New bB hits Japan!

Toyota is known for sensible sedans and conservative styling, so it was a shock to see a flame-edged bB concept at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show. The "hip-to-be-square" bB (known as the Scion xB to us Americans) is a pretty bold-looking vehicle when compared to the rest of Toyota's fleet, but its 2-box shape isn't anything we'd call "wild".

Well, the bB Concept is wild. Here, take a gander at the vehicle as we saw it at the Tokyo Motor Show:

Pretty crazy, huh? There's no way that Toyota would actually build the thing, right?

Wrong.

Over this past holiday break, we were stunned to find out that Toyota Japan released a new bB, and it looks exactly like the concept shown on the floor of Makuhari Messe. Check it out:

It's pretty much the same damn car! Unlike most of the wild rides on display in Tokyo, this flame-edged box wasn't just a concept.

Toyota is calling this new bB a "a car-shaped music player". The "sensible" car manufacturer is taking a cue from Scion's hip youth-oriented marketing plan and is turning it up a few notches in Japan.

Let's start off with the audio system: the new bB comes packed with 9 speakers scattered throughout the car. The most notable speaker is the subwoofer packed into the center console -- it really brings the bass to your face! Sorry, that was bad. We apologize. Let's move on...

Speaking of the center console, it's supposed to resemble a DJ booth... at least that's what the PR material says. We can't see it, but this bB has 11 interior lights (many of which surround the speakers) to further give the bB's cockpit a "club vibe".

If one doesn't want his/her bB to be a "club on wheels", it can just as easily turn into a chill-out room. The front seats can recline all the way back to the rear bench (much like the front seats in the tC), providing an area for one to stretch out and catch a few Zs.

Of course, new bB owners can accessorize the exteriors of these new "boxes", too. All sorts of wheels, exhaust systems and springs can be purchased right through the dealerships. Premium aero kits can also be installed for those buyers with yen to spare. And we're not talking boring factory ground effects here, kids... we're talking full aero kits from top-tier companies like KenStyle, Admiration and Modellista. And yes, these are all available from the dealer.

Power for the new bB hasn't changed, sadly. The 1.5 liter engine returns, as does the 1.3 liter 4WD drivetrain. Sure it's not fast, but it's enough for Japan's 80 kph (49 mph) freeway speed limit.

So will this new bB come to the U.S. as the next xB? We're not sure. The current xB is a sales success for Scion/Toyota, and it makes sense for the company to keep the car in its line-up. However, now that this new bB is being manufactured, will Scion keep making the current U.S.-spec box at a different plant? Or will it be bringing out a totally different successor to the xB? We don't know yet, but with the Los Angeles and Detroit Auto Shows just days away, we're sure to find out soon. Stay tuned.