JEDDAH, 21 September 2003 — Toyota’s new xA five-door hatchback, described as a new style premium vehicle aimed at the youth, was launched by Abdul Latif Jameel Company here last night.
“It’s a muscular five-door hatchback that features an athletic stance, sculpted wheel arches and tightly connected visual cues that flow dramatically from front to rear,” Tetsuya Tada, chief engineer of Toyota xA, said in his presentation at Le Jeddah Meridien Hotel.
“The new model, introduced in Japan and the United States earlier, has the active feel of an SUV, the utility of a wagon and the stylish look of a specialty car all combined and packed in a compact body,” he said.
The car has been well received in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman like in Japan and the US. It will next be introduced in the United Arab Emirates.
“With its 1.5-liter engine, the xA provides an excellent power-to-weight ratio. Variable valve timing with intelligence ensures an even spread of power for sporty response across the engine speed range. Also, a performance-tuned suspension with automatic super “Electronic controlled transmission” offers responsive and pleasant driving,” Tada said.
“The level of safety has been given its due importance through excellent driving stability; in fact various safety features are offered as standard. For instance, it has ABS as standard to help achieve excellent vehicle control in case of emergency. Also, “global outstanding assessment” (GOA) based on the “omni-direction compatibility concept” has been introduced in order to secure the safety of passengers in case of collision whatever the size and weight of the colliding car. Its rear, strong bumpers in addition to wide tires and stylish rear lights complement the essence of xA design,” he added.
Its exterior is visually appealing with the radiator grill that makes for the hood with ample volume. The car, whose interior is “Unique and original but functional and comfortable,” costs in the range of SR40,000 and SR45,000 and ALJ expects to sell 125 units a month, Adnan M. Al-Qahtani, marketing general manager at ALJ, said.
“We conducted a survey among the Saudi youth to know their likes and preferences in such a model and we have incorporated all of their suggestions,” he added.
