Toyota redesigns bB for Japan

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Toyota launches fully redesigned bB in Japan
Source: www.globalautoindex.com

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Toyota has issued the following press release:

Toyota Motor Corporation announced today that it has begun nationwide sales in Japan of the completely redesigned bB passenger vehicle through "Netz" dealers.

The first-generation bB, launched in 2000, was developed as an individualistic, compact hatchback—a completely new genre. Its sense of presence, apparent at a single glance, and its spacious, comfortable interior suitable for a diverse range of uses proved popular among younger customers.

The new bB retains the strengths of the previous bB and strives to embody the lifestyle of people who want to be surrounded by music everywhere they go, adopting the development theme of "A Car-shaped Music Player" to satisfy the preferences of the younger generation.

With an emphasis on "sound", "illumination", and "relaxation", the new bB seeks to create an interior space in which one can be completely immersed in music. To achieve this, the bB incorporates an audio system that uses the latest in acoustic technology and features interior lighting that flashes in rhythm to the music, while newly developed front seats help create a sense of privacy.

Sales Outline
Sales channels "Netz" dealers nationwide in Japan
Monthly sales target in Japan 5,000 units
Dealer launch events January 14 and 15, 2006

Assembly Plant
Head (Ikeda) Plant, Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.


Vehicle Outline
A Creative Interior, Equipped to Enhance the Joy of Music
* With an emphasis on "sound", "illumination" and "relaxation", the new bB nurtures an unprecedented feeling of relaxation and establishes a creative interior space for the enjoyment of music.
* The instrument panel employs a large and smooth, stadium-like shape with a subwoofer in the center console and tweeters on both sides, forming a space akin to an enclosed DJ booth.

Sound
* Nine speakers are optimally located around the interior—a subwoofer in the center console, and speakers and tweeters in the left and right front doors, instrument panel and front pillars—creating powerful bass tones and the feeling of being surrounded 360 degrees by music in a high-quality sound space.
* Four different audio modes, using surround DSP (digital signal processing) technology, accommodate listener preferences and the situation at hand.
* An input jack facilitates a direct connection with portable music players to input music from a variety of sources.

Illumination
* Illumination is installed in 11 locations, including around the speakers, and in the cup holders and door trim, and it flashes in rhythm to the music, creating an atmosphere akin to a nightclub or live music concert.
* Three kinds of illumination modes are available to choose from, to accommodate one's personal preferences and the surrounding environment.

Relaxation

* The newly developed "Mattari-mode seats" ("laid-back" mode seats) in the front not only recline, they sink about 80mm to create a couch-like feeling. This delivers an unprecedented feeling of relaxation and privacy.


Individualistic Styling that Appeals to Youthful Sensibilities

* Based on the Toyota-brand design philosophy "Vibrant Clarity," an all-new, three-dimensional structure and surface expression are adopted to craft an individualistic form.
* The door profile and front and rear of the vehicle feature contours that create distinctive shadows. The high character lines that form an arc from the front to the rear express a "sensually edgy attitude". The unique hatchback creates a "wild" atmosphere with a strong sense of presence to express the identity of the bB.
* Although the overall length has been shortened, the wheelbase is extended to create an interior space like that of the previous bB, and there are numerous, highly functional storage spaces.


Brisk Driving and Comfortable Ride
* Brisk and comfortable driving performance and fuel economy are achieved through the use of a newly developed 1.5-liter VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) engine or an improved-output 1.3-liter VVT-i engine and a smooth and responsive, super-intelligent, four-speed automatic transmission, or Super ECT.
* Despite a longer wheelbase, wider wheel tread and wide tires, the minimum turning radius is just 4.9 meters (0.6 meters less than the previous model), greatly improving maneuverability.
* Body rigidity has been increased and vibration-controlling and sound-blocking materials have been optimally installed in various parts of the body to reduce engine noise while driving and vibration while idling.


Outstanding Safety and Environmental Performance
* The GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment) construction has been further evolved to create a body structure that effectively absorbs collision impact. During collision tests, the speed was increased to 55km/h from the previous 50km/h, with collision energy also increased approximately 20%, and the vehicle was subjected to omni-directional, vehicle-to-vehicle collision tests under stricter-than-normal collision standards. Through the use of a body structure that effectively absorbs collision impact, Toyota satisfied all independent targets for survival space and crash dummy injury.
* The pedestrian-injury-lessening body structure has been evolved to further reduce pedestrian head injuries in an effort to achieve one of the highest levels of protection in its class.
* In the event of a rear-end collision, the WIL (Whiplash-injury Lessening) concept has been adopted for the front seats, with added backrest give and the head and back supported to reduce stress on the neck.
* By using Toyota's original comprehensive environmental impact assessment system known as Eco-VAS (Eco-Vehicle Assessment System), environmental targets were set in the development stage and a life cycle assessment was conducted to allow the reduction of CO2 emissions throughout all stages of the vehicle's life from production and use to disposal.
* In addition to using materials with superior recycling properties, additional attention has been paid to the environment by, among other means, restricting the emission of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and reducing the use of substances of environmental concern such as lead, mercury, cadmium and others.
* All vehicles in the series achieve emission levels 75% lower than the 2005 standards under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles. Front-wheel-drive vehicles also efficiently meet the Japanese 2010 fuel efficiency standards, qualifying for incentives under the Japanese government's Green Taxation System.
 
xXSilencerXx
I'm guessin thats the Japanese version of the xb. Looks better than the xb

Yup and I bet they bring the design over here with in a year.
 
The xB looks better. The only thing they should do is transplant the headlights from this onto the xB.
 
The old one was a style icon, when in reality it was simply two boxes stacked on top of eachother. The new one is bound to retain its status as a style icon, except this time as an ugly piece of crap. I hate those brake lights for starters, way too low. The tires are too small for the car (from a styling perspective), the front end looks like someone beat a Mazda 3 wagon with an ugly stick, and I could go on. Terrible.
 
xXSilencerXx
I'm guessin thats the Japanese version of the xb. Looks better than the xb.

Pretty sure your looking at the future xb aswell.



Old Toyota bB

bb-1.jpg



New Toyota bB

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I think it looks alright, but like Omnis, I like the xB little bit better. That center instument panel's got to go. I can't belive they kept that. My coworker who has a xB says it's not weird for him at all, but........

Edit:
That white xB, Jay just posted....... :drool: I usually like Scions, but everytime I see a white xB(w/those color matching grilles), makes me actually want to buy one.
 
Based on the Toyota-brand design philosophy "Vibrant Clarity," an all-new, three-dimensional structure and surface expression are adopted to craft an individualistic form.
Anybody else feel a tremor? That was William Strunk spinning in his grave.
 
a6m5
Edit:
That white xB, Jay just posted....... :drool: I usually like Scions, but everytime I see a white xB(w/those color matching grilles), makes me actually want to buy one.

We dont get Toyota bB or Scion (any model) here but there is an imported blue Toyota bB (with the colour matching grill) that imho looks great.
 
You can see pretty easily that they are going after the Nissan Cube...

Nissan_Cube_01.jpg


Nissan_Cube_05.jpg
 
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (sized...) :grumpy:

Hello Honda FIT... err... they haven't bought it over yet. Honda you better not touch the styling! :grumpy:

Happy now... ?
 
Do you mind editing that, its stretched the page.

*EDIT* Better.
 
VIPERGTSR01
We dont get Toyota bB or Scion (any model) here but there is an imported blue Toyota bB (with the colour matching grill) that imho looks great.
That's a damn shame. bB/xB would look so cool in the beautiful Australian scenery.

YSSMAN
You can see pretty easily that they are going after the Nissan Cube...
As Scions were being released in the States(with mad success), I heard that next generation Cube were coming to the States as well.
 
I like it, cool compact car... wouldn't be my style, but it's a nice cars for party girls etc.. The ambilight/music/couch/rollingdisco thing is kind of cool, then again, I would throw all that stuff out of the car and repalce it with two carbon seats, and a turbo ;), but I guess not every car is meant to be sporty....
 
I think Scion should keep the original xB in the lineup, even after they release the new model. It's a cult hit, I think they should milk it as long as possible. Build them for another 20 years, I say. :sly:
 
a6m5
As Scions were being released in the States(with mad success), I heard that next generation Cube were coming to the States as well.

Ive herd the same thing as Nissan is dead set on competing directly with Scion with sub-Sentra models. Most of the concepts appeared to be Renault knock-offs (not a horrible thing), but I would want to see the Micra and Cube here before anything else.
 
The need something for the tC though...although all it would be is another scaled down Volvo.
 
The tC looks just like a Volvo, so a Nissan tC copy or "competitior" would just be a Volvo look alike
 
Nissan has a new car called the Versa that will be their new Sub-Sentra model starting in 2007. I looks like an Americanized version of the Renault Megane, of course, filtered down by Japan.

See for yourself at nissanusa.com (its on the bottom of the page)
 
Hey guys... remember that Scion T2B concept deal last year? Remember how I asked if this could be the next model for Scion or something? Well, looky here. This car's up there with the Honda Civic as some of the world's most hated cars among auto types. I'm surprised BlazinXtreme brought this topic up because he HATES Scion.

If you ask me, though, this doesn't look too bad. And let's face it. It was never designed to be a speed demon or even a sports car. I think Toyota did a beautiful job remodeling the Echo/Yaris/Vitz, and this design is pretty nice. I'd still SLIGHTLY prefer the boxy brother of this car in terms of looks, but the balance isn't too bad with this machine. The design may seem pretty scary up front, but believe me. I've seen worse. It has some of the elements to suggest a more aggressive look, namely with the overfender deal. The boxy look is still there, just that instead of boxy dimensions, it's made to be :lol: 10% more aerodynamic.

Overall, it isn't a bad design. But if I had to choose between the Bb/xB and the Nissan Cube, I'd take the Bb/xB. But let me ask you. If you had to choose which generation Bb/xB, which would you take - the model in this thread, or the previous model? By the way, that red metallic color (I believe it's "Boudreaux Red Metallic") is nice on that machine.
 
You know what would be awesome, but never happen?

If after nissan brought over the Cube and xA/Ist counterpart, they decided to make a cheap, lightweight, stiff, RWD coupe.

I mean, it will never freaking happen, but damn that would rock.
 
Onikaze
You know what would be awesome, but never happen?

If after nissan brought over the Cube and xA/Ist counterpart, they decided to make a cheap, lightweight, stiff, RWD coupe.

I mean, it will never freaking happen, but damn that would rock.

:dopey: Hachi Roku or MR2 revival anyone? :drool:
 
Actually, I was thinking of a Silvia revival.

xA << >> Nissans Renault Rebadging
xB << >> Nissans Cube
tC << >> Nissans Light, RWD, Sports Coupe at a entry level price.

Then, maybe Toyota would respond with a RWD entry level coupe of their own, and if you check my other thread, it looks like the Kabura from Mazda might be the same thing.

Bout time they start making entry level coupes again, young guys don't drive FWD cars because it's cool, they do it because it's all they can afford.
 
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