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Old 02-13-2007, 10:24 AM   #1
darknightohio
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Default 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.

Last edited by darknightohio; 02-15-2007 at 09:38 AM.
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Old 02-13-2007, 10:29 AM   #2
Sideshowbob
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I have grown to like the goofy looking Matrix.
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Old 02-13-2007, 10:57 AM   #3
JoeyW
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O_O!!! look at that spoiler! now thats what im talking bout!






ha...ha...ha
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Old 02-13-2007, 10:59 AM   #4
Butcher Boy
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i think this is where all the ricers get their ideas from..
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Old 02-13-2007, 11:07 AM   #5
scrwrx
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Butcher Boy View Post
i think this is where all the ricers get their ideas from..
True story!
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Old 02-13-2007, 11:12 AM   #6
udelslayer
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You can have.

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Its a sports car, its a wagon, its a compact..... WTF people?

Its ugly, its weak, and its been done before by a lot of other companies.

0 points for originality.
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Old 02-13-2007, 11:16 AM   #7
Mavrik
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Looks like a subaru

big freakin spoiler there lol wow.

Wonder how its sister the Vibe will look. Hopefully if they are styling it after the mazda 3... they might give it some more power.


probably not.
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Old 02-13-2007, 11:19 AM   #8
SubaDuba420
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wrong forum, it's the new Impreza testing at the Toyota plant
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Old 02-13-2007, 12:17 PM   #9
blubaru703
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Love the ricer spoiler!
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Old 02-13-2007, 05:04 PM   #10
PSI_XTC
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Don't believe that the Blade is replacing the Matrix. Just trust me on this one.
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Old 02-13-2007, 06:58 PM   #11
hhcchen
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are you sure it's the lexus looking, 2.4 L engine blade...?

or is it the cheaper looking, 1.8 L engine auris...
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Old 02-13-2007, 08:52 PM   #12
stentorian
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It's the new STI, geez!
-Joe


hahahahaha
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Old 02-14-2007, 12:04 PM   #13
ralliharri
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[quote=darknightohio;17034863
That would be a step up from the Matrix's 1.8-liter engine's 126 hp and 122 pounds-feet of torque.[/QUOTE]

but a step down from the Matrix's 190 hp XRS model....
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Old 02-14-2007, 05:36 PM   #14
fishandring
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I couldnt find the picture I was looking for but this is close to what that spy shot reminded me of:
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Old 02-14-2007, 08:31 PM   #15
edkwon
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For ppl who actually want to see what the Blade looks like without all the stupid disguising, heres the JDM version:

http://www.nihoncar.com/news-393-X.html











Ed
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Old 02-14-2007, 11:29 PM   #16
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looks like the new impreza
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Old 02-15-2007, 01:35 AM   #17
HomerJay
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found this on c&d's website.
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Old 02-15-2007, 03:11 PM   #18
stentorian
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whoosh View Post
looks like the new impreza
Exactly my thoughts!!
-Joe

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Old 02-15-2007, 07:57 AM   #19
Tragedy
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why all the spy getup? This car has been out for a month already!













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Old 02-15-2007, 09:53 AM   #20
Calamity Jesus
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tragedy View Post
why all the spy getup? This car has been out for a month already!
Because it isn't the same car. Check out the base of the A pillar (glass portal on and the front of the C-pillar. Oddly, they're quite different. At first I thought that the camo was just hiding the A pillar corner glass.. but then I noticed how the door handles are closer to the greenhouse on the camo'd car. If the camo were hiding the glass, the door handles would appear even further away from the glass. Weird.
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Old 02-15-2007, 09:12 AM   #21
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I liked my XRs... I didnt find it underpowered until I spent a month in the STi and went back to the XRs for a camping trip... hmmm I sold the car a week later... It is kind of predictable that they would chop the top off the matrix and head more in the direction of the Mazda3 but if they dont do something to make the inside more comfy theyll be in the same boat with a different car! The engine could benifit from some extra ponies... They put the same 1.8L VVTL-i in the Lotus Elise and Exige and are able to tune it to 190, the XRs (04) lists at 173!! I dynoed out at 200whp with exhaust and intake mostly because I removed all the restrictions to airflow. But the Lotus version is even easier to tune... now if they could put that into this new car... whoah! that would be nice...

Newt
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Old 02-15-2007, 09:55 AM   #22
darknightohio
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What is strange is that Autoweek removed the spyshot from their article.
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