Toyota has extended its iQ range with the introduction to the line-up of a 1.33-litre engine. This lightweight engine has already been used in Auris, Yaris and Urban Cruiser is offered exclusively in the new iQ3 model. It offers more power than the 1.0 litre entry model. Benefiting from Toyota Optimal Drive technology for a combination of power, fuel economy and low emissions, it uses Dual VVT-i control of both intake and exhaust valves.

Toyota claims that this system delivers strong torque at low to medium engine speeds and achieves maximum efficiency. With manual transmission, this new engine iQ3 returns an official 4.8 litres/100km (58.9mpg) in combined cycle driving, and 113g/km of CO2 – Band A for road tax (€104 annual charge). When the car is equipped with Toyota's new Multidrive CVT system, fuel economy is just as good, while emissions rise slightly to 120g/km, but remain within Band B.

Toyota claims that this achievement is not at the expense of performance. The engine develops a maximum 98bhp at 6,000rpm and peak torque of 125Nm at 4,400rpm. In acceleration terms the 0 to 100km/hr race can be achieved in 11.8 seconds (11.6 with Multidrive) and top speed is 170 km/hr. This underlines the fact that iQ is more than just a city runabout, giving a strong, stable and enjoyable drive at motorway speeds.

The car is matched to a compact, lightweight six-speed manual gearbox and the engine features Toyota's Stop & Start system. This automatically cuts the engine when the car comes to a stop and the gear shift is moved to neutral; when a gear is selected, the engine restarts quickly (in just 0.4 seconds) and seamlessly, thanks to the use of a permanently engaged gear mechanism. In urban driving, iQ's natural environment, Toyota claims that the Stop & Start can yield fuel consumption savings of up to 15 per cent.

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