BY DAVE VANDERWERP
Rumor has it that when Toyota replaces the aging five-door Matrix hatchback in the spring of 2008, the Corolla-based vehicle will take on its Japanese-market name, the Blade.The Blade currently sold in Japan is powered by a 158-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder, the same power source as in numerous Toyota products, including the Camry. That would be a useful improvement over the Matrix’s current 126-hp, 1.8-liter four. All-wheel drive is optional, as it was on the Matrix until 2007, when it was dropped along with the more-powerful, high-revving 164-hp, 1.8-liter engine choice.
However, the Blade will get unique sheetmetal for the U.S. that will be substantially different from the Japanese-market Blade shown here. The Matrix never sold all that well in the U.S., and insiders say Toyota will be targeting the popular Mazda 3 with the Matrix’s replacement.
