2010 Toyota Rukus Here Mid Year
By MURRAY HUBBARD
March 9, 2010
Toyota Australia is to launch an all-new model for Australia, to be known as "Rukus", before the middle of the year. In Japan the car is known as the Toyota bB and in the US it is marketed to the younger generation as the Scion B. Our images are of the 2010 US Scion B model. This model is pwered by a VVTs 2.4 litre four cylinder petrol engine. Toyota have not revealed Australian specifications or pricing.
“New Toyota Rukus is an urban utility vehicle with head-turning styling that projects an aggressive appearance,” said a Toyota Australia marketing manager, Scott Thompson. Mr Thompson said Rukus is designed to bring young, urban trend-setters to the Toyota family - especially those who have never previously considered a Toyota. "It will be a case of 'Rukus' by name and ruckus by nature," he said.
"This is a car that's designed to be different, with a boxy shape that has become iconic. When it's launched late in the first half of this year, it will certainly stir up the small-car market - creating a 'ruckus', if you will." The Rukus will vie for position against the Kia Soul – also a funky, squared-off urban runabout.
Mr Thompson said Toyota Rukus will be offered to urban dwellers as a blank slate. "It will be loaded with great standard features, but we expect many owners to express their individuality by making their car stand out from the pack. "That might involve wild paint jobs, funky wheels or other ideas, limited only by the imagination of owners - and what's legal.
"Potential customers have told us they want this style of car. We've listened and we're responding.
"Rukus is designed to be different: it's not for everyone. It's a bit like Vegemite: it's an acquired taste," Mr Thompson said.
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