User:Ridge Runner/Sandbox/drafts2

Standard

Starting out at $14,670 in 2003, the no frills base model came with few options. While it did come with air conditioning, it left out such niceties as color-keyed mirrors and door handles, blacked out window frames, and power windows, locks, and mirrors. Ground effects, a rear window riper, and alloy wheels were also stricken from the options list by Toyota, forcing buyers to go with an XR or XRS model if they wished to have features like six-way adjustable seats and variable intermittent windshield wipers. However, one option the base model could be had with was AWD for an additional $1465 (although the actual increase was $2445, since AWD only came with an automatic transmission). Adding AWD brought the car's curb weight of 2,679 lb (1,215 kg) up to 2,943 lb (1,335 kg) and decreased power by 7 hp (5 kW) and 7 lb⋅ft (9 N⋅m).^[3][4] In 2004, the price of a base model remained unchanged, but by the last year of production, 2008, it had risen to $15,510.^[5]

XR

The mid-grade trim level, the XR was designed to combine the cheapness of the base model with the looks of the XRS. By checking this option on the order sheet, customers got standard features like color-matched mirrors and door handles, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a panic button on the key fob. Options not available on the base included a sunroof, ground effects, and 16" alloy wheels. In 2007, the previously XRS-exclusive 17" wheels became an option on the XR when the XRS was discontinued. A 2003 XR started at $16,180 and 2,701 lb (1,225 kg), but when equipped with AWD cost at least $18,445 and weighed in at 2,965 lb (1,345 kg) - only $305 less than an XRS. Like the base model, the AWD engine was detuned. Again, the car's price for its sophomore year stayed the same, but in the four years after that, it rose to $16,990.^[6]

XRS

For $18,750, the top-of-the-line model came standard with four-wheel disc brakes and six speakers (the two extra speakers were tweeters) - extras not available on the other trim levels. Also included on all XRSes were anti-lock brakes with electronic distribution, cruise control, and 16" alloy wheels. In 2003, 17" wheels could be had, but only on cars without a sunroof. An option combining 17" wheels and a sunroof became available the second year of production. in 2005, an XRS started out at $18,850 and for its last year, it went for $19,250.^[7]

The pièce de résistance, however, was Toyota's high-tech 2ZZ-GE engine. Displacing 1,796 cc (1.796 L; 109.6 cu in), or 109.6 cubic inches, it produced 180 hp (134 kW) and 130 lb⋅ft (176 N⋅m) - an incredible 100 horsepower-per-liter. While its 11.5:1 compression ratio was a large factor in its performance, what set the engine apart was its ability to alter timing and valve lift through Toyota's VVTL-i. Because it could manipulate its valvetrain, the 2ZZ was capable of reaching 9000 rpm. Despite the tecchnology, however, the engine's high compression necessitates "premium" gasoline (91 octane or above in the (R+M)/2 scale. With the exception of an automatic in 2003, a six-speed manual transmission has been the only option for the XRS.^[1] A TLEV its first year of production,^[8] the 2ZZ was retrofitted in 2004 with a smog pump and reclassified as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle.^[9]

A testament to Toyota's engineering, during testing by Motor Trend and Sport Compact Car, the Matrix was able to come to a full stop from 60 mph in only 114 feet (35 m).^[1] On a skidpad, the car achieved .83 g,^[10] only .03 g less than the Celica GTS.^[11] Unfortunately, due to being front wheel drive, the Matrix has a weight distribution of 59/41 and weighs in at 2,800 lb (1,300 kg).^[1][3]