2008 Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe
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It looks like there will be another Metrix/Vibe after the current one.
I wasn’t sure if Pontiac was actually still interested. They claim all their new products will be RWD.
Not this one obviously.
It will be based on the upcoming Corolla, but it could have the 2.4 Liter engine from the Camry. At least as an option.
This would make it a pretty nice car. The Toyota 2.4 Liter is a great engine.
I drove a Vibe a couple of years ago and really didn’t like the 1.8 Liter engine.
It had very little power at low speed and was pretty noisy.
I was also not a fan of the black only interior. Just not my thing in the hot weather we get over here in the summer.
The larger and much smoother engine should fix that.
Interesting, but I want the Honda Shmuck. :)-
The rear looks a LOT like the Aztec. Ugh.
I have a Vibe, and with the 1.8 engine, I can get 40mpg on the open highway. I’d get a new one, but I don’t want a big engine, so they better keep the 1.8 or I’ll have to get a Corolla.
why not just bring the Auris from Europe over here instead of engineering a whole new car for the US market?
Hey Vince, Isn’t this an old picture you posted back in July of the Honda CR-V in disguise being road tested somewhere on the west coast? If not, it sure seems like deja vu to me.
Anonymous said…
why not just bring the Auris from Europe over here instead of engineering a whole new car for the US market?
8:33 PM
Exactly what I thought…. Although all may not be well because of exchange rates and higher MSRPs. Plus, the hatchback will be close to the 2008 Corolla Sedan size.
The current Matrix/Vibe is woefully underpowered. If it’s not RWD and in keeping with Pontiac’s image, maybe it will be a Toyota-only model.
I really hope that this new redesign keeps up with Toyota’s current trend of offering ‘high’ quality components made in Mexico and assembled in Canada, at an overinflated price! There is nothing like a company resting on their namesake and laurels! P.T. Barnum said it best:’There is one born every minute’.
>> why not just bring the Auris from Europe over here instead of engineering a whole new car for the US market?
Umm… cuz those cars are designed for a totally different market, and believe me, to bring a car from a different market is pretty much like engineering a whole new car..
They wouldn’d be engineering it from scratch, black metal and chassis components probably all the same, just top hat and a refresh with updates throughout, believe me.. way quicker than bringing a European car over and making it comply to US/Can regs..
I have a ’06 Vibe 5spd, the 1.8 is fine, and no, the rear of the Vibe looks NOTHING like an Aztec.. ?!?!