June 30, 2009
iQuito, the city's sensei
I've been in Madrid for over 10 years and I don't own a car. I had one back then, but since I'm not a native of Madrid, I don't feel that imperative need to have my own vehicle to go from one place to another. My Madrid is explored on foot or by public transport. This is my firm belief until I'm lent a temporary means of transport, and then I'm happy to take half a minute to get from one place to another, not have to fight with the ladies who insist on cutting in line on the bus to get a seat, and listen to music and have the air conditioning at the level I want. When does the spell wear off? When I have to find parking.
That's why I believe that in the city, it only makes sense to buy small cars. When you see them parked perpendicularly to the sidewalk in a tiny space between two cars, you admire them, like... that's small, assert yourself among so many presumptuous ones. A new specimen that promises to be the talk of the town is joining this new breed of cars specially designed for the most brutal asphalt, the 
Toyota IQ.
What eyes it has, it looks at you fiercely, it certainly doesn't have a short complex
I don't know what it is about the
IQ, but everyone I know has liked it from the start. Even in the TV commercials, my Husband would say, "that car looks good". He uses the car more than a taxi driver and knows firsthand the advantages of "rolling balls" as he calls them.
Oh baby, baby, oh baby, baby, do you want to get in my car?
I think the first success has been the name,
IQ, it reminds me of E.T. Then there's something about the exterior design of this car that people like. I think it's because it looks like a manga warrior Japanese. Look closely, if it had appeared in the movie "Cars", it would be a karate teacher named IQuito, whom the students would initially underestimate and then end up respecting after he gave them a good beating in a city race.
GRRRRRRrrrrrr!!!
So when they wrote to me to go to the launch party, I was delighted to meet him.
Necklace: inheritance from my great-aunt, the Marchioness of H&M, Tank top: Abercrombie, Top: Proenza Schouler, Authentic 80's black leather skirt from my stepsisters, Shoes: Zara, Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Yes, I'm wearing the corporate colors in my top, necklace, and skin because I can't be any paler. I really don't like sunbathing. Are you one of those who feel self-conscious wearing a mini skirt with pale legs? I don't care much, but I'm wondering if maybe I should.
Necklace: inheritance from my great-aunt, the Marchioness of H&M, Tank top: Abercrombie, Top: Proenza Schouler, Authentic 80's black leather skirt from my stepsisters, Shoes: Zara, Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs
In fact, without realizing it, I even dressed in the corporate colors of the
IQ. You see how I am, such attention to detail. I hope Yellow Pages never invites me to an event.
Yes, I'm wearing the corporate colors in my top, necklace, and skin because I can't be any paler. I really don't like sunbathing. Are you one of those who feel self-conscious wearing a mini skirt with pale legs? I don't care much, but I'm wondering if maybe I should.
The truth is that it's handsome. At first glance, you like the design, the color, the spaciousness, but at night all cats are gray, so we agreed to see each other better in daylight the next day and take a ride around Madrid. The surprise was that I took him to meet 9 other girls who would help me put him to the test.
iQuito came with me to help the girls from Las Meriendas de Wendy with the transport of fabrics, materials, etc. for the sale on the 5th at the Anti Café (c/ Unión, 2. Madrid).
Let's see if the trunk is mannequin and fabric roll proof
Fabrics printed by Silvia Calles, you can't imagine what this woman can do with these fabrics
After testing the car for a whole day, I must say that it's surprisingly comfortable to drive around the city. It fits into any space, it's like a mouse, it dodges and most importantly, it spins like a top. A van can stop a foot away from you, and with one maneuver, you're out of its way. Parking is also a joy. To go up the M-40 hills overtaking, it's better to stay in the right lane or gain momentum.
More fabrics printed by Lucetemas. You'll be able to see them all made up at the Anti
What about fitting 4 people... hm... let's say it fits 2 people, a child, and a dog, or two people and their luggage, or 3 people with the one in the back lying down. For 2 people, it's perfect, the third one needs to be negotiated.
However, we all loved the air conditioning, bless it, powerful and with quick reaction capacity, because these days a minute in the car waiting for it to cool down is like an hour in hell.
Another great and well-thought-out feature is the space between the two front seats; I'm convinced it's for placing your handbag and thus preventing it from being stolen by the motorcyclists who have become so common in Madrid. Call me paranoid, but I know people whose car windows have been broken at a traffic light to steal their bags, so thank you, Toyota, for looking out for women's safety.
And for men and dogs and everyone, because it has 9 airbags, 9, meaning that if all 9 go off at once, I think the car would float.
Fabrics printed by Lady Desidia. I assure you, you'll be amazed if you come meet us on the 5th
The
IQ had a good time with us; in the end, we even tried to fit all of us inside, and we did! We'd have to amputate a couple of legs, but not much more.
Jokes aside, the car is cool, a good alternative to motorcycles because it moves almost as fast and is undoubtedly a thousand times safer. We usually travel by motorcycle to go from the workshops to Pontejos to fabric stores, and when IQuito left us, we felt quite sad. If you're still eager to try it, you can find instructions on how to request one here.
Kisses to all and we hope to see you on the 5th. You can get to the Anti by car, motorcycle, subway, on foot, or however you like, and once there, the air conditioning is as powerful as the IQ's.