Autoblog

Joint manufacturing ventures allow both automakers to share resources and platforms, but unfortunately, it also means they share problems. Such is the case with GM and Toyota, whose NUMMI plant in Fremont, California, put out 540,000 Toyota Matrixes, Corollas and 123,00 Pontiac Vibes with faulty bolts that hold in the glass on the two front doors. The 660,000 2003-2004 vehicles equipped with power windows are being recalled after 500 complaints, 36 claimed injuries and one crash (?!) were reported. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is calling for both automakers to recall the affected vehicles and replace the faulty bolts at no charge.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Click the image above for a gallery of high-res pics.

Toyota has finally announced pricing for the 2009 Matrix and Corolla that made their unceremonious debut back in November at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. Both models get a bump in their sticker, with the Corolla costing $845 more than the outgoing 2008 model, while the Matrix increases by $680.

The base Corolla, whose nomenclature has been changed from CE to "Standard", starts at $15,250 sporting a five-speed manual, while an automatic model will set you back another $800. The LE and XLE models start at $16,650 and $17,550, respectively, both equipped with an automatic tranny and the 132-hp, 1.8-liter four. Care to upgrade a bit? You can now get the new 2.4-liter four producing 158 hp and 162 lb.-ft. of torque in the XRS version starting at $18,760 with a manual or $19,950 with an automatic that Toyota notes can be "shift sequentially."

The Matrix, which Toyota claims redesigned the crossover segment, but in reality is just a five-door Corolla, comes in three flavors: Standard, S and XRS. You can equip the warmed-over hatch with either the same 1.8-liter or 2.4-liter four found in the Corolla, mated to either a five-speed manual or a four- or five-speed automatic. All-wheel-drive will be an option on S-trim models that will come standard with the 2.4-liter four-pot and "Super ECT" four-speed gearbox. Pricing for the standard matrix starts at $16,190 if you row the gears yourself, while the max'd out XRS models shoots up to $21,850 with an auto 'box. None of the prices listed above include the $650 destination fee.

All the details and trim levels are available in Toyota's press release after the jump.

UPDATE: Video of the Corolla and Matrix tuners is available after the jump

Click the image above for a gallery of high-res pics.

Toyota unleashed the new Matrix in a Halloween-infused joint press conference here in Vegas. The production version of the new (Corolla) Matrix debuted across the street, but we were on hand to see the Rally version unveiled on the floor at SEMA. The new design lends itself well to some modifications, but like most of the vehicles here at the show, it's more about flash than function. The front-mount intercooler helps feed a supercharged version of the Matrix's 2.4-liter four. The OZ wheels and upgraded brakes speak to the concept's functionality, as does the stripped out interior, added fuel cell and multi-point rollcage.

We'll have more details on the production version momentarily, but in the meantime, check the gallery below. Also, in case you missed it, you can check out the new Toyota Corolla right here.

While the SEMA show in Las Vegas used to be a venue exclusively for aftermarket firms to show their wares to other industry types, it has quickly evolved in recent years as yet another place for automakers to take the wraps off exclusive models and concepts. This year's show in November is turning out to be yet another automaker-heavy affair, with Toyota set to unveil the 2009 Corolla and Matrix to the throngs of enthusiasts in attendance.

Both models are getting long in the tooth, and although the Corolla remains one of the best selling compact cars in the U.S., it may prove to be less compelling fare than what the automaker wants to reveal at a major show like Detroit.

Toyota's press release can be viewed in full after the jump.

UPDATE: Image removed at request of owner.

With the Toyota vs. GM smackdown in full swing, the Vibe/Matrix always seemed inconsistent with the two companies regular practice of beating each other's brains out. The shared models have been popular enough to warrant a second generation, which we should see officially unveiled at the 2008 New York International Auto Show. Cheers and Gears has a bunch of great spy shots from GenVibe member EastBaySaint of the 2009 Vibe nearly devoid of camo, follow the link to see them. What is missing is any semblance of cladding, a change that's been propagating through Pontiac for a while now, and is welcome anywhere it goes.

Toyota power is still underhood, likely in the form of the 2ZR-FE or 2AZ-FE inline four cylinders, offering 136 or 157 horsepower, respectively. Toyota's Valvematic may show up, as well, along with the attendant efficiency gains. The slightly modish lines of the original Vibe have evolved nicely, gaining less anonymous swept-back headlamps but avoiding the other styling convention du jour, fender vents. There's now a dip in the beltline, recalling the G6. The interior, too, has had its elements pulled together in an evolution of the original's design. Every inch of the Vibe has been scrutinized and revised to good effect, and the name may also be nipped and tucked to an alphanumeric to keep up with the rest of its stablemates, possibly being dubbed the G4.

[Source: Cheers and Gears]

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.]

This just in from the Department of Mundanity: Toyota hikes prices on seven models in their 2007 lineup.

Overall, it's nothing spectacular, with MSRPs rising just 0.7-percent or $136 on average. The vehicles included in the price increase are the Yaris, with a bump of $100, the unchanged and much-maligned Corolla up another $100, the other unchanged, Corolla-based Matrix MSRP moves north an additional $150, the FJ Cruiser gets another $200 tacked onto its sticker, the four-wheeled appliance known as the Camry has another $200 affixed to its bottom line (hybrid not included), the RAV4, cutish-ute comes in at another $200 higher and the Tacoma will cause you to haul in an additional $200 if you want to drive off in Toyota's entry-level pickup.

Yawn. We're going out for a cup of coffee and we'll be back with more exciting news later in the day.

If you care to endure the press release, follow along below the fold.

[Source: Toyota]

Computer animation studio FXNine has given us this jewel of a CG racing duel, pitting a red Acura NSX against a yellow Lamborghini Diablo, and it is one hell of a ride.

Called Overdrive, the video has a distinctive Matrix-like feel to it. The two supercars race down empty, fictitious, often pointless but entirely entertaining empty highways, going up and down ramps, underwater, around corkscrews and loops and through the air.

If you liked The Matrix and like cars (which we assume you do, otherwise you wouldn't be here), you'll love this video. Follow the link to watch.

[Source: FXNine via German Car Blog]

Automakers apply camouflage to their test mules in unique ways, so spy photographers are often able to tell what company is testing a vehicle based on its unique "camo signature". These spy shots appeared on the internet this morning of what most auto pundits are calling the next generation Pontiac Vibe, probably based on the strip of camo that's bisecting the grille. After a consult with a friend in the spy business, however, we learned that this vehicle is probably not the next Pontiac Vibe, as the camo doesn't match the tape-and-cardboard job usually done by General Motors. We asked him too look closely at the strip on the grille, and he stood by his claim and told us it looks more like the work of an Asian automaker, so we're going out on a limb and calling this vehicle the next Toyota Matrix. While the two tall wagons are mechanically identical in many ways, each company is responsible for it own styling, and it appears Toyota engineers may have been deliberately trying to get us to guess they were driving a Pontiac. Aside from that, the camo is expertly applied and completely obscures the shape of the rear. If this vehicle is the Matrix, we can see that it grows in size, especially in the front where we hope some new, more powerful engines are being used. Then again, it may not be the Toyota Matrix, either.

[Source: Straightline]