Toyota iQ gets Tuned by Gazoo Racing, Production Limited to 100 Units

Gazoo Racing, which had prepared the two Lexus LF-A race cars for this year's 24 hours of Nurburgring, has joined forces with Toyota to develop a sporty edition of the iQ minicar. Available exclusively in Japan in a limited run of just 100 units, the Toyota iQ Gazoo Racing MN is based on the JDM front-wheel drive iQ 130G.

While the 1.3-liter engine remains stock, Gazoo replaced the JDM model's CVT with a 6-speed manual gearbox and upgraded the brakes and chassis with a stiffer sport suspension that lowers the mini's ride height by 30 mm while the car also gets a sport exhaust system.

The special edition iQ rides on blacked out 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in beefier sport tires while there's also a new bodykit with front and rear aprons as well as side skirts and a roof spoiler plus optional racing decals. Interior mods include newly styled gauges, aluminum pedals and sport seats.

The iQ GR MN is available for order now in Japan with first deliveries expected in November.

While the sporty iQ won't be making it outside Japan, according to recent reports, Toyota's premium city car could go on sale in the States under the Scion brand in the fall 2010.