Toyota’s “Car-Shaped Music Player” on Sale in Japan

27 December 2005

The new bB

Toyota has put its completely redesigned bB on sale in Japan. The car, cousin of the Scion xB and shown as a concept at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, is, according to Toyota, a “Car-shaped Music Player.”

This boom box on wheels, which incorporates an advanced audio system, interior lighting that flashes in rhythm to the music, and newly-developed super-reclining front seats (to “create a sense of privacy”), uses either a 1.5-liter or a 1.3-liter VVT-i engine and delivers between 36 to 39 mpg US in a combined Japanese cycle, depending upon the configuration.

The 1.5-liter and 1.3-liter VVT-i engines are also applied in the new Vitz/Yaris (earlier post), although the bB does not offer the continuously variable transmissions, instead using a four-speed automatic.

The 2006 Scion xB, fitted with a 1.5-liter engine, is rated by the EPA at 31 mpg US combined (with approximately 207 g/km CO₂ equivalent emissions.)

All new bB vehicles achieve emission levels 75% lower than the 2005 standards under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles, with 0.013 g/km of NO_x and NMHC, and 1.15 g/km of CO. Front-wheel-drive vehicles also meet the Japanese 2010 fuel efficiency standards, qualifying for incentives under the Japanese government's Green Taxation System.