Blitz Supercharged 2006 Toyota bB - Strength Behind The Chromosome

The Blitz SUS Power Core Type air cleaner was fitted to the intake system to provide ample amount of incoming air while reducing cavitations in the flow path. The entire air cleaner assembly is made of 200-micron T-304 stainless steel mesh, delivering enough air volume to produce over 1,000 hp, an apparent overkill for the bB. This highly corrosion resistant material is well suited for open element intake systems. Although open element systems are inherently exposed to engine heat more so than the factory air cleaner assembly, the modifications were necessary to deliver sufficient intake air to the supercharger. Separating the air cleaner from the engine's heat by building walls and using the hood as a seal would have reduced the heat exposure; however, positioning the air cleaner elsewhere and increasing the intake air tubing length might have altered the performance characteristics of the engine. Varying tubing lengths can often change horsepower and torque figures. The Blitz system delivers a rather balanced performance gain in both of those measures.

On the post-combustion side, the performance masters at Blitz opted for the free-breathing NÜR-SPEC DT axle-back stainless steel exhaust system. The two-piece kit utilizes a slanted mounting design to eliminate unnecessary bends. Where required, the 2-inch exhaust tubing is mandrel bent to minimize flow obstruction. The muffler assembly is both visually and audibly attractive with a polished stainless steel finish, a 4.5-inch diameter chimney pipe exhaust tip and an aggressive tone.

All this translated into a good day at the dynamometer for our beloved specimen. Although not quite enough to allow membership into the distinguished 1,000-plus horsepower club, the performance gain is rather remarkable considering the proportional improvement in both horsepower and torque. The maximum rate of power application increased by just over 30 percent measuring 144 hp at 6,100 rpm. Torque also went up nearly 40 percent from 104 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm to 143 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. We can only fantasize about what horsepower figures would be like had the engine made that same torque at 4,400 rpm or higher, since the same torque at higher engine speeds yields higher horsepower.

Transferring that power to the road are the Blitz bB's 225/35-R18 Dunlop Le Mans LM703 tires mounted on 18x8 Blitz Racing Wheel Profile 08 Metal Silver wheels. Although the +45mm offset wheels fill up the wheelwell distinctively, they aren't exactly available in the four-bolt, 100mm configuration. These were specially made for this bB. Naturally, a sleek and attractive look like this cannot be achieved by simply replacing the OEM wheels with large diameter aftermarket sets unless attraction is defined as some sort of guilty pleasure associated with the enjoyment of steamrollers. Blitz's Super Flex Suspension is the perfect complement that brings the hub center two inches closer to the fender. The result is an enviable fitment and ride height that would make grandma look cool.

Proving adaptation is a sign of evolutionary success, this urban bB is outfitted with an attractive six-piece body kit, equipped with an optional factory navigation system and a standard nine-speaker audio system that employs multi-mode beat-sensitive illumination around five of the nine speakers including convenient armrest-mounted sound controls - noteworthy backups in case the 144hp supercharged power plant fails to impress.

Although rightfully excluded from the elite club of Subaru STIs and Mitsubishi EVOs, the Blitz bB stands in a class of its own for distinctive styling, exciting performance and superior quality engineering. Also, while those cars are attainable at their respective car dealers, this bB will never reach the U.S. market since the evolutionary process has predestined Scion's xB to become something entirely different beginning with the 2008 model year. Let the evolution proceed.