Toyota’s massive 526-point iQ

THE world’s smallest four-seater passenger car has taken out the 2008 Japan Car of the Year award – even though it has yet to officially go on sale over there.

Released at last month’s Paris motor show and on sale in Japan from tomorrow (November 20), Toyota’s three-metre-long iQ scooped the top ranking from 39 of the 66 jurors on the COTY committee to record a convincing 526 votes.

Citroen’s C5 came in at a surprising second place with 223 votes, beating the fancied Nissan GT-R (201), the Audi A4 (180) and the Jaguar XF (115).

Interestingly, last year’s European COTY-winning Fiat 500 could only manage seventh (90), behind the Daihatsu Tanto.

Rounding out the top 10 placegetters were the Honda Freed, Mazda6 Atenza and Suzuki Wagon R.

Last year’s winner was the Honda Jazz, which was the second win for the series after the first-generation Jazz claimed the 2001 prize.

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