Don't be afraid. Click image to enlarge.
SEMA 2008 coincides with Halloween this year, and as we've already reported, Toyota will use the show as a backdrop for the intros of the new Corolla and Matrix. Yesterday, the automaker revealed the first teaser image of the latter, all dressed up in its Halloween costume. Considering the horrific "costumes" some other SEMA exhibitors use to (cough) enhance their cars, we think Toyota is to be applauded for its restraint here. We're sure forward visibility through the eyeholes is not a problem at all. Plus, it probably just passes through other cars, walls, and assorted road obstacles anyway, so collisions aren't a concern, either.
We'll be there to see what's under the sheet next month.
[Source: Toyota]
PRESS RELEASE:
Toyota To Stage U.S. Premiere Of 2009 Corolla And Matrix At 2007 Sema Show
September 25, 2007 - Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. (TMS), Inc. will stage the U.S. premiere of the all-new 2009 Corolla and Matrix at a press conference at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, held October 30 - November 3, 2007 in Las Vegas.
Originally launched in 1966, Corolla first arrived in America in 1968 to instant success. For nearly four decades, Corolla has been synonymous with Toyota quality, style and value, earning a distinction as one of the most trusted cars in America. Over that span over 30 million Corollas have been sold worldwide, making it one of the best-selling cars of all time.
Toyota's press conference will be held on Wednesday, October 31 at 10:10 AM in Pavilions nine,10 and 11 of the Las Vegas Hilton. It will be simulcast live to the Toyota display area on the second floor of South Hall. A video clip of the press conference will be available for viewing following the event on the Toyota.com website.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mike @ Sep 27th 2007 3:07PM
In pure Toyota fashion, it looks like another tall wagon.
Neil @ Sep 27th 2007 3:27PM
Ah....isn't that what the Matix is, a tall wagon?
Mike @ Sep 27th 2007 3:15PM
Damn surfcontrol, anyone know of an alt. site with the pic?
MikeW @ Sep 27th 2007 3:21PM
Treat: Valvematic
Trick: 4 speed auto
I'll take the treat please.
Robert Aitchison @ Sep 27th 2007 4:16PM
I'm hoping (against hope) that finally the Matrix gets a proper rear suspension instead of the "1980 called, the Aries wants it's floating I beam back" suspension it's been saddled with (with the exception of the slower than molasses and no longer made AWD models) since launch.
psarhjinian @ Sep 27th 2007 6:31PM
That suspension isn't unheard of in this class, and it's a good space-saver, to boot. Sure, it's not nearly up to the level set by, say, the Focus' control blade, but it's cheap, reasonable, lightweight and well-packaged.
Robert Aitchison @ Sep 27th 2007 7:00PM
Most of the cars in this segment have IRS:
As you mentioned the Focus as well as the Mazda3 (based on the Euro Focus), Civic, Impreza, Forenza, Spectra, Lancer, tC, Elantra
On the other hand you have the Matrix, Corolla, Sentra, Cobalt/Ion, and the Matrix/Vibe have the cheap suspension.
It's also worth pointing out that none of the cars on the latter list are marketed or sold outside the U.S. The sad truth is that most Americans don't know the difference and even if they did they wouldn't care, so Toyota can get away with an inferior suspension design and make an additional $10 per car.
As for the packaging issues, that doesn't work for either the Matrix or the Corolla, as I mentioned earlier the AWD models of the Matrix had IRS, as did all Corollas up until a few years ago. Clearly there's room for IRS underneath both, it just costs a bit more.
toronado455 @ Sep 28th 2007 4:38AM
RE: IRS, well, let's see... the Auris has torsion-beam, while the Blade has double-wishbone. Which will the Matrix have?
Joe K. @ Sep 27th 2007 4:19PM
I always said the last one needed to be 7/8's the height it was to look better. Hopefully this one is better. It was sad that the Vibe was the better looking of the twins...
John Metcalf @ Sep 27th 2007 4:34PM
Cute approach. Reminds of a Charlie Brown cartoon.
Hope the design of the car has been treated with as much creatively. The Matrix has always been on my list of possible cars to own (closest relative to my Corolla wagon,) but the first gen. seemed to lack something. The 1.8 is fine, was great in my wagon and is better today in such cars as the xD.
Hopes mileage remains unchanged or improved. It was the most attractive part of the package.
John Metcalf @ Sep 27th 2007 4:47PM
Ha,ha,ha, pretty clever. Reminds me of a Charlie Brown cartoon.
Hope the design of the new Mattrix is treated as creatively as the ad. As the closest relative to my Corolla Wagon, I've been waiting for this one. Hope they stick with the great little 1.8 - enhanced over my wagon's own pre-VVT version.
Hope it also maintains it's frugal gas sipping nature as well. Just needs a little refinement to justify the higher price over the Scion xD.
John Metcalf @ Sep 27th 2007 4:49PM
Sorry about the almost identical post - first one didn't seem to go and I thought I'd lost it.
Patience, patience.
Snowdog @ Sep 27th 2007 9:17PM
I hate the way there is no confirm and autoblog seems to eat posts. It seems half my posts don't show up, then every once and a while, double post, when I am reposting, they really need to fix this.
SPG @ Sep 27th 2007 6:37PM
As long as it's not as cheap feeling as the last Matrix.
Loaner Matrix for a week was one crappy week.
My wife and I LOVED Matrix's before we ever drove one.
James Sonne @ Sep 27th 2007 6:56PM
Looks like a Subaru Impreza ... :-D ... anyone, anyone?
Rex @ Sep 27th 2007 7:17PM
That front bit looks like the Pontiac Vibe..
Aya @ Sep 27th 2007 8:17PM
It's the Matrix KKK edition. ;)
Philthy @ Sep 27th 2007 9:52PM
Ditto.
Philthy @ Sep 27th 2007 9:53PM
Er, that is, ditto to Snowdog's comment.
robert @ Sep 28th 2007 8:27AM
I have sold Toyotas for the past nine years, and the only unveilings that have ever really surprised me were the:
1. 2000 Celica
2. Scion XB (original)
3. FJ Cruiser
I'm hoping for number 4 here. After all, Honda went a big hog wild with the new Civic.