ground.
Tatsu’s iQ-MR takes an even more radical approach, moving the engine – rebuilt by Mavrik Motorsports – amid-ships to drive the rear wheels. The bodywork has been customised with new panels from Speciality Cars and 16-inch Sakura wheels from Axis are fitted.
These tuner specials are joined by the Pit Boss Cartel iQ, a chop-top designed for duty as a racing pits support vehicle. Cartel has removed the roof, reduced the size of the doors and fitted tough metal interior panels and carbon fibre seats and trims.
More radical still, this iQ can be controlled by iPad and serves as a mobile WiFi hotspot and power charging station.
SEMA also marks the public debut of the first race car to be developed from the new, third generation Yaris. The Yaris B-Spec Club Racer will be competing in SCCA championship racing in the USA next year, driven by American BMX star Jamie Bestwick.
The SEMA show opens at the Las Vegas Convention Center on 1 November.
ENDS
