DENSO has developed an air-conditioning unit that is approximately 20% smaller than conventional products. The new system will be installed on Toyota’s iQ, which is scheduled for launch in Japan in November and in Europe in early 2009.

DENSO reduced the size of the blower fan for the new air-conditioning unit, allowing the blower unit containing the blower fan to be reduced by almost half the size of the conventional unit.

The new air-conditioning unit also can be mounted in the center of the instrument panel to create more legroom for the front passenger. DENSO achieved this by integrating the blower unit--which generally is separated from the main unit and located above the front passenger’s leg space--into the uppermost side of the main unit.