The small car Toyota and Scion fans have been eagerly awaiting for more than a year is just several months away from launch and in the lead up to that day we now have the all-important pricing information.

We’re of course talking about the new 2012 Scion iQ, the U.S.-spec Toyota iQ minicar, which has been on sale in Japan and Europe since 2009. In the U.S. the iQ will set you back $15,995, which includes destination. Note, it's arrival here was delayed somewhat by the recent Japanese earthquake and tsunami disasters as well as a holdup during the testing of prototypes on local roads.

Only one engine will be offered at launch, a 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit rated at 90 horsepower and matched to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While the starting price may seem steep for such a small car, Pandora radio will be included as standard.

Note that this pricing is also on par with the comparable Fiat 500, which lists for $15,500, and is actually cheaper than the Ford Fiesta, which starts at $16,295. However, the Nissan Versa seems cheap at $13,520 as does the Smart ForTwo at $11,990 for the most basic model.

First sales are scheduled to start on the West Coast this October and will gradually spread to the East Coast and Southern states in January of next year. The Mid-West, where trucks still dominate the roads, will be last to see the diminutive iQ.

EPA figures are yet to be announced but on the less conservative European cycle the car is good for a combined fuel economy of up to 56 mpg.

The Scion iQ was first unveiled as a concept car at the 2009 New York Auto Show, and then shown in production trim at the following year's show. For more details on the car, click here.

[AutoWeek]

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