2011 TOYOTA MATRIX
2011 Toyota Matrix will unveil at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show on this week. The styling differences between the 2010- and 2011-MY versions of the Matrix, the revisions are barely noticeable.
The sporty five-door Toyota Matrix deftly combines a fun-to-drive spirit with the utility of a small SUV and excellent fuel economy. In 2011, the Toyota Matrix will feature new standard wheels, interior design features, the Toyota Care complimentary maintenance plan, and standard Smart Stop Technology.
The subtle refresh is limited at exterior finish to all-new front and rear bumpers with integrated front and rear underbody spoilers and a large mesh front fog lamp bezel. The newly designed 16-inch steel wheels and 17-inch, five-spoke alloy rims plus the introduction of a new Spruce Mica color round off the changes.
While in interior of 2011 Toyota Matrix includes the instrument-panel gauges feature new silver ornamentation, while there are also new metal-plated rings around the air conditioning vents, and the audio unit has a new flush surface. The updated model also gains a fresh choice of seat fabrics, while there’s also a newly designed leather-trimmed steering wheel with spoke-mounted audio controls and hands-free Bluetooth capability.
FORD WILL INCREASE THE MAXIMUM TRAILER TOW RATING
Ford announcement will increase the maximum trailer tow rating on its 2011.5 F-350 and F-450 Super Duty models to 17,500 pounds. Not coincidentally, General Motors nabbed the maximum conventional trailer rating at the beginning of 2011 with the latest versions of its Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD with ratings of up to 17,000 pounds.
It to pull such massive loads, any fullsize truck needs to be properly equipped, and in the case of the Ford, that means a 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 diesel (400 horsepower and 800 pound-feet of torque), a Crew Cab, dual-rear-wheel chassis and a weight-distributing hitch. For those keeping track, GM says its trucks can pull their maximum loads with a standard weight-carrying hitch.
What led to the increase? Ford spokeswoman Anne Marie Gattari explained that a frame change made back in August of 2010 will work together with a new hitch design that will go into production on Monday, February 7th. So, at the start of 2011, the Ford Super Duty’s maximum conventional tow rating stood at 16,000 pounds when properly equipped.
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