Toyota will bring its iQ city car to North America by 2012, badged as a Scion model. Scion debuted a concept of the iQ (shown above) at the New York Auto Show this year. When it does launch, however, expect it to look significantly more tame.

Currently the  mini car (about the size of a SMART fortwo) is sold in Europe and Asia and three engines are offered. Once it makes its way to North America we are likely to get the 1.33-liter four-cylinder with 99hp. Although according to Toyota a 1.6-liter engine will fit.

The iQ is technically a 3+1, meaning that it can seat three adults and one child. This is possible by locating the passenger seat ahead of the driver’s seat so that there is actual leg room for a rear passenger on the passenger’s side.

The iQ is also slated to be the base of an electric vehicle due out in 2012, and recently Aston Martin announced it was working on a concept, the Cygnet, that is based on the iQ.

The Scion iQ is expected in either 2010 or 2011 as a 2011 or 2012 model.

GALLERY: Scion iQ

[Source: Motor Trend]

Scion wowed the audience at the New York Auto Show with its radioactive iQ Concept. The micro-car, which is based on the Toyota iQ currently on sale in Japan and Europe, got some SEMA-style with 18-inch wheels and a widebody designed by Five Axis. 

We’d like to say this vehicle will make it to market but considerng Scion’s track record of continuously debuting concept cars while key models in the company’s product range (cough… tC… cough) grow old, it’s anyones guess.

The iQ Concept is designed for urban youth and is roughly the size of a SMART car, making it about two feet shorter in length than a Yaris.

Inside the iQ gets plenty of high-tech gadgetry with a 10-inch LCD screen that flips out of the center console. This screen is used to operate all of the vehicle’s entertainment functions and doubles as a DVD player when the vehicle is in park. And when not in use the screen folds flat to deliver a screen-saver-like light show.

Powered by a 93 hp 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine, the iQ is already efficient, but to help driver’s get the most out of their micro-compact, the iQ comes equipped with an “eco lamp” that lights up under efficient driving.

In terms of safety, the iQ Concept has all the modern safety features you might expect as well as a few surprises. In total, the cabin has nine airbags, including a world’s first rear curtain airbag.  

“We believe the Scion iQ micro-subcompact concept is the future of  transportation,” said Jack Hollis, VP at Scion.  “If it should join our future line-up, I think it could reach iconic status like our xB. Its styling will attract attention and if it’s a Scion, you know it’ll be easy to personalize.” 

More on the Scion iQ Concept after the jump: