Toyota bB

Toyota bB
Overview
Manufacturer	Toyota Motor Company Daihatsu Motor Company
Also called	Subaru Dex, Scion xB (2004–2006)
Production	2000–May 2016
Body and chassis
Class	Mini MPV
Body style	5-door hatchback 3-door coupe utility (Japan only, first generation)
Layout	FF layout

The Toyota bB is a mini MPV produced by the Japanese car company Toyota for the first generation launched in 2000, and the second generation was built by Daihatsu from 2005.

The car has been badge engineered and sold as the Daihatsu Materia, Scion xB and Subaru Dex.

First Generation (NCP3#, 2000-2005)

First generation
Overview
Production	January 2000 – December 2005[1][2]
Assembly	Japan: Toyota, Aichi (Takaoka plant)[1]
Body and chassis
Body style	5-door hatchback
Related	Scion xB Toyota Vitz
Powertrain
Engine	1.3 L 2NZ-FE I4 1.5 L 1NZ-FE I4

The first-generation bB was based on the Toyota Vitz. While the box-shaped mini MPV was initially targeted towards Japanese men in their twenties, it is also popular with women buyers, and has also been at least privately imported to the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

Production of the bB occurred between January 2000 and April 2005 at the Takaoka plant in Toyota, Aichi.^[1] Production occurred at the former Central Motors between August 2004 and December 2005 for the bB; export Scion xB model continued until December 2006.^[2]

Engines

Engine choices include 1.3- and 1.5-litre inline-four engines.

Marketing

In United States, the first-generation bB was sold under the Scion brand as the "xB" from June 2003 to 2007.

Open Deck (2000–2001)

bB Open Deck

The bB Open Deck was a coupe utility version of the bB.

Second Generation (QNC2#, 2005–2016)

Second generation
Overview
Also called	Daihatsu Coo (in Japan and Taiwan) Daihatsu Materia Subaru Dex
Production	Toyota: December 2005–May 2016 Daihatsu: 2006–2012 Subaru: 2006–2012
Assembly	Japan: Ikeda, Osaka (Daihatsu Head Plant)
Body and chassis
Body style	5-door hatchback
Related	Daihatsu Boon Daihatsu Sirion
Powertrain
Engine	1.3 L K3-VE I4 1.5 L 3SZ-VE I4
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,540 mm (100 in)
Length	3,800 mm (150 in)
Width	1,690 mm (67 in)
Height	1,635 mm (64 in)
Curb weight	1,050 kg (2,315 lb)
Chronology
Successor	Toyota Tank

The second generation bB vehicle was unveiled in 2005 Tokyo Motor Show. Production version went on sale in Netz dealers. The second-generation Scion xB is not based on the bB but was specifically designed by Toyota to appeal to American buyers, which was sold in Japan as Toyota Corolla Rumion. Badge engineered Daihatsu and Subaru models were also produced, but production ceased in 2012, leaving just the Toyota model. Production of the Toyota model was also ceased in May 2016, with sales ended in Japan in July 2016, and it was replaced by the Toyota Tank and its twin counterpart the Toyota Roomy.

Design

The vehicle was designed as "A Car-shaped Music Player" to hopefully satisfy the preferences of the younger generation. The Daihatsu version can be identified by a wider and shallower grille and indicator layout.

Body styles

Engines

Transmissions

2008 Subaru Dex (JDM)

All models include Super ECT 4-speed automatic transmission.

Subaru Dex (2008-2012)

The Subaru Dex is a badge engineered version for Subaru with the K3-VE 1.3-litre engine and a choice of FWD or 4WD.

Daihatsu Materia

Daihatsu Coo

The Daihatsu Materia (Daihatsu Coo in Japan) replaced the Daihatsu YRV and is largely identical to the second generation of the Toyota bB. The Materia comes in 1.3L and 1.5L varieties with a 4WD version in the pipeline, manual and Auto versions. In UK they only ever had the 1.5L front-wheel-drive version. 0-60 mph times 10.8 seconds for manual, and 13.7 seconds for auto UK versions. Maximum speed of 106 mph (171 km/h) and for automatic 102 mph (164 km/h)

In the tenth series of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson jokingly compared the Materia to the Ascari A10, saying, "Sure the Daihatsu Materia is a good car... but on balance... I'd choose the big, yellow, shouty car instead."^[3]

The Daihatsu Materia was only ever available with a 1.5 litre, 16 valve, fuel injected, petrol engine in the UK market.^[4]

The vehicles were built in Head (Ikeda) Plant, Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.^[5]

Sales of the Daihatsu Materia was ended in Japan in January 2013.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Toyota bB.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Daihatsu Materia.

• Official webpage (in Japanese)