Toyota Sport Matrix Concept
ON DISPLAY AT LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW
Los Angeles, 3 January, 2002 – Toyota North America unveiled a Toyota Sport Compact Car concept based on the youth-orientated all-new Matrix crossover utility vehicle, which goes on sale in the US from 2003.
The goal of Sport Matrix is simple – to make the car really fast. Work started with an XS Engineering turbo kit originally designed for Celica and added an Electromotive engine management system tuned by Vishnu Performance. The result is nearly instant boost response and a 73bhp increase to Matrix’s existing 180bhp engine.
Also originally designed for Celica are the car’s cross-drilled 13-inch Stoptech brakes. They work with a custom-built Progress Competition coil-over suspension package valved specifically for the Matrix and lightweight 18-inch Volk TE37 wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich g-Force KD tyres.
With the exception of the graphics, which were designed by Modern Image, the exterior of the Matrix is standard. Inside, the engineers added Sparco seats and additional gauges.
The revolutionary Matrix CUV (Compact Utility Vehicle) is unlike any other vehicle in the Toyota lineup. Matrix is the result of listening to the wants and needs of young new-car buyers. It combines the style and performance of a sports car, the functionality of a sport utility vehicle (SUV), and the value and affordability of a small saloon.
Matrix styling is biased toward sport while maintaining the image and reality of true utility. Its ‘edge-web’ detailing integrates sharp surface edges with rounded web-like contours to create strong, flowing character lines.
Matrix is designed to offer the kind of interior function and flexibility consumers have come to expect in a sport utility vehicle. It features ample room for five passengers, a wealth of storage space, front passenger and rear seats that fold flat and surprising convertibility.
Note to Editors
Toyota Matrix is for the North American market only. There are no plans to bring this vehicle to the European market.
ENDS
