MicroCar Magazine » smart

Scion iQ on it’s way!

thomas — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 04:50:34 +0000

photo courtesy of Toyota / Scion Pressroom

Toyota’s Scion brand announced this week that the long awaited MicroCar they have promised us is finally dropping in October! We at MicroCarMag.com are thrilled – We had the chance to scope this interesting piece of automotive art when it made its semi debut in San Francisco for fans of the brand. With a wheelbase of only 10 feet this iQ will compete with SMART and to be released TaTa Nano.

With one of the most interesting configuration the iQ sports a 3+1 seating arrangement that puts the front seat passenger in an offset forward position to allow for a full size adult to sit behind, the +1 means that a younger child or small adult could fit behind the driver.

Power for the iQ will come compliments of a 1.3 liter 4 cylinder VVT-i engine that will produce 94 hp and 89 ft lbs of torq. It’s one of the smaller engines that Toyota has put in one of its modern released vehicles, however you know that many of our project car sponsors will be chomping at the bit to modify the heck out of that little engine.

Not to stand too far apart from the rest of its Scion family – The iQ will have a standard 160 watt stereo with the ability to have a custom greeting screen, use your ipod and other mp3 devices. For a little extra you can upgrade to a 200 watt system or one with a GPS.

The iQ will be available in seven exterior colors, including Blizzard Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Black Sand Pearl, Hot Lava (personal favorite of MicroCarMag), Pacific Blue Metallic and Black Currant Metallic.

Starting at an MSRP of $15,265 plus delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee for all Scion models is $730 and is not included in the MSRP. DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

As soon as we are able to get our hands on one we will have a behind the wheel report of this awesome little beast!

MicroCar Magazine’s founder on Burnout Radio!

thomas — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:31:01 +0000

Catch our founder and editor Thomas Musante talk Micro’s – Fiesta – and even a little about Mustangs and the new 2010 Camero -Burnout Radio on iTunes

smart announces first ever special financing

thomas — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:06:29 +0000

smart today announced that they are going to begin a short term program that will give new buyers of remaining unused 2008 and new 2009 Pure / Passion Coupe / Passion Cabriolet models special 4.2% financing. From what I can find in regards to the smart brand in the US, the only “specials” we ever did see involved was the reserve for $99 when the brand was first introduced to the states. If your interested in this deal however you need to move now, applicants that qualify for this special rate will have to purchase prior to July 31st.

Product Spotlight: GoMiniGo.com The ‘NO HOLES’ License Plate Bracket

thomas — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:39:08 +0000

In most states, especially in California where we are based, it’s required that you run a front license plate. This is not a problem, unless you are running a specialty kit on your Micro Car. For us at MicroCar Magazine that specialty kit came in the form of our DAMD Kit on our 2008 RS 1.0 xD. For the longest time I tried to go without punching holes in the bumper, until we got a fix it ticket from the Los Angeles Parking Enforcement.

Lucky for us, GoMiniGo.com has the all around solution to what could have been resolved by punching holes into our nice bumpers. This wonderful product is the ‘No Holes’ License Plate Bracket, a wonderful solution that uses your car’s already existing tow hook receptacle.

Our Kit came with the following:

Stainless Steel 19mm Bolt

Large Washers (Use as spacers)

Large Lock Washer

One-Piece Plate Bracket

plus other bolts and washers

The best printed instructions designed for your car

Tools Required: 19mm Socket w/Rachet – 10mm Wrench – 4mm Allen Wrench(provided)

GoMiniGo.com could not make this kit any easier to install. Total install took me about 10 minutes!!! The only thing that took the longest was actually removing the piece that was hiding the tow hitch receiver.

GoMiniGo.com offers the ‘No Holes’ License Plate Bracket for all types of Micro Car models, ranging from the Mini Cooper to the SMART. The pricing for this product ranges from $50 – $80, not too bad when you consider that the typical fix-it ticket for no front plate can range from $25 – about $300 depending on who pulls you over.

Check out GoMiniGo.com for the application that works with your MicroCar, or email them and see if they can create an installation for you.