LAS VEGAS, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A.,
Inc., unveiled the all-new second-generation Corolla Matrix at a press
conference today at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)
Show.
The Toyota Matrix, the sporty five-door vehicle that helped redefine
the concept of a crossover utility vehicle, has been redesigned for the
2009 model year to offer performance that matters for driver enjoyment.
"The Matrix concept was based on blending the functionality of an SUV,
the style, image and performance of a sports car with the affordability of
a subcompact sedan," said Tim Morrison, Toyota Division corporate marketing
manager. "For 2009, it's all that, and more. It may have the body of a
five-door hatch, but it comes with the soul of a two-door sports car."
Development of the 2009 Matrix focused on greater exterior coupe-like
styling with enhanced interior utility and improved dynamic performance. It
was made wider with a lower stance than the current model while maintaining
its interior space. The result is a sporty, dynamic shape that contains
room for five people to ride in comfort. As a result of significant changes
to the Matrix's profile, the theme is flowing and dynamic. The design
expresses a low center of gravity, and coupe-like style with a fun-to-drive
image. From the rear, the Matrix has rounded rear windows and continuous
character lines that run from the front grille to the A-pillar.
Matrix will be available in three grades - Standard, S and the XRS. And
Matrix will offer the option of all-wheel drive (AWD) with the S grade. The
S and XRS models integrate a front underbody spoiler with a large mesh fog
lamp bezel and rear underbody spoiler. A rear deck spoiler will be standard
for all XRS models.
The Matrix interior is completely redesigned to enhance driving
enjoyment, comfort and utility.
Seats have been redesigned to accommodate the vehicle's new lower
profile while maintaining the expected high comfort levels, and seat
positions were lowered slightly to maintain appropriate headroom. As a
result, cabin space remains equal to that of the previous Matrix.
A new three-spoke steering wheel enhances the rest of the new Matrix
interior. XRS models come standard with a leather-trimmed steering wheel
that also includes spoke-mounted audio controls and hands-free Bluetooth(R)
capability when equipped.
The driver and front passenger are treated to comfortable new sport
seats, with seat-mounted side airbags. A fold-down seatback table will be
available for the front passenger's seat, enhancing interior utility on S
and XRS. A movable and removable cup support element for the front center
console helps provide versatile storage area and convenience. The cup
holder area can be used as a tray when the divider is removed.
For rear-seat passengers, expanded front-to-back couple distance helps
to provide additional room and comfort. A folding seat with a 60/40 split
includes a middle-seat headrest for the fifth passenger.
The Matrix is equipped with a new, high-efficiency air-conditioning
system with larger vents for directional accuracy and offers reduced power
consumption and improved heating and cooling.
The 2009 Matrix offers the choice of two different engines, a
five-speed manual transmission, and either four- or five-speed automatic
transmissions.
A 16-valve, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine will produce 132 horsepower
at 6,000 rpm and 128 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm. The engine will
feature Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) on both the
intake and exhaust camshafts that helps it achieve outstanding performance
and economy.
Estimated EPA fuel economy ratings are 26/32 city/highway mpg for
manual transmission models and 25/31 for the automatic transmission model
powered by a 1.8-liter engine.
For those who crave just a bit more horsepower and torque, the Matrix
offers a 16-valve DOHC 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with VVT-i that will
produce 158 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 162 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm.
Matrix models powered by the 2.4-liter engine with five-speed automatic
transmission will have an estimated EPA fuel economy of 21/29 city/highway
mpg.
The Matrix's base wheel is a 16-inch steel unit with a six-spoke full
wheel cover. A distinctive 17-inch five-spoke aluminum wheel will be
available for the S grade, and an 18-inch aluminum alloy wheel with a twin
five-spoke design will come standard on the XRS grade.
Dual-stage SRS airbags will be standard for the driver and front
passenger. Front seat-mounted side airbags, two-row side curtain airbags
and front active headrests are also standard.
Brake performance will be improved with standard front and rear disc
brakes on all Matrix grades. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake
Distribution (EBD) are also standard. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with
TRAC and off switch will be standard on XRS and available as an option on
all other models. VSC automatically adjusts engine output and the vehicle's
braking force at each wheel when the vehicle experiences a loss of traction
during cornering.
Form, fun and functionality will be in abundance with an array of
standard convenience features across all three grades. Base equipment on
all Matrix models include power color-keyed outside rearview mirrors, power
steering, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, daytime running lights, heavy
duty rear window defogger, intermittent windshield wipers, 12-volt power
outlet, four cupholders, auxiliary audio input jack, front center console
box and an engine immobilizer.
The S grade adds standard power door locks and windows with one-touch
down driver-side, 115-volt power outlet, cruise control, intermittent rear
window wiper, fold-flat front passenger seat, remote keyless entry,
AM/FM/CD with MP3 capability and six speakers, front and rear underbody
spoilers and fog lamps.
In addition to these features, the XRS grade features standard P215/45
R18 tires on 18-inch alloy wheels, sport strut tower brace, VSC with TRAC
and off switch, and a three-spoke leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio
steering wheel controls.
In addition to the array of standard equipment, an impressive list of
optional comfort and utility features are available to further enhance the
Matrix driving experience. Available options will include an AM/FM/CD with
six-speaker system with DVD navigation with XM NavTraffic(R) capability,
alloy wheels, power heated outside rearview mirror, intermittent rear
window wiper, cruise control, power door locks, power windows, and remote
keyless entry.
The all-new Matrix will hit Toyota dealerships in February 2008.
2009 MATRIX PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
POWERTRAIN
1.8-liter four-cylinder engine
132 hp @6,000 rpm
128 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,400 rpm
Five-speed manual and Four-speed automatic transmissions
2.4-liter four-cylinder engine
158 hp @ 6,000 rpm
162 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,000 rpm
Five-speed manual and four and five-speed automatic transmissions
DIMENSIONS (inches)
Overall Length: 173.0 (S and XRS grades)
171.9 (Standard grade and S all-wheel-drive grade)
Overall Width: 69.5
Overall Height: 61.4 (XRS and S all-wheel-drive grades)
61.0 (Standard grade and S)
Wheelbase: 102.4
Ground clearance: 5.3 (S and XRS grades)
5.8 (Standard grade)
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030501/TOYLOGO)
SOURCE Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
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http://www.toyota.com
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CONTACT:
John Hanson, +1-310-468-4718, or Ming-Jou
Chen, +1-310-468-4782, or Sam Butto, +1-310-468-7728, or Bill
Kwong, +1-310-468-3764, or Denise Morrissey, +1-310-468-4844, all
of Toyota Division Communications
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