More Name News: Toyota "Matrix" replaced with "Blade"
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More Name News: Toyota "Matrix" replaced with "Blade"
AutoWeek had this story:
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...528/RICHCEPPOS
Are GM and Toyota still working together on these cars? It appears so with Edmunds' Vibe spy photos (below) closely resembling the Toyota Blade shots by AutoWeek (see above link).
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...eId=100816565#
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...528/RICHCEPPOS
Originally Posted by AutoWeek
Toyota cuts Matrix with Blade
Matrix' successor will have a Mazda3 feel
By MARK RECHTIN | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
AutoWeek | Updated: 02/12/07, 12:06 pm et
LOS ANGELES - Toyota will replace the Matrix in spring 2008 with a sleek hatchback inspired by the brisk-selling Mazda3.
Toyota insiders say the Mazda3 -- the hip cool car in the compact class -- is the visual benchmark for the Matrix successor, which is expected to be called the Blade.
The Corolla-based hatchback will get a narrower greenhouse and thicker C-pillar than the Matrix has.
The vehicle already is sold in Europe as the Auris and in Japan as the Blade.
But the U.S. version will have its own sheet metal, including a different belt line.
Toyota registered the Blade name with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
The Japan-market Blade is powered by a 158-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 161 pounds-feet of torque.
That would be a step up from the Matrix's 1.8-liter engine's 126 hp and 122 pounds-feet of torque.
Matrix' successor will have a Mazda3 feel
By MARK RECHTIN | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
AutoWeek | Updated: 02/12/07, 12:06 pm et
LOS ANGELES - Toyota will replace the Matrix in spring 2008 with a sleek hatchback inspired by the brisk-selling Mazda3.
Toyota insiders say the Mazda3 -- the hip cool car in the compact class -- is the visual benchmark for the Matrix successor, which is expected to be called the Blade.
The Corolla-based hatchback will get a narrower greenhouse and thicker C-pillar than the Matrix has.
The vehicle already is sold in Europe as the Auris and in Japan as the Blade.
But the U.S. version will have its own sheet metal, including a different belt line.
Toyota registered the Blade name with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
The Japan-market Blade is powered by a 158-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 161 pounds-feet of torque.
That would be a step up from the Matrix's 1.8-liter engine's 126 hp and 122 pounds-feet of torque.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...eId=100816565#
Last edited by jrp4uc; Feb 13, 2007 at 01:13 PM.
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I think it's just part of the camo over the window. I've seen several comments that the Lehmann photos are actually of the Toyota, too. Not the Pontiac. I'm beginning to wonder if there is no Vibe replacement coming. I agree that a Mazdaspeed3 competitor would be a good fit at Pontiac...
Last edited by Eric77TA; Feb 13, 2007 at 03:23 PM. Reason: misspelled Lehmann...
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Btw, here are the Toyota Auris (Europe) and Toyota Blade (Japan) mentioned in the article. The spied car appears to be much taller, but perhaps will share some styling elements with these cars.
Auris:
More: http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/23/e...-toyota-auris/
More: http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/28/p...space-concept/
Blade (JDM):
More: http://paultan.org/archives/2006/12/...-toyota-auris/
Auris:
More: http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/23/e...-toyota-auris/
More: http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/28/p...space-concept/
Blade (JDM):
More: http://paultan.org/archives/2006/12/...-toyota-auris/
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