Toyota Matrix

Infobox Automobile


name = Toyota Matrix
manufacturer = Toyota Motor Corporation
aka = Pontiac Vibe
Toyota Voltz
production = 2003–present
class = Compact
assembly = Cambridge, Ontario
layout = Front engine, front wheel drive / all wheel drive
body_style = 5-door hatchback
related = Toyota Corolla
Toyota Celica
Toyota Auris

The Toyota Matrix, occasionally referred to as the Toyota Corolla Matrix, is a compact hatchback manufactured by Toyota Motor Corporation in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada and sold in North America.

The Matrix is the Toyota version of a joint venture between Toyota and General Motors; the GM version is the Pontiac Vibe, made at New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI) in Fremont, California. A third version, also assembled at NUMMI, was sold in Japan from 2002 to early 2004 as the Toyota Voltz. Although the Voltz was sold under the Toyota brand there, the styling was virtually identical to the Vibe. The Matrix is considered to be the sporty hatchback/wagon counterpart of the Corolla, as the "Corolla Fielder" station wagon is not sold in North America.

Identical mechanically and nearly as much internally, the Matrix and Vibe are clothed in different sheetmetal per their respective brands' marketing strategies. Both vehicles are narrow, yet tall station wagons styled in a trendy, quasi-SUV fashion (called a crossover utility vehicle or "CUV" by Toyota)citeweb|title=A sleek “CUV” with youthful imagination - 2003 Toyota Matrix|author=Huffman, John|url=http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehicle_Reviews/SUVs_Wagons/2003_Toyota_Matrix.S181.A4435.html|publisher="The Car Connection"|accessdate=2008-04-26] and marketed to a fairly youthful market segment. This type of car is also commonly referred to as a sport wagon.

First sold in 2002, the Matrix saw a minor facelift for the 2005 model year and was redesigned completely in 2007, following the Corolla.

First generation (2003–2008)

Infobox Automobile generation
name = First generation


production = 2003–2008
length = Auto in|171.3|0citeweb|title=The Next Band Wagons|url=http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/wagon/112_0205_sport_wagons/index.html|publisher="Motor Trend"|author=Chris Walton|accessdate=2008-07-18]
width = Auto in|69.9|0
wheelbase = Auto in|102.4|0
height = Auto in|61.0|0
engine = Auto cc|1794 "1ZZ-FE" I4
convert|123|-|130|hp|kW|abbr=on
Auto cc|1796 "2ZZ-GE" I4
convert|164|-|180|hp|kW|abbr=on
transmission = 4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
6-speed manual
fuel_capacity = FWD:convert|13.2|USgal|L|abbr=on
AWD:convert|11.9|USgal|L|abbr=on [citeweb|title=Full Test: 2003 Toyota Matrix|url=http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=65348/pageNumber=2|publisher="Edmunds.com"|accessdate=2008-10-02]
fuel_economy = City: 30mpg / Highway: 36mpg (1ZZ-FE engine)The Matrix was first introduced in the 2003 model year and based on the Toyota Corolla platform. Relatively unchanged in 2004, a facelift for 2005 brought minor revisions to the exterior - mainly revised styling to the front fascia due to complaints of rubbing the ground on the previous incarnation and adding clear lenses to the taillamps. Also, the center instrument panel was slightly redesigned and featured a Toyota head unit in place of the previous GM-sourced radio.

Two 1.8 L engines were offered in the Matrix: the 1ZZ-FE used in the Corolla, which originally made Convert|130|hp|kW in 2003 and 2004 models, but was reduced to Convert|127|hp|kW in 2005, and the performance-oriented 2ZZ-GE taken from the Toyota Celica GT-S, which produced convert|164|hp|kW (previously Convert|180|hp|kW in 2003, Convert|173|hp|kW|0|abbr=on in 2004, and Convert|170|hp|kW in 2005).

In late 2006, Toyota discontinued use of the 2ZZ-GE engine and dropped the XRS from the Matrix lineup to be temporarily replaced by the M-Theory edition. Like each year of the XRS model, the M-Theory was a limited production run of 2500 cars.citeweb|title=2007 Toyota Matrix Review|author=Peters, Eric|url=http://www.thecarconnection.com/fullreview/toyota_matrix_2007|publisher="The Car Connection"|accessdate=2008-07-24] Up until the 2007 model year, the Matrix was available in all wheel drive with the 1ZZ engine, but the drivetrain was dropped for the first generation's last year of production.

Recalls

In May 2008, Toyota issued a recall for 2003 and 2004 model year Corollas and Matrixes. The recall notice cites two window bolts in each of the front doors as potentially causing either front window to come off the track and break. This recall only applies to models equipped with power windows. [Toyota Recall Notice - SSC 80A - "2003 through 2004 Model Year Corolla and Corolla Matrix front door glass bolts safety recall notice"] General Motors soon after issued a recall for the same issue present on Toyota's counterpart vehicle 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles with power windows.

econd generation (2009)

Infobox Automobile generation
name = Second generation


production = 2009
engine = Auto cc|1797 2ZR-FE I4
convert|132|hp|kW|abbr=onciteweb|title=Toyota Matrix Performance & Specs|url=http://www.toyota.com/matrix/specs.html|publisher=|author=|accessdate=2008-07-24]
Auto cc|2362 2AZ-FE I4
convert|158|hp|kW|abbr=on
transmission = 4-speed automatic
5-speed automatic
5-speed manual
wheelbase = Auto in|102.4|0
length = Auto in|173.0|0
AWD: Auto in|171.9|0
width = Auto in|69.5|0
height = Auto in|61.0|0
XRS & AWD: Auto in|61.4|0Initially rumored by Toyota and auto news media as a Matrix replacement named the Blade, [citeweb|title=Toyota cuts Matrix with Blade|url=http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070213/FREE/70212007/1528/RICHCEPPOS|publisher="AutoWeek"|accessdate=2008-06-25] the second generation Matrix was unveiled on October 31, 2007, at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, and first available in dealerships beginning February 15, 2008, as a 2009 model.

In the United States, three trim grades ("Standard" [base] , "S", and "XRS") are offered, as well as two I4 engines: a Auto cc|1797 2ZR-FE for the base model and a Auto cc|2362 2AZ-FE for the S and XRS grades. The former is offered with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission, while the larger engine is equipped with either a manual or automatic 5-speed transmission. In addition, the S grade, when equipped with the 4-speed automatic, may be had with All-Wheel Drive. [citeweb|title=Toyota Matrix Specs|url=http://toyotamatrix.com/matrix/specs.html|publisher="Toyota"|accessdate=2008-04-26]

Canadian buyers are offered four trim levels: a 1.8 L-powered base model, and the "XR", "XR AWD", and "XRS" models with a 2.4 liter engine. [citeweb|title=Test Drive: 2009 Toyota Matrix XR|url=http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/hl/2009-toyota-matrix-xr.php|publisher="CanadianDriver.com"|accessdate=2008-10-02] The AWD gives up some features compared to the forward wheel drive XR, having only two-speed intermittent wipers, black mirrors, four speakers, and a four-speed automatic. However, the AWD adds heated mirros, a rear double wishbone suspension, and All-Wheel Drive. Both the XR and AWD have optional packages, the first which adds alloy wheels, electronic stability control, and traction control, and the second which adds a power moonroof, 6-CD disc changer, and fog lamps. All of these features, save for all-wheel drive, are standard on the top-of-the-line XRS. -

References

External links

* [http://www.toyota.com/matrix/index.html?s_van=GM_TN_MATRIX_INDEX Official Toyota Matrix Website]