Rumors that Toyota will send its iQ super subcompact to America appear to be true -- with one twist. Our sources indicate the iQ will debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in November not as a Toyota, but as the latest addition to the Scion lineup.

Even though the tiny three-plus-one seat iQ (three adults, one child) was designed for Europe and Japan, there is a strong business case for bringing it here as a Scion.

Toyota, busy with the launch of the next-generation Prius, doesn't need another small gas sipper to steal its marketing thunder -- particularly one that could poach sales from the Yaris, the brand's other high miler.

One of the concerns with tiny cars like the Smart ForTwo and upcoming Toyota iQ is safety. Automakers have long relied on having some crumple zones built into the structure of the car that could absorb the kinetic energy of an impact as they collapse. That's simply not possible in these microcars. Toyota has therefore developed the world's first rear curtain bag to help protect passengers in the diminutive rear seat of the iQ. Toyota claims the inflatable cushion will double the rear head protection performance of the iQ. The iQ should be appearing in final production form this week at the Paris Motor Show.

When Toyota revealed the tiny city car called the iQ back in March, we were struck by its looks, but didn't think of putting one on display in one of these rooms where everything echoes. But, thanks to a new partnership between Toyota and the Royal College of Art, the iQ has indeed made it from the expo floor to the art gallery. Toyota and the RCA apparently believe that the "revolutionary new iQ is to provide the inspiration for the finest new design talent." And here we thought it would be an efficient way to drive in a city. Hm.

The partnership's main purpose is a design competition for students and college alumni that explore "intelligent urban living design." The main reason for the exhibit - aside from the promotional angle - is to showcase the "six space-saving, interlinked engineering innovations that represent a break-through in Toyota's vehicle development" that allowed Toyota to pack four seats (well, 3+1) into the iQ. More from Toyota after the jump. The iQ remains on display through Tuesday.

Squeezing our 6-foot-3 frame behind the thick, sporty steering wheel of the 2009 Toyota iQ, we immediately notice just how spacious the cabin feels. Only when you're standing outside the Toyota iQ do you realize how short it is, less than 10 feet long from the tip of the front bumper to the end of the back bumper.

Due to be unveiled at the 2008 Paris Auto Show on October 2, the 2009 Toyota iQ is a kind of four-passenger Smart car. It's so innovative in its concept, packaging and design that it might just become the new yardstick for small cars.

When we drove this vision of the future here in Japan, we couldn't help but think that the massive influence of Toyota will tip the balance in favor of minimalist cars like the iQ and make them mainstream transportation instead of high-fashion indulgence. When it goes on sale in Japan in mid-October and then Europe a couple months later, the 2009 Toyota iQ could become Japan's answer to the Fiat 500, the Smart Fortwo and Volkswagen up!