New Matrix coming Spring '08
Toyota will be updating the Matrix in Spring 2008 and the automaker is using the Mazda3 as its design inspiration (good choice) for the hatchback. The Corolla-based vehicle is already sold in Europe as the Auris and in Japan as the Blade. The US-based Matrix will have different sheet metal than in other markets but it may be taking on the Blade name since Toyota has registered the name with the US Patent and Trademark office. The Japan market Blade has a 2.4L engine producing 158 HP, which would be a big bump from the 126 HP that powers the current Matrix.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jim 7:52AM (2/13/2007)
While I welcome a bit of displacement increase for the Matrix, why go all the way to 2.4L? Just like the Scion xB, went from 1.5 to 2.4, when a nice 2,0 would have been just fine and more than enough, while giving better fuel efficiency.
But I'll certainly forgive that if they just add a telescoping steering column!
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Howard Kerr 7:55AM (2/13/2007)
Love it. The car now known as the Matrix (a name it coincidentally shares with a movie trilogy), will perhaps be re-named to a name used by another movie series. I guess Marvel wanted too much money for the rights to the name X-Men ? The Toyota Lord of The Rings would have fit in with the Japanese perchant for long, odd names...but it would have been a real bitch to get all those letters aligned on the rear deck lid.
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Jim 7:58AM (2/13/2007)
Just checked the Auris on the Toyota UK web site, and indeed it has a telescoping steering column. Yeah! I lived in the UK from 2003 to 2006, and had a Corolla 5-door hatch. Great car, and I wish I could have bought one here (No, the Matrix wasn't the same thing, too tall, tried to be a CUV). Now it look like I'll be able to.
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akintz 7:58AM (2/13/2007)
They sure are loving that 2.4L. The Camry, tC and as mentioned, now xB and "Blade."
So I guess later today we'll see a news post about a redesigned Pontiac Vibe for next year as well?
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Howard Kerr 8:03AM (2/13/2007)
Re Jim,
I imagine one reason Toyota went with the 2.4 in the next Matrix/Blade was because they wanted to move it away from any comparison with the similar-looking xb/xd. Another reason? Does Toyota have a 2 liter engine in any other car/truck in it's U.S. lineup? It's probably using the 2.4 because it will allow Toyota to share the output of an engine plant between two different models. And finally, the 2.4 is used because it allows Toyota to market a car, that on paper at least, is superior to the Mazda3. And judging from the posts here, many car buyers (or at least Toyota buyers) base their vehicle buying decisions on what they read and NOT what they drive.
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Lithous 8:05AM (2/13/2007)
If the name does change it is just another example of the Japanese NOT sticking with a name and refining it like the myth would have us believe. But hey, when your perfect nobody cares what you do, it is always the correct way.
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Peter 8:47AM (2/13/2007)
Not an improvement IMO. The matrix/vibe were on top of my list when I replaced my current 99 zx2.
A big part of the reason was the great fuel econ of the matrix for its size.
With a 2.4L fuel econ will be nothing special.
On styling, I hope pontiac does a better job with the Vibe.
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starlightmica 9:03AM (2/13/2007)
#2 -
Some time back, a friend looked at the Matrix and Highlander, declared them not worth of being the [only] One, said he was waiting for the Toyota Gladiator.
Maybe he'll check out the daywalker next time he's in the market. Of course, ToMoCo is going to call it the "Corolla Blade" make the lump the sales numbers together.
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sheikhness 10:52AM (2/13/2007)
Well, in the beginning of 2004 I was facing a difficult decision - Toyota Matrix or Mazda3. I went with Mazda 2.3 159HP stick and never looked back. I owned it for a little more than 2 years and it's a wonderful car - not a single problem, not even loose plastics and a dream to drive. In general I would say that Toyota has one problem with their mid-tier cars - the interior is too blunt and un-inspiring, while Mazda interior was almost too good to be true for that car class.
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RamSport47 9:31AM (2/13/2007)
so...why the dramatic downsizing from the current Matrix? OH yeah...it doesn't sell
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tikirob 9:37AM (2/13/2007)
I am glad they really need to update this vehicle. I hope Pontiac will get enough of a style change to make it worth looking at or will they drop it.
Rob
http://www.autoshortlist.com
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Michael Karesh 9:38AM (2/13/2007)
Why would they change the name? The Matrix has sold well. Most likely they've registered Blade just in case they later want to use it. These companies register far more names than they actually use.
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rob 9:41AM (2/13/2007)
lithous:
you know there's a problem with domestic car companies when they change the name on their cars after only a YEAR OR TWO (e.g. zephyr, five hundred). The Matrix has maintained its name for a couple of years now. And nothing has been set in stone with regards to its name change, at least not that you or I know for sure.
I would sure hate to own a zephyr, considering in 5 years or so nobody will know what it is. actually, i'd hate to own a ford or gm vehicle anyway... i really don't need to be thought of as cheap and owning an unreliable POS.
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Lowcountryguy 4:48PM (2/13/2007)
As a current matrix owner I have some fears that the 2.4 will really hurt gas mpg. It should be an optional engine.
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david 10:37AM (2/13/2007)
rob, your domestic bashing just does'nt wash anymore. in the first place, you're off topic, and since you are, how's this. when it was -4 last week, my neighbors 05 camry would'nt start. no, it was'nt the battery, it just would'nt start. period. as i was giving her a ride to the train in my wifes five year old suburban, she told me this was the fifth time she had this problem after the dealer had the car for two days "cleaning out the sludge" that now plagues the world known reliable tomoco. theirs a new impala parked in their driveway and the camry is gone. toyota ain't what they say they are.
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ryan 10:50AM (2/13/2007)
"she told me this was the fifth time she had this problem after the dealer had the car for two days "cleaning out the sludge" that now plagues the world known reliable tomoco. theirs a new impala parked in their driveway and the camry is gone. toyota ain't what they say they are."
-Wow, FIVE times? At this point in time Toyota has a LONG way to go until people actually think of them as GM/Ford.
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ryan 11:05AM (2/13/2007)
"while Mazda interior was almost too good to be true for that car class."
-Ever put your Mazda 3 in the Las Vegas heat? They melt.
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Bob 11:21AM (2/13/2007)
Lithous once again proves his idiocy. Foreign companies don't stick with car names? Compared to what? Do the Zephyr, Taurus, and Sable ring a bell? Plus look at cars like the Thunderbird and the Malibu and the Impala and the Challenger and the 300 and the GTO and so on. All car names that were revived recently. And they can't get revived until their companies abandon them, now can they.
David, what a pointless, stupid story. My Grand Prix didn't start at all last week, but my Camry did. Gee, I guess I should never buy a Pontiac again because of that. Also, the oil sludge issue is not present in the '05 Camry's array of engines. And even if it were, your neighbor would have had to never get an oil change once in about 50,000 miles for it to show up. So if the story you're telling is true, can't wait for her to ruin her Impala, too!
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rob 11:51AM (2/13/2007)
david -
i wasnt really off topic considering i was replying to lithous' post.
you, on the other hand, just used the occasion to dream up some bull story which no one believes anyway.
sadly enough, its because of idiots like you that i would never consider buying a domestic vehicle. i say "sad" because you're the very ones who want Americans to buy domestics...but your crass tactics and constant hatred for anything different are really a turn-off.
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ChromeWaves 12:16PM (2/13/2007)
Utterly pug fugly! The US version can't look any worse. Pontiac will hopefully get the Vibe looking halfway decent.
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