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INNOVATION
No1:
The position
of the gearbox differential dictates the position of a car’s
driven wheels and is traditionally a limiting factor on how
space under the bonnet can be used. Toyota’s brainwave was the
simple but highly effective idea of moving the differential in
front of the engine, a concept that opens up new and radical
opportunities for iQ’s small-but-spacious design.
This clever
piece of engineering brings three key advantages:
1. The
space under the bonnet can be made more compact.
2. The
front wheels can be positioned at the far corners of the car,
with almost no front overhang.
3. The
length of the cabin can be extended, without increasing the
car’s overall size. iQ’s interior gains an additional 120mm
compared to the Toyota Yaris.
Installing
the differential so far forward reduces the distance from the
front edge of the bumper to the accelerator pedal, allowing more
space in the passenger compartment.
By moving the
large, 15-inch alloy wheels further out to the corners of the
car and minimising the front overhang, iQ gains a distinctive
“super stance”. This firmly planted look broadcasts the car’s
great stability and a fun-to-drive character, qualities far in
advance of the traditionally modest dynamic performance of small
city cars. |
