Toyota's Matrix Reloaded Supercharging

Toyota's Matrix Reloaded
Supercharging turns sporty into sportier
Steve Temple / autoMedia.com
While Toyota's Matrix is a competent enough vehicle with a sporty flair, it's by no means a hard-nosed sport compact. This versatile wagon does a number of things well, but would hardly be our first pick for a leading role in "The Fast and the Furious."

Blame some of that on the unassuming 130-hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine found in the base 2WD models. For those interested in the heftier AWD version of the Matrix, the slightly down-rated version (123 horses) struggles to achieve a 11.5 second 0-60 mph time. And even though the 180-hp XRS performance version takes 8.4 seconds, it doesn't feel much faster than the 130-hp models until you rev the engine above 5,000 rpm.
Dragon Wagon?
Clearly the Matrix needs some low-end kick in its bustle. Enter Toyota Racing Development (TRD), the performance arm of Toyota, which developed a tidy little Roots supercharger to fit into the Matrix. Plunk down $2,995 at your Toyota dealer for this black box, and this blower pumps up the power a respectable 35 percent with 7.5 pounds of boost. TRD claims the peak torque on this reloaded Matrix is 145 lb.-ft. at 4,000 rpm (vs. 125 lb.-ft. stock) and 166 hp at 6,800 rpm. That certainly seems healthy enough, at least on paper. As with many movie sequels, though, this supercharged follow-up to the first installment doesn't quite live up to all our expectations. Sure, it's a juicer powerband and overall the car is a more pleasing experience, but we just didn't come away feeling exhilarated. Don't get us wrong, it's worth the price of admission, but we hoped for a slightly higher caliber of performance for this reloaded Matrix. Maybe it's because we've been spoiled by overachieving sport compacts like the Lancer Evo Mark VIII, which is force-fed unreal levels of turbo boost (19 lbs), producing 100 more horses from only a bit larger displacement. Granted, a blown Matrix costs quite a bit less than the Evo, so that keeps things in perspective. And there's no problem with torque steer on the Matrix, as we've seen on some front-wheel-drive cars that are over-boosted in the power department. The handling is still predictable as the supercharger rouses the engine from its naturally aspirated slumber.

TRD Boost
So what we have here is a sported-up compact wagon that's not quite ready to run with the big dogs. We can live with that, as long we remember what else the Matrix does well. Like carry stuff. With the rear seats folded down, its rear cargo area yawns with scads of carrying capacity. The tailgate opens upwards, and the rear glass can be raised separately. All of the main cargo area and rear seat backs have a hard plastic coating making cleanups from sap-laden Christmas trees or muddy bikes a whole lot easier. A special cargo-floor track features eight adjustable tie-down hooks to secure loose items. Or you might be able to fit them underneath the floor in a hidden storage compartment. The 60/40-split rear seats can be folded flat, enlarging the carrying capacity 53.2 cubic feet. The front-passenger seat also folds forward, allowing enough room for an 8-foot surfboard, even with the tailgate closed. A 115-volt household outlet (standard on XR and XRS, optional on base models) allows owners to hook up small appliances wherever they happen to be.

Sense of Purpose
Clearly, the Matrix and its sister car, the Pontiac Vibe, share a common goal: interior functionality and flexibility usually associated with larger vehicles but in a compact package. They are part of a growing list of sporty and affordable five-door hatchbacks/wagons, such as the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Ford Focus ZX5, Hyundai Elantra GT, Suzuki Aerio SX, Subaru Impreza 2.5 TS wagon, Volkswagen Jetta wagon and new Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback. Judging by this company, the supercharged Matrix is one of the class leaders, with some distinct advantages. Unlike previous wagon variants of the Corolla sedan, the Matrix is five inches taller than the 2004 Corolla, creating a spacious cabin, not unlike a Chrysler PT Cruiser, but without the nostalgic profile. This configuration also allows the Matrix to accommodate adults comfortably in the backseat. On the outside, the Matrix features an angular front fascia, along with chiseled edges and S-shaped lines to break up the overall mass into visually interesting shapes. The only indication that the Matrix is supercharged is a small and subtle insignia on the tailgate. Our rumor mill reveals that Toyota is considering a Matrix-based two-door model for 2005, possibly to replace the Celica. A hybrid of a sports coupe and SUV, it would have all-wheel drive, big wheels, aggressive styling, and perhaps the name Matrix Rally. It would likely be derived from the Rally Sport Concept (RSC), a hatchback also based on the Corolla/Matrix platform. Let's hope this second sequel to the Matrix lives up to the rally-car standard of eye-popping performance.
More information pls you see.
thanks.
www.automedia.com/Supercharged/Toyota/Matrix//pht20031101tm/1