Motor Authority - blog Category: Scion

  • Tanner Foust's V8-powered 2009 D1 Formula Drift Scion tC

    Tanner Foust's V8-powered 2009 D1 Formula Drift Scion tC April 13th, 2009 ByJames Martinez James Martinez, Author, April 13th, 2009 James Martinez 4 Comments

    Tanner Foust's V8-powered 2009 D1 Formula Drift Scion tC Last year we reported on the RS*R 400hp Scion drift car that was competing in the D1 Formula Drift Championship. After its first successful seasoning campaigning the tC sports coupe in Formula Drift, Scion decided to return to the series in 2009 with another team supporting a second tC, and this is the car that was built for that team.

    To become a drift king, however, the punchy little Scion had to undergo some major corrective surgery, including a complete driveline reconfiguration, putting the power at the back. The tC shares a common platform with Toyota's Japanese market Avensis four-wheel drive and Caldina all-wheel drive, a factor... Last year we reported on the RS*R 400hp Scion drift car that was competing in the D1 Formula Drift Championship. After its first successful seasoning campaigning the tC sports coupe in Formula Drift, Scion decided to return to the series in 2009 with another team supporting a second tC, and this is the car that was built for that team. To become a drift king, however, the punchy little Scion had to undergo some major corrective surgery, including a complete driveline reconfiguration, putting the power at the back. The tC shares a common platform with Toyota's Japanese market Avensis four-wheel drive and Caldina all-wheel drive, a factor that likely helped it to undergo the adaptation. Spinning those drive wheels with sufficient fury to provide fan-pleasing clouds of smoke is a V8 engine based on Toyota's NASCAR racing engine, rated at 650hp (485kW) and 450lb-ft (610Nm) of torque, according to Edmunds. The Rockstar team also has some serious driving credentials behind it, with two-time Formula Drift champion Tanner Foust among the drivers. Foust is noted for his work as a stunt driver for movies such as the 'Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift', 'The Bourne Ultimatum' and the 'Dukes of Hazzard'. He was also slated to be one of the presenters of the now-in-limbo American version of Top Gear. The Scion drift car is run by the Scion Drift Team in conjunction with Rockstar Energy Drinks. The crew at AEM made the drift car out of a factory-built, front-wheel drive tC and turn it into a drifting contender through a rear-wheel drive conversion from their production facility, which features an on-site chassis dynamometer and machine shop for custom fabrication needs.Scion tC Rockstar Formula D drift car Read More

  • Scion-branded iQ hatch concept rolls into New York Auto Show

    Scion-branded iQ hatch concept rolls into New York Auto Show April 8th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, April 8th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 7 Comments

    Scion-branded iQ hatch concept rolls into New York Auto Show The iQ hatch has been winning hearts and awards ever since its debut at last year's Paris Motor Show thanks to its cute face and its innovative design. Now it is catching second looks as it shows up in New York wearing a Scion badge and a special urban look.

    Targeted directly at Scion's already urban-biased customer base, the iQ offers Toyota's best bet for a small and functional city car. Building it as a Scion gives it the style and pop it will need to have a shot in the U.S., where simply being small, efficient and cute isn't always enough.

    “Traditionally small vehicles have been thought of as being basic. The iQ concept is just... The iQ hatch has been winning hearts and awards ever since its debut at last year's Paris Motor Show thanks to its cute face and its innovative design. Now it is catching second looks as it shows up in New York wearing a Scion badge and a special urban look. Targeted directly at Scion's already urban-biased customer base, the iQ offers Toyota's best bet for a small and functional city car. Building it as a Scion gives it the style and pop it will need to have a shot in the U.S., where simply being small, efficient and cute isn't always enough. “Traditionally small vehicles have been thought of as being basic. The iQ concept is just the opposite with its innovative features and iconic urban design, and we believe it fits in well within the Scion brand," said Jack Hollis, Scion's VP. "Our young, trendsetting buyers are creative and innovative forward thinkers, and we think they will appreciate what iQ has to offer." Mechanically, the car is identical to the iQ, meaning it can fit into tiny parking spots, handle city traffic speeds deftly and even cruise the suburbs with relative ease. For more on the underlying iQ platform, check out our previous coverage of the iQ's migration to the Scion brand. Though disguised as a 'concept' the Scion iQ is more of an advance look at what Scion will be doing with the car for the U.S. market. “We believe the Scion iQ micro-subcompact concept is the future of transportation,” said Hollis. “If it should join our future line-up, I think it could reach iconic status like our xB. Its styling will attract attention and if it’s a Scion, you know it’ll be easy to personalize.” A few unique changes have been made for the U.S. Scion iQ, leaving behind the somewhat bland styling of the Toyota version for a wide-bodied and fender-flared version that actually looks quite sporting. With the aggressive front clip and relatively huge wheels, the car certainly looks ready to engage a young, urban, forward-looking audience - much more so than its staid Toyota basis.Scion iQ Concept Read More

  • Scion badged Toyota iQ headed to New York Auto Show

    Scion badged Toyota iQ headed to New York Auto Show April 1st, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, April 1st, 2009 Kenneth Hall 1 Comment

    Scion badged Toyota iQ headed to New York Auto Show Toyota’s new iQ minicar has gone on sale in Japan and most parts of Europe already, but there are now indications that the diminutive hatch could make its way to the United States. A Scion badged version of the car has been snapped by spy photographers on the back of a truck as it was heading to the New York Auto Show.

    The version spotted is a concept and not a production model, although this is the strongest indication yet that the diminutive hatch will finally be heading to U.S. showrooms. One reason why it likely won’t be badged as a Toyota is because its low fuel consumption rating could end up luring away customers from the... Toyota’s new iQ minicar has gone on sale in Japan and most parts of Europe already, but there are now indications that the diminutive hatch could make its way to the United States. A Scion badged version of the car has been snapped by spy photographers on the back of a truck as it was heading to the New York Auto Show. The version spotted is a concept and not a production model, although this is the strongest indication yet that the diminutive hatch will finally be heading to U.S. showrooms. One reason why it likely won’t be badged as a Toyota is because its low fuel consumption rating could end up luring away customers from the more expensive Prius , as well as the slightly bigger Yaris. The iQ could be a perfect addition for the Scion brand. Its expected price tag of less than $15,000 coupled with its young and hip styling could generate the same excitement that the original xA and xB models did when they were launched earlier this decade. Compared to the semi-successful 'smart' minicar, the iQ is also more practical and is expected to be more fuel efficient. One of the biggest hurdles is that the car would need to be modified extensively to meet American safety standards. The iQ is fitted with a total of nine air-bags, including the world's first rear-window curtain air-bag, but if it were to be sold in the U.S. it would need better reinforcements at the back. One solution is to remove the back seat and make the car a strict two-seater in the same vein as the Smart ForTwo but Toyota is keen to keep the four-seat layout. All should be revealed next week at the New York event.2010 Toyota iQ minicar Read More

  • Scion confirms ”micro-subcompact” concept car for New York Auto Show

    Scion confirms ”micro-subcompact” concept car for New York Auto Show March 18th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, March 18th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 1 Comment

    Scion confirms ”micro-subcompact” concept car for New York Auto Show Scion has confirmed plans to unveil a new “micro-subcompact” concept car at the upcoming New York Auto Show. The concept will reflect Scion's youthful image and represents a new segment for the brand aimed toward the growing urbanization trend.

    This basically means that Scion will be expanding into the minicar segment, which would coincide with previously speculation that Toyota’s iQ minicar could eventually be sold in the U.S. wearing Scion badges. Further strengthening the iQ’s chances of arriving on U.S. soil was the confirmation last year that the minicar was being considered for the North American market.

    ... Scion has confirmed plans to unveil a new “micro-subcompact” concept car at the upcoming New York Auto Show. The concept will reflect Scion's youthful image and represents a new segment for the brand aimed toward the growing urbanization trend. This basically means that Scion will be expanding into the minicar segment, which would coincide with previously speculation that Toyota’s iQ minicar could eventually be sold in the U.S. wearing Scion badges. Further strengthening the iQ’s chances of arriving on U.S. soil was the confirmation last year that the minicar was being considered for the North American market. While there is no other official details, a quick search of the U.S. Patent and Trademark website reveals that Toyota has registered the name “tD”, which means we could have the name of Scion’s next model – either way, we should find out in a couple of weeks. Incidentally, Scion used last year’s New York event to showcase the boxy Hako concept car but it was purely done as a styling exercise and was never intended for production.Scion Hako Concept Read More

  • Hollywood celebrities to take part in Toyota-backed charity race

    Hollywood celebrities to take part in Toyota-backed charity race March 11th, 2009 ByJames Martinez James Martinez, Author, March 11th, 2009 James Martinez 1 Comment

    Hollywood celebrities to take part in Toyota-backed charity race Toyota will be hosting a celebrity race next month with a star-studded field of competitors intended to draw audiences and help raise funding for numerous charities. A total of 20 drivers will compete and already confirmed for the event are a number of A-list actors including Keanu Reeves, who starred in the Matrix, and Oscar-winner Adrien Brody.

    Other celebrities slated to appear in the race include Luke Wilson, Jon Hamm, Tim Daly, Tyson Beckford, Alex Trebek and comedian Carlos Mencia. The twenty celebrities will complete ten laps around a 1.97-mile street circuit that winds through the downtown streets of Long Beach in California. Each... Toyota will be hosting a celebrity race next month with a star-studded field of competitors intended to draw audiences and help raise funding for numerous charities. A total of 20 drivers will compete and already confirmed for the event are a number of A-list actors including Keanu Reeves, who starred in the Matrix, and Oscar-winner Adrien Brody. Other celebrities slated to appear in the race include Luke Wilson, Jon Hamm, Tim Daly, Tyson Beckford, Alex Trebek and comedian Carlos Mencia. The twenty celebrities will complete ten laps around a 1.97-mile street circuit that winds through the downtown streets of Long Beach in California. Each will behind the wheel of specially designed race versions of the Scion tC coupe. A second 'Pro' category will also be run, with Jamie Little, ESPN/ABC pit reporter for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, set to compete against two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and two-time CART Series Champion Al Unser, Jr. Toyota will donate $5,000 to the "Racing for Kids" foundation in the name of each celebrity racer, and another $5,000 to the winning racer's charity of choice. Additionally, $15,000 will be donated in the name of the pole-position winner of the Toyota Pro-Celebrity Race qualifying session on April 18. Read More

  • Scion announces tC Release Series 5.0 pricing

    Scion announces tC Release Series 5.0 pricing February 9th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, February 9th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 1 Comment

    Scion announces tC Release Series 5.0 pricing The Release Series of limited-edition Scions gets another member this year as the tC Release Series 5.0 (tC RS 5.0) joins the ranks. The car will be unveiled February 11 at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show, one year after the debut of its predecessor, the tC RS 4.0.

    Pricing of the new car checks in at $2,300 over the standard tC's base price of $17,000 in manual guise, or $17,800 in automatic trim. The car will feature a 'Toyota Racing Development (TRD) theme' and be limited to just 2,000 examples.

    Gloss black exterior paint and TRD exterior badging mark the primary exterior appearance changes while TRD 18in matte black wheels with red trim, TRD... The Release Series of limited-edition Scions gets another member this year as the tC Release Series 5.0 (tC RS 5.0) joins the ranks. The car will be unveiled February 11 at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show, one year after the debut of its predecessor, the tC RS 4.0. Pricing of the new car checks in at $2,300 over the standard tC's base price of $17,000 in manual guise, or $17,800 in automatic trim. The car will feature a 'Toyota Racing Development (TRD) theme' and be limited to just 2,000 examples. Gloss black exterior paint and TRD exterior badging mark the primary exterior appearance changes while TRD 18in matte black wheels with red trim, TRD lowering springs, a TRD rear sway bar and TRD sport muffler offer improved handling and performance. Inside, the tC RS 5.0 gets a black leather steering wheel with red stitching, black seats with red accents and TRD-logo floormats. Each tC RS 5.0 is individually numbered to reflect its limited-edition status. The car will go on sale in March.2009 Scion tC Release Series 5.0 Read More

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