Does anyone know if Toyota will be importing the AWD xB to the U.S.?

 

We will find out in a couple of weeks. I'll post when I hear from them.

 

it will be so slow with the 1NZ-FE.

 

it won't come to US.

 

the AWD matrix came to the US. anything can happen. however, note that the AWD matrix cannot be had with the 180hp engine.

 

That would be awesome to have over here. I would love to mod that sucker up!

 

isn't that retarded. when i first heard they were coming out with the matrix they said 180 hp and AWD. i was all set to get one and then when they released it, it was one or the other. don't understand that. imagine the possiblities....

 

The reason the didn't equip the 180 hp Matrix with AWD is because that engine doesn't make enough low-end torque. AWD and a low-torque engine don't do well performance wise. The 130 hp engine makes torque at the bottom end of the RPM range, hence AWD on the smaller engine.

An AWD xB would be very very slow. With only 108 hp and double the driveline loss, not to mention the extra weight, you're talking a major slug on the road.

 

If my memory is correct, Japanese bB with AWD is not a full time AWD. Sort of like Nissan Cube's AWD system where it goes into effect when the car starts to slip. And it only activates under certain speed. (Cube's Rear wheels are controled by electric motor though...).

 

tokorun: so basically it's the same as traction control, but it weighs more. it probably works better too, but the extra weight is not worth it in my opinion.

 

If they ever put out AWD for the xB over here, I'd like to think that they would make it a full time AWD rather than pseudo-AWD where the rear wheels are given power only under certain conditions. It's kind of silly in a way that they do that with some of the SUVs nowadays.

 

I think it's a cool option. Especially for people in east coast where there is a severe difference in their road condition during different seasons. But, in California, I dont' know if it's that useful. I mean... it's not gonna behave like WRX even if it has AWD system... you know what I mean?

 

Wait a minute... AWD xB is going to be a slug compared to what?

Okay....

04 Matrix XR AWD 2943lbs 123hp
04 Matrix XR FWD 2778lbs 130hp
04 xB FWD 2400lbs 108hp

So if you add 175 lbs to 2400 lbs xB that would be around 2575 with 108hp vs. 2943 with 123 lbs on Matrix. That's 17HP diff between xB and Matrix AWD and the Matrix is about 375 lbs heavier. So power to weight ratio will be close to 04 Matrix's power to weight ratio.

I think it's going to be slow but not painfully slow where you have to go 35MPH going up to Tahoe.

 

again, the design of part time AWD is different than full time AWD. Also, you loose a lot of power to transfer all the juice to four wheels. It's not just a simple comparison between weight to power ratio.

 

It'd be painfully slow for me! :D

 

i seriously doubt it can be slower than the mitsubishi outlander 4x4. it is currently the slowest car 0-60 sold in the U.S.

 

The Matrix is a US only model! Ok I think Canada gets them too but they are not sold in Japan. They do get a version of the Pontiac Vibe called the Toyota Voltz but they are made alongside the US models here and not in Japan.

 

The Matrix is a US only model! Ok I think Canada gets them too but they are not sold in Japan. They do get a version of the Pontiac Vibe called the Toyota Voltz but they are made alongside the US models here and not in Japan.

 

Not always! It depends on how the AWD system is set up. In all systems there is a tiny bit of loss but usually AC takes more. Now the better systems add weight and you will lose power to weight ration due to more weight but much is gained in traction. In a straight line the car will be slower but through the slalom it will be faster. Ask Audi! They took the racing world by storm when they introduced the Quatro. It was not faster in the straights but it could out corner the most powerful RWDs out there! The best bet for us here is to put a limited slip in. That will gain considerable traction but with little cost or weight.

 

Did anyone ever followup and get more info on whether or not they're considering importing this bad boy (I'm sure it'll be sometime waaaaay in the future...they're busy enough with the national rollout and the tC).

Also, I've heard that the AWD bB has a smaller engine...1.3L, is this true?