Jalopnik
If you want to see the new 2009 Toyota Urban Cruiser in person you can either hop on a plane next month and head to the Geneva Motor Show — or you can just take a look at these spy photos of the new 'yota driving about sans camouflage on the snowy Swedish roads. Just like the press shot of the new Urban small-uv we've already seen from Toyota, these clear-as-day photos show us the Urban Cruiser will basically be a re-designed US-Spec Scion xD. The changes appear to be a big-time front fascia revision, including the addition of a new grille shape, a new front bumper, new fog lamps, and a revamped lower intake design. What carries over? The headlights. Read the full spy report below the jump.
We just snapped some fresh pix of the Geneva-bound Toyota Urban Cruiser, caught undisguise on the slick roads of Northern Sweden. Toyota has released one front-end image of the new Urban Cruiser, but we can now show you a full 360-degree view of the car in its showroom trim.The Urban Cruiser represents the start of the Scionization of Toyota's
European small car lineup, as the car in these spy shots shows a
mildly-revised Scion xD. The face of the European Urban Cruiser gets
a thorough front fascia revision, adding a new grille shape, new
front bumper, new fog lamps, and a revamped lower intake design. The
only front-end carryover from our U.S.-spec Scion xD are the
headlights. A new, chunkier rear bumper design is also part of the
Urban Cruiser's revised look.Toyota executives are calling the Urban Cruiser an "environmentally
responsible SUV", but the SUV claim seems a little shaky.
Environmentally responsible, we have no issue with that. Whatever the
Urban Cruisers accurate description may be, it is destined to go on
sale in Europe later this Spring.
Comments
Maybe the SUV thing is a bit of a stretch. Or even CUV. How about "High Car"? Not relating to its stature, but rather to the designers' state of mind.
I really don't understand the point of this vehicle. Toyota already has 6 s/cuv's of various sizes configurations and abilities. Why add another, and an even more puzzling question: why make it look like an xD? Are the RAV4 and Highlander too big, not urban cruiser-y enough?
Wait, if this is only for the European market, it is less stupid, not un-stupid, just less so.
@wookie1901: Looks like Euro-only. Here, it would just cannibalize Scion.
I appreciate that Toyota does not have the most iconic and identifiable styling in any of their models, but did they really think they would fool anyone by simply covering the logo with packing tape? Geez, try a little harder guys. Even that bus builder went to the trouble of finding some really big poster board for their test mule.
Urge to kill... rising
I HATE CUVS
There really aren't any pretty cars made in this segment. It's now proven.
@ØmÆgä ßrÅff: why?
It doesn't look any taller than a regular xD to me. Does it at least have 4WD? That front grill reminds me of the Aztek. Blech.
There is nothing SUV or CUV about this...Its a AWD xD for young Urban Hipsters in Wisconsin and Northern Minnesota
I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS!!! Don't they already have a RAV4? Oh wait, the latest RAV4 is HUGE.
This vehicle is nothing more than an IST from Japan with a different name for the European market.
We won't be getting it in the states.
Now, where's that lightbulb emoticon from phpbb-based forums when I need it...
meh... if I were in europia, I'd rather have a Nissan Qashqai
So it's basically a Toyota Compass, then. When will Farago start writing Toyota Death Watch editorials?
@weatherman: because every company under the sun decided to throw the concept of design out the window... everything looks the same now and I blame it on mid-size to small suvs... There is a new era of malaise around us yet it is not readily apparent to all.
We don't need another EdgeRavRXPilotCXEscape... we need something new.
Go back and scroll through the pictures of the Detroit Auto show and you will see what I am talking about...
Kinda misleading. It's not even a "big-time front fascia revision." That's the exact bumper that the Toyota ist uses. Pretty much everything is the same as the ist, except for the black matte pieces. The xD is the one that's "revised." When, O when will Toyota try harder?
Not an xD. Check the ride height.
Running out of ideas, I'd say.
@Volvo144:
Most XD owners change the springs for a drop, but here is one that hasn't been modded yet.
Funny how they speak as though the ist doesn't exist.
This is the ist. Right height is the same. Black plastic makes it look like it's higher.
If you look at the 2nd picture (almost straight on) you'll notice the black is missing under the door sills. Plastic on the bumper is identical to JDM ist. Wish we had that front end.
BTW, I drive a red xD. Fun car, great mileage.
This sort of reminds me of when Geo had it's own division and then little by little it blended into Chevrolet.
It seems like Scion is doing the same thing
If it's Euro only, so be it. However, if you want a small (read: compact or smaller), AWD vehicle in the U.S., your only choice is a Suzuki SX4. Not necessarily a bad choice, but it's the only choice. The next smallest is the Impreza, I believe.
If Toyota did release an AWD version of the xD, at least we'd have two b-segment AWDs in the U.S. I'd rock it.
Hmm, not sure if I like it yet or not. Toyota does need some smaller vehicles ever since they added 14" to the Rav4 and basically turned it into a highlander. Currently Scion seems to be the smaller vehicle base, and currently they don't really have an AWD small SUV or CUV, so this might just fit that niche (XE?)
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