Green Options

Take a look at the future of urban motoring. At least, that’s what UK car manufacturer Lotus would have us believe after revealing an exciting new all-electric car concept that it says most city cars might look like five years from now [video].

After a challenge by car magazine Automotive Engineer, the British design and engineering firm developed a concept some 3.74 inches shorter than a Smart ForTwo and nearly 16 inches shorter than the new Toyota iQ. Amazingly, Lotus reckon there’ll still be enough space for four adults (more photo’s after the jump).

Just yesterday I wrote about what I dubbed as “perhaps the ultimate city car,” the 59 MPG Toyota iQ 4-seater. I also bemoaned Toyota for releasing it in Europe but not in the US.

>>> more on the Toyota/Scion iQ

Well, turns out Toyota is bringing the iQ to the US under the Scion badge. Motor Trend, without citing sources, is claiming that the Scion-branded iQ will be shown to the public at the upcoming LA Auto Show next month.

Perhaps the ultimate city car for the childless, the Toyota iQ includes all of the safety, comfort, and convenience you’d expect from a larger car, but packaged in the world’s smallest 59 mpg 4-seater.

Before the details fanatics among us get all hot and bothered, the 59 mpg (4.0 liters/100 km) rating refers to the diesel iQ’s combined city/highway fuel economy expressed in U.S. miles but as measured by European standards (base directive 80/1268/EEC, latest amendment 2004/3/EC).

With lower carbon dioxide emissions than the Prius — around 159 grams of CO2 emitted per mile by the 1.0 liter gas engine and 166 g/mile for the diesel version — not only does the iQ deliver on fuel economy, but its straight-up conventional engine is a pollution winner too.