2005 Toyota Matrix
Toyota will facelift its Matrix station wagon for 2005, which means another chance for the company to try to shed its relentlessly square image.
Accordingly, the managing director of Toyota Canada, Tony Wearing, talks about ''a stylish update with a sporty new grille'' and ''more aggressive bumpers.'' All that, and it's still a Corolla under its five-door shape.
Inside, there's new material on the seats and redesigned controls meant to ''create an even more comfortable ambience.''
When it appears in Toyota dealers this spring from the assembly plant in Cambridge, Ontario, explains Wearing, Matrix for 2005 will be offered in three trim levels, ''each with a distinctive level of utility and performance.''
All Matrix models use the same 1.8-litre inline-four that has three power levels, depending upon which model you choose.
Matrix Base and Matrix XR are available in front- or four-wheel-drive configurations, with the 1.8-producing 130 hp at 6,000 rpm and 125 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm in the front-drive model and a little less in the four-wheel-drive model.
Matrix XRS is a front-drive model that gets 170 hp at 7,600 rpm and 127 lb.-ft, of torque at 4,400 rpm from the 1.8-litre, which certainly gives it a sportier edge if you're willing to run the wagon at high revs a lot.
Wearing points out that this engine is equipped with a Variable Valve Timing and Lift-intelligent system, which is what gives the Matrix most of its high-revving appeal.
The four-wheel-drive Matrix models operate as front-drive wagons in regular conditions, but if the V-Flex 4-wheel drive system detects slippage of a front wheel, the viscous coupling ahead of the rear differential transfers torque to the rear wheels. When both front wheels have traction again, all power is once again directed their way.
The Matrix and Matrix XR are equipped with front ventilated discs and rear drums for braking (ABS is optional), Wearing says, while the XRS gets four-sensor anti-lock discs at all the corners. ABS is standard on all four-wheel-drive models.
Every Matrix gets a sliding track cargo system integrated into the rear cargo floor, split rear seatbacks, a front passenger seat that folds completely flat, eight steel tie-down rings and additional tie-down hooks on the load floor.
For two-dimensional loading, the rear glass hatch opens separately from the main cargo hatch.
Toyota will facelift its Matrix station wagon for 2005, which means another chance for the company to try to shed its relentlessly square image.
Accordingly, the managing director of Toyota Canada, Tony Wearing, talks about ''a stylish update with a sporty new grille'' and ''more aggressive bumpers.'' All that, and it's still a Corolla under its five-door shape.
Inside, there's new material on the seats and redesigned controls meant to ''create an even more comfortable ambience.''
When it appears in Toyota dealers this spring from the assembly plant in Cambridge, Ontario, explains Wearing, Matrix for 2005 will be offered in three trim levels, ''each with a distinctive level of utility and performance.''
All Matrix models use the same 1.8-litre inline-four that has three power levels, depending upon which model you choose.
Matrix Base and Matrix XR are available in front- or four-wheel-drive configurations, with the 1.8-producing 130 hp at 6,000 rpm and 125 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm in the front-drive model and a little less in the four-wheel-drive model.
Matrix XRS is a front-drive model that gets 170 hp at 7,600 rpm and 127 lb.-ft, of torque at 4,400 rpm from the 1.8-litre, which certainly gives it a sportier edge if you're willing to run the wagon at high revs a lot.
Wearing points out that this engine is equipped with a Variable Valve Timing and Lift-intelligent system, which is what gives the Matrix most of its high-revving appeal.
The four-wheel-drive Matrix models operate as front-drive wagons in regular conditions, but if the V-Flex 4-wheel drive system detects slippage of a front wheel, the viscous coupling ahead of the rear differential transfers torque to the rear wheels. When both front wheels have traction again, all power is once again directed their way.
The Matrix and Matrix XR are equipped with front ventilated discs and rear drums for braking (ABS is optional), Wearing says, while the XRS gets four-sensor anti-lock discs at all the corners. ABS is standard on all four-wheel-drive models.
Every Matrix gets a sliding track cargo system integrated into the rear cargo floor, split rear seatbacks, a front passenger seat that folds completely flat, eight steel tie-down rings and additional tie-down hooks on the load floor.
For two-dimensional loading, the rear glass hatch opens separately from the main cargo hatch.