Next Bigger Scion xB to Be Exclusive for North America
Launching in 2006, the next Scion xB will be based off the new-generation Corolla platform and will seriously bulk up in size, according to the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun industry newspaper.
The current xB (known as the bB, or Black Box, in Japan) is spun off the smaller Yaris platform. Confounding the critics who said it was too compact and quirky for the U.S. market, the xB has proved to be a smash hit. In 2005, U.S.
Scion sales are expected to surpass 150,000 units for the first time. Scion displayed the well-received t2B concept at the 2005 New York Auto Show, as a pointer, perhaps, to the next xB. Designed by Toyota's CALTY studio in Newport Beach, California, the t2B (Tall Two-Box) uses the same 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine as the tC coupe and stands a full 10 inches longer and 4 inches wider than today's 1.5-liter xB.
Before the end of this year, Toyota will launch a new bB in Japan but that's a purely domestic 1.5-liter model.
© edmunds.com
Scion xB photos :
That's what we thought when we first heard the news. How could they cram in that third row? But the RAV4 is a lot bigger. While the proportions have stayed roughly the same, truth is, the "little" RAV4 sport-utility is no longer that compact. The upsizing of the RAV4 stretches it by 14 inches overall and puts it at only about 3.5 inches shorter overall than the Highlander, with a wheelbase about two inches shorter than the Highlander. In terms of height and width, the differences are too close to call; even curb weight is comparable.
At 184 inches long, the new Santa Fe is about 7 inches longer than the current model. It's nearly 2 inches wider and higher.The Santa Fe has seven seats, compared with five for the current model. The third row of seats folds flat into the floor.Hyundai says the chassis was revised to make the ride more sedan-like, especially for rear passengers.In North America, the new Santa Fe will have a 3.3-liter V-6 gasoline engine. In Europe it will be available with a new 2.2-liter diesel engine or a 2.7-liter V-6 gasoline engine.
The Korean automaker is targeting sales of 60,000 units a year in Korea, and exports of 150,000 units a year from Korea to markets outside of North America.Company officials wouldn't release a sales target for North America, which will be supplied by the plant in Montgomery, Ala. The plant also assembles the Hyundai Sonata.Hyundai expects the new Santa Fe to compete with the Ford Escape and Jeep Liberty.Prices for the new model were not released.The current model starts at $22,395, including freight.
© english.people.com.cn
Chrysler is expected to show the car as a concept at the show, but insiders suggest the vehicle will be in production as early as 2009 on a new version of the 300C platform. Chrysler has only offered this official sketch of the concept prior to the January auto show debut, but these spy shots were taken last week as the vehicle was prepared for its auto-show debut. Stay tuned for more information on the Challenger as TCC previews the Detroit auto show on December 15.
The Fusion was designed specifically to be revealed in conjunction with the launch of Ford's new interactive Fusion "Grown and Sexy" Web site, designed to target African-American consumers.
