The next Scion xB?
Autoblog reader JJ sent us over a link to Toyota's Japanese site, where they've got the new production-version Toyota bB, North America's Scion xB, up online. (The bB minisite is all-Flash, and it's got to be seen - and heard - to be believed.) Toyota calls the new bB "a car-shaped music player" with nine speakers strategically located throughout the vehicle to maximize the aural experience. It also carries over the element from the bB concept at Tokyo that we all thought was so cool -- lights that flash in time with the music to create a nightclub feel.
The Japanese-market bB comes in six versions, with various combinations of 1.3- and 1.5-liter engines, front wheel drive or four wheel drive, and trim packages. Toyota is also offering a full line of customizing parts. It goes on sale in January. More specs and pics of basic and customized versions after the jump.
[Source: Toyota]
Toyota Press Release (excerpts)
The new bB retains the strengths of the previous bB and strives to embody the lifestyle of people who want to be surrounded by music everywhere they go, adopting the development theme of "A Car-shaped Music Player" to satisfy the preferences of the younger generation.
With an emphasis on "sound", "illumination", and "relaxation", the new bB seeks to create an interior space in which one can be completely immersed in music. To achieve this, the bB incorporates an audio system that uses the latest in acoustic technology and features interior lighting that flashes in rhythm to the music, while newly developed front seats help create a sense of privacy.
A Creative Interior, Equipped to Enhance the Joy of Music
- With an emphasis on "sound", "illumination" and "relaxation", the new bB nurtures an unprecedented feeling of relaxation and establishes a creative interior space for the enjoyment of music.
- The instrument panel employs a large and smooth, stadium-like shape with a subwoofer in the center console and tweeters on both sides, forming a space akin to an enclosed DJ booth.
- Nine speakers are optimally located around the interior—a subwoofer in the center console, and speakers and tweeters in the left and right front doors, instrument panel and front pillars—creating powerful bass tones and the feeling of being surrounded 360 degrees by music in a high-quality sound space.
- Four different audio modes, using surround DSP (digital signal processing) technology, accommodate listener preferences and the situation at hand.
- An input jack facilitates a direct connection with portable music players to input music from a variety of sources.
- Illumination is installed in 11 locations, including around the speakers, and in the cup holders and door trim, and it flashes in rhythm to the music, creating an atmosphere akin to a nightclub or live music concert.
- Three kinds of illumination modes are available to choose from, to accommodate one's personal preferences and the surrounding environment.
- The newly developed "Mattari-mode seats" ("laid-back" mode seats) in the front not only recline, they sink about 80mm to create a couch-like feeling. This delivers an unprecedented feeling of relaxation and privacy.
Individualistic Styling that Appeals to Youthful Sensibilities
- Based on the Toyota-brand design philosophy "Vibrant Clarity," an all-new, three-dimensional structure and surface expression are adopted to craft an individualistic form.
- The door profile and front and rear of the vehicle feature contours that create distinctive shadows. The high character lines that form an arc from the front to the rear express a "sensually edgy attitude". The unique hatchback creates a "wild" atmosphere with a strong sense of presence to express the identity of the bB.
- Although the overall length has been shortened, the wheelbase is extended to create an interior space like that of the previous bB, and there are numerous, highly functional storage spaces.
Brisk Driving and Comfortable Ride
- Brisk and comfortable driving performance and fuel economy are achieved through the use of a newly developed 1.5-liter VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) engine or an improved-output 1.3-liter VVT-i engine and a smooth and responsive, super-intelligent, four-speed automatic transmission, or Super ECT.
- Despite a longer wheelbase, wider wheel tread and wide tires, the minimum turning radius is just 4.9 meters (0.6 meters less than the previous model), greatly improving maneuverability.
- Body rigidity has been increased and vibration-controlling and sound-blocking materials have been optimally installed in various parts of the body to reduce engine noise while driving and vibration while idling.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
J T 8:22AM (12/27/2005)
Let's see... Hmmmm.... Nope - still ugly.
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Ron 8:47AM (12/27/2005)
This thing just keeps getting uglier.. lol
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CHRIS SMITH 9:25AM (12/27/2005)
I LIKE IT BUT IT NEED MORE POWER AND BE ABLE TO PUT BIGGER RIM AND TIRE PACKAGE ON IT BUT IN ALL IT LOOK GOOD SLEEKER 3 STAR
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zverg 9:27AM (12/27/2005)
I think I'm going to vomit *vomits*
I feel much better now. Ugh that thing is aweful.
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Rene Curry 10:05AM (12/27/2005)
What's interesting is the mini-van trends in Hong Kong & Japan. In the states we wouldn't be caught dead in a mini-van. In Hong Kong they get all decked out. The mid sized Nissan & Toyota's can be regularly seen in Hong Kong with body cladding, exhaust, wheels & the like.
Yea, I think it's ugly and wouldn't want one, but the trend for all types of urban vehicles for you and your friends to get about town may take hold.
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wheelsee 10:36AM (12/27/2005)
It's long been said...that the next xB will be an american only design and based more on the t2B concept shown last year...
-wC
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Sid Ghosh 11:04AM (12/27/2005)
This is BS. Get the Mazda5 if you want practical space and fun to drive.
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Carlos 11:32AM (12/27/2005)
I love living in a time where such ridiculous vehicles can reach production.
Props to Toyota. I sure wouldn't want one, but seeing weird cars go by would make the roads funner than seeing all the blandness that everyone buys.
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Thad 11:32AM (12/27/2005)
Does anyone else think this looks an awful lot like a PT Cruiser?
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Brian 12:18PM (12/27/2005)
"Does anyone else think this looks an awful lot like a PT Cruiser?"
I just think it's awful.
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Za 12:24PM (12/27/2005)
Looks like a very small diesel locomotive.
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Glen 12:51PM (12/27/2005)
Yikes, that's nasty.
But like the current one, it will sell cuz it's a Toyota.
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Nick Nguyen 1:03PM (12/27/2005)
When I was at Ford, someone showed a picture of the Scion xB, and a few people in the audience snickered. Then the presenter, who was in charge of competitive analysis for the company told everyone that Scion was on track to blow through their projected numbers and sell well in excess of 100K vehicles for the year, even considering their limited launch in the US for the first few months. I think this product will only expand Scion's presence in the US, particularly with the younger set who will then develop loyalty to Toyota.
You all can laugh, but that just makes you out of touch with the car buying public, and just as dumb as the Ford and GM product planners who have no idea how to market to youth.
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Levi 2:36PM (12/27/2005)
As an 05 xB owner, I have to say that I think this is too ugly to make it to the American market. I love my xB for what it is (a small utility vehicle) and how it looks, but damn, the ass-end of this thing looks like some kind of fscked up minivan.
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Sid Ghosh 2:48PM (12/27/2005)
"You all can laugh, but that just makes you out of touch with the car buying public, and just as dumb as the Ford and GM product planners who have no idea how to market to youth."
We WILL laugh, Nick. Very few normal CAR-loving youth want a music system on wheels with a discotheque interior and a 1.3L engine. This urban, pimp-my-ride, ricer BS is a fad and it's best if it dies sooner than later.
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GuywithSocks 3:24PM (12/27/2005)
I think you all missed the most prized feature of the bB...
The horizontal-hokey-pokey reclining seats. Yes, folks. Get your groove on in your new bB all freaky like with the lean back seats and dancing illumination.
Check out the flash sight and the Mattari Seats. LOL
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djSyndrome 3:42PM (12/27/2005)
"This urban, pimp-my-ride, ricer BS is a fad and it's best if it dies sooner than later."
It's been around for well over a decade now and shows no signs of abating. You can ignore it or you can accept it, or you can be smart like Toyota and make some money off of it.
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RocketPunch 3:59PM (12/27/2005)
I don't get how anyone would buy this at all?? Is it the brillance of Toyota marketing? or the stupidity of the buying public??
It is overprived and under power......
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djSyndrome 4:11PM (12/27/2005)
"I don't get how anyone would buy this at all?? Is it the brillance of Toyota marketing? or the stupidity of the buying public?? "
Mostly the former - Scion has been a success because there is (and always will be) a market for cheap, reliable cars that come comprehensively equipped. Apparently Scion's good fortunes have not gone unnoticed, as Nissan and Honda will both have sub-$13k cars on the market by next summer. They will both have a harder time than Scion (and even Toyota's own Yaris), because neither will likely have the standard equipment level or no-haggle pricing of the Scions.
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Chris 5:01PM (12/27/2005)
It just goes to show you CAN polish a turd...
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