Toyota bB

Toyota bB
Second generation Toyota bB (2008)
Overview
Manufacturer	Toyota (2000–2005) Daihatsu (2005–2016)
Also called	Scion xB (2003–2006) Daihatsu Coo/Materia (2006–2012) Subaru Dex (2006–2012)
Production	January 2000 – May 2016
Body and chassis
Class	Mini MPV
Body style	5-door hatchback 3-door coupe utility (Japan only, first generation)
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Chronology
Successor	Scion xB (E150) (North America, for XP30 model) Toyota Tank/Roomy (second generation bB) Daihatsu Thor (Coo/Materia) Subaru Justy (Dex)

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 (XP30; 2000–2005)

First generation (XP30)
Overview
Also called	Scion xB (North America)
Production	January 2000 – December 2005[1][2]
Assembly	Japan: Toyota, Aichi (Takaoka plant)[1]
Body and chassis
Body style	5-door hatchback
Platform	Toyota NBC platform
Related	Toyota Vitz (XP10) Toyota ist (XP60)/Scion xA (XP60) Toyota Platz (XP10)
Powertrain
Engine	1.3 L 2NZ-FE I4 1.5 L 1NZ-FE I4
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,500 mm (98 in)
Length	3,825–3,945 mm (151–155 in)
Width	1,690 mm (67 in)
Height	1,640–1,695 mm (65–67 in)
Curb weight	1,070–1,130 kg (2,359–2,491 lb)

The first generation bB was based on the Toyota Vitz and the development was led by Toyota chief engineer Tetsuya Tada.^[3] While the box-shaped mini MPV was initially targeted towards Japanese men in their twenties, it is also popular with women buyers.

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] In more recent years, the first-generation bB has been at least privately imported to the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

Engines

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

Marketing

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

For the Scion xB, the front passenger area was also changed significantly with the bB's front bench seat replaced with bucket seats and the column-mounted shifter changed to a floor-mounted shifter.

Open Deck (2000–2001)

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

Gallery

• 

  Japanese spec bB

• 

  North American spec xB

• 

  xB Release Series 1.0 variant

• 

  bB Open Deck

Second generation (QNC20; 2005–2016)

Second generation (QNC20)
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)
Designer	Mark Widjaja (2009 minor change)[4][5]
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 1.5 L 3SZ-VET I4-T (South Africa)[6]
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,540 mm (100 in)
Length	3,785–3,800 mm (149–150 in)
Width	1,690 mm (67 in)
Height	1,635 mm (64 in)
Curb weight	1,040–1,120 kg (2,293–2,469 lb)

The second generation bB was unveiled at the 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, which is a rebadged Daihatsu Thor.

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

All models include Super ECT 4-speed automatic transmission.

Daihatsu Coo/Materia

Daihatsu Coo (Japan)

The Daihatsu Materia (Daihatsu Coo in Japan) replaced the Daihatsu YRV and is largely identical to the second generation of the Toyota bB. This generation has been discontinued. It came in 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre varieties with a 4WD option that was available on Japan. There were manual and automatic gearbox options. 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) times are 10.8 seconds for the manual and 13.7 seconds for the auto. The maximum speed is 171 km/h (106 mph) for the manual and 164 km/h (102 mph) for the automatic.

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."^[7]

The Daihatsu Materia was only ever available with a 1.5-litre, 16 valve, fuel injected, petrol engine in the UK market.^[8]

A limited edition Daihatsu Materia Turbo version available only for the South African market.^[6]

The vehicles were built in Head (Ikeda) Plant, Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.^[9]

Sales of the Daihatsu Coo ended in Japan in January 2013.

Subaru Dex

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.

Gallery

• 

  2008 Toyota bB (Japan)

• 

  2008 Subaru Dex (Japan)

• 

  Daihatsu Materia

References

External links

• Official webpage (in Japanese)