Toyota created the compact SUV segment in Europe when it launched the RAV4 on the market in the nineties. Since then, various competitors have joined the battle and the segment is rather overcrowded. Even the French carmakers have recently joined in. It is time for Toyota to apply the same recipe to another segment, the sub-compact SUV market, which does not really exist. The Japanese carmaker will unveil a small SUV at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show.
The small SUV will be based on the recently launched Toyota Ist. The Ist’s design might not please European consumers so, aware of this, Toyota will shape the small SUV by taking inspiration from the 2006 Urban Cruiser concept car.
No information is available regarding the engines. In Japan, the Ist is available with 1.5 liter petrol engine that produces a power of 108bhp at 6000rpm and a torque of 101 lbs/ft at 4400rpm.
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