NarendZORCE
Zorce Editor-in-Chief
Joined: 04 Apr 2005
Posts: 3137
Location: In Zorce, usually after the contents page
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 Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 11:14 am Post subject: |
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Taken from Autoweek
Toyota's Vitz, basis of Echo and Scion xB, grows longer, wider
JAMES B. TREECE | Automotive News
Posted Date: 2/12/05
Toyota Motor Corp.'s redesigned Vitz compact is slightly longer, wider and taller than the strong-selling previous version.
The redesigned Toyota Vitz features a more sharply raked windshield
The Vitz platform is the basis for more than seven other cars, including the Toyota Echo and Scion xB in North America and the Yaris in Europe.
The new platform suggests that those cars could grow in size when they are redesigned, too.
The Vitz has a new platform, suspension, brakes, and compact torque converter. Beginning in April, the Japan-market Vitz also will be available with an integrated starter generator to improve fuel economy.
The Vitz features a more sharply raked windshield, a shortened nose and a lengthened rear overhang that offers more interior luggage space. The interior combines all controls and gauges in a center console, with no gauges in front of the driver. That creates extra leg room.
The car is 4.3 inches longer, 0.8 inch taller and 1.2 inches wider than its predecessor. The wheelbase is 3.5 inches longer. The distance between the front and rear passengers' hip points is 34.6 inches, 1.8 inches longer than before.
The Vitz has been a hit for Toyota. In just six years, the automaker has sold 700,000. 
Toyota won't say who was the chief designer for the 2005 Vitz. It says only that the design was a joint project involving its studios in France and Toyota City, Japan.
The car was crash-tested at speeds of 34 mph, the highest testing speed Toyota has used.
Akihiko Saito, Toyota's executive vice president in charge of product management and r&d, declined to say how many models will use the Vitz's platform.
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