Tomas

This topic is a thread split off from a topic over in the xB2 Lounge at the suggestion of Danny (ZOMGXB).

(This is not directly addressing the TTAC "review" http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=3729 , although I found it amusing, it is addressing a question I have about the new "thing" named xB.)

The original xB was a left-hand-drive revision of the right-hand-drive bB. Very few changes other than that, and some beefing up of the door bracing.

Last year, Toyota discontinued the JDM bB model the xB was based on, and came out with an updated box on the same chassis. The new JDM box has a different 1.5L engine, side certain air bags, additional strength members, is more streamlined, has reclining rear seats that slide foreward or fold forward for more package room, carries many of the same styling cues that the t2B concept Scion did, and is actually available in LHD and RHD version RIGHT NOW (the RHD version is sold under the Toyota bB name, the LHD version is sold under the Daihatsu Materia name outside of Japan).

I really wouldn't care if the new "Daihatsu Materia" came to the US under the Daihatsu, Toyota, or Scion name, but the upgrades that they made on the old bB/xB platform are really what I would like to see. That existing model would be a superb replacement for my original xB should it need replacing.

Just for laughs, I have collected a LOT of info on the Materia. Here's the brochure: http://tijil.org/materia.pdf (3.6M) and here is the Materia (LHD bB) site: http://www.daihatsu.com/catalogue/materia/03/03.html

I see no practical reason that the Scion xB2 and the current, existing Materia, under whatever brand and name, couldn't co-exist on the US market - they wouldn't even compete with each other: they are in two different classes entirely.



















(Links to pics expanded to pics...)

Tom

L4rry_B1rd

Now that is an xB!!!!

Tomas

Uh-huh. :D



Tom

Basilius

Hmmm...



Seems that the primary differences between the two are the length of the nose, and the bumpier rearend in the xB2.

Windshield angle looks a little steeper in the bB, but it's rounder. Hard to tell from the white xB, but the fenders are more pronounced in the bB, from what I see.

wibblywobbly

Tomas - agree 100%

Not a fan of the high beltline and missing rear windows, but the whole design is much less contrived than the new xB. I think the AWD version would be a hit here, no matter how slow it is.

Tomas

Here's a little better comparison to work from, Basilius:



Tom

Basilius

Thanks for that.

To be honest, the xB2 looks more like a stretched out bB than a stretched out xB1. The wide C pillar and angled windows are the big difference.

Are those pictures to scale? They look close.

Tomas

Those should be pretty close to scale, Basilius.

If you look at the specs for the Materia (LHD NewGen bB), the sizes are nearly identical to the earlier bB/xB, and the LHD version already being made for Europe and other areas could probably be fitted out for import here with only minor changes.

Here are the old and new bB specs...





Tom

Tomas

More pics of the old and new bBs playing together in Singapore:

http://www.clubxb.com/forums/f44/587...ure-intensive/

:D

Tom

Grime

This picture of the new xB looks like you could just slap on a rear tire and call it a RAV4

ZOMGXB

tomas? sweetie baby honey?

can you post about this in the xB first-gen lounge? this is the first time i have ever seen this quirky new little car, and frankly i just about started crying to learn that my beloved box is still alive and well. alive and well and TINY

...albeit living under an assumed name in a foreign country. the b2 probably scared it away. oh well, at least it's still LHD!

anyway, it's nice to see that ALL the boxes didn't Digivolve into highlander puppies, just the ones in the states...sooo would you post this on the first-gen board? i wanna see how people talk about importing them. i'll be honest -no hating, but the B2 is something i was only considering if my current ride is killed in some horrible accident involving a logging truck. the new...Materia? is something i would take in a heartbeat.

just call me Materia Girl

i'd post this myself, but you seem to know a liitttlllee more about the subject than I do. i would call the thread "ALIVE AND WELL" ;)

Tomas

It was easiest to just split off this somewhat off-topic thread from the other in the xB2 Lounge, Danny.

I'll feel better about posting pics of the lost cousin here in first gen territory, too - in fact I'm going to go back and make those links in my first post images, instead.

Take care,
Tom

bB2NER

I originally didn't like the new bB. It now looks way better than the new so called xB. I say bring it on over and lets see how it does. It would prolly kick the new xB's butt in sales.

mrfuzzy4

like that other one when i saw it more... and still do! bring that over here too! call the xB something else like xE or something and name the daihatsu or whater xB.... oy we've been forgotten already?! we like BOX, not crossover ugly thing!

06B0X

Do you have the dimensions of the 2008 USDM model yet w/ the specifics and etc?

Tomas

What might even be neat, if Toyota won't import the newgen bB/materia to the US, would be for it to be imported to Canada in a form that we could bring across the border... (Like the folks in Canada sneak xB's the other way.)

In any case, I would buy one of 'em if I could. I like the feature set.

Tom

Tomas

I don't have the drawings like those for the Japanese models, but I do have a little bit of info on the USEM model...

xB2 in inches:
Overall Height: 63.4
Overall Width: 69.3
Overall Length: 167.3
Wheelbase: 102.4
Track, Front/Rear: 60.1/59.9
Headroom Front/Rear: 40.0/41.2
Shoulder Room Front/Rear: 55.8/54.7
Leg Room Front/Rear: 40.7/38.0
Curb Weight M/T 3020, A/T 3086 lbs.

Tom

06B0X

Does someone mind reminding me what the measurement standard is when looking at the information for the JDM bB (USDM xB)?

Curious as to the size, length, height difference...

Tomas

millimeters - 25.4 of 'em to the inch.

I should touch up those drawings with inch measurements, eh?

Tom

{EDIT} I put inch measurement on the JDM drawings...

06B0X

Ok F5 on my k/b is my friend since my PC cache'd the original pictures.