![Bugatti Bird-gate Followup: Driver identity revealed <b>[*UPDATE:</b> Now with actual crash video!]](http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/bugatti-veyron-swim-1258147199_143x85.jpg)
Scion announces xB Release Series 5.0 for February
click above for more high-res images of the 2008 Scion xB R.S. 5.0
Scion does this all the time – unveils a special Release Series version of a model and affixes an X.0 appendage to the name like it's a firmware update. Very hip, edgy stuff. The newest one and first special edition Scion model for 2008 is the xB R.S. 5.0. This edition's main selling point is its Gold Rush Mica paint job since it's the same color that appeared on the xB show car unveiled at last year's Chicago Auto Show. It also features a body kit by KenStyle that's tasteful enough, but the tuner vibe is totally killed by the set of exclusive Release Series wheel covers that the vehicle is wearing. This thing needs solid alloys if it wants to be taken seriously. The R.S. 5.0 is the first of the new xB models with a moonroof, however. Not much has changed with the interior except for a splash of the same Gold Rush Mica on some trim pieces and the seats.
One thing that the Scion xB R.S. 5.0 will be is exclusive, since only 2,500 will be made and priced from $15,650 for the manual and $16,600 for the automatic. The only option appears to be a rear spoiler dipped in, what else? Gold Rush Mica paint. That adds another $320 to the bottom line. The xB R.S. 5.0 will go on sale in February at your nearest Scion dealer. No need to rush, we doubt there'll be a line unless a TRD supercharger suddenly becomes an option.
[Source: Scion]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jbroadhouse 10:42PM (2/05/2008)
Long live the toaster! I lived in Japan for 2 years and maybe I've become a bit brainwashed or had too much wasabi, but really the utility of this sort of car is fantastic. As a drummer space is paramount. I have a 2006. Yeah they cut a few corners, but it isn't a Lexus so I'm not that mad about it. Of course it's not a WRX either, but that isn't its purpose.
I'm not totally sold on the new model.
Oh yeah.... I hate to tell Mr. Daihatsu Hater in an earlier post, but lots of car companies use other firms to build and/or design their products. It's inevitable. It's not just the car industry either, every industry does this. Daihatsu actually builds some pretty sweet little cars in Japan, they just brought the dumb ones here.
Hybrid could be cool, but I wouldn't mind a super efficient 50+ mpg diesel like I read Honda was supposed to be developing awhile ago.
Reply
halfpintandfamily 8:18AM (5/13/2009)
how come they stop making the scion xb 5.0 series love the color and the car awesome it so comes to be my husband and i were at toyota to look at a xb and saw this one found out they no longer make the 5.o series =( then they also showed us a book and saw mike vu xb truck loved that even more my husbands in a car club u know how they love to spruce up there cars when we both saw ur truck we loved it and was disappointed it can only be purchased in japan how come we loved it the colored and the truck it self was awesome wish we new someone in japan to purchase that xb truck with that paint job because we sure do love it and its depressing to know its advertised yes!!!but we cant purchase (just not right)
Reply
Mike 4:06PM (1/11/2008)
I do not see any sales numbers for Scion? Are they counted under Toyota and not broken out? How are the sales of these new models compared to the old? Anyone have the figures?
I have seen, I think, maybe two Xb's in denver, and maybe one, if that, of the other model (Xd?)
The tc's are even showing up less and less around here...
Reply
CH 4:35PM (1/11/2008)
Scion sales are way down:
Model 2007 2006 %Change
xA 9,547 32,603 -70.8
xB 45,834 61,306 -25.5
tC 63,852 79,125 -19.6
xD 10,948 n/a n/a
Mike 5:36PM (1/11/2008)
Ouch. I didn't realize the sales were tanking that bad... Toy really needs to revitalize this brand or it will go the way of Daewoo Auto here in the US (cheap, college/youth focused)
I am impressed though, that AB was able to complete this write-up without mention of the PT Cruiser special editions.
why not the LS2/LS7? 6:12PM (1/11/2008)
Maybe if the new xB made any sense compared to the old one it would sell better.
MooseMuffin 6:27PM (1/11/2008)
To be fair, I believe the TC was the only scion that had a 2007 model.
tekdemon 4:52AM (1/12/2008)
The new xB is significantly more expensive than the old one (and larger...and not based on the bB which is stupid), and after they launched the Yaris it didn't make any sense to buy the older version as an xA, which is why the xA numbers tanked.
The tC most likely dropped the 20% since it wasn't brand new anymore. If you factor in the fact that the Yaris took a lot of the xA/xD sales the sales drop makes a lot more sense.
Mostly the only really stupid thing was Toyota deciding to make the xB a Camry based wagon that kinda ruined the entire point of the xB...at least in Japan they get both to choose from, instead we don't even get an option.
yaroukh 4:11PM (1/11/2008)
WTF? do poeple actually buy this joke? c'mon, it looks like $%^&
Reply
Zerk 4:14PM (1/11/2008)
Moonroof is the major upgrade.
Reply
MooseMuffin 4:18PM (1/11/2008)
"This thing needs solid alloys if it wants to be taken seriously."
Yes, because that's all that would need to happen for this to be taken seriously.
Reply
Benfolio 6:24PM (1/11/2008)
Scion doesn't put alloys on it because (and I forget the exact figures) alot of thier customers go out and buy their own custom wheels. It's one of the fist upgrades ANYONE makes to thier cars.
So why pay extra for something you're gonna toss on eBay or in the basement for the winter?
why not the LS2/LS7? 8:48PM (1/11/2008)
Especially at dealer prices.
You can throw out even factory alloys and upgrade to good alloys for less than the price of your dealer selling you a set of good alloys. So throwing out steelies is a no brainer.
They're even cheaper if you get those crappy alloys with the combination Honda/Toyota bolt patterns on them.
RoadRog 4:22PM (1/11/2008)
Toyota, I mean Scion, really screwed the pooch on the new xB and the 5.0 release is no better. Bigger, heavier, and lower gas mileage. That's progress. I am very happy with my Gen I xB and will own it till it pukes. It is not the fastest car and certainly not the best looking, but I love 30 mpg and all the head room a 6'2" guy could want. Maybe Nissan will bring the Cube over.
Reply
Biff Baxter 4:33PM (1/11/2008)
BIGGER!
HEAVIER!
THIRSTIER!
and COSTLIER!!!!!!
Reply
pio!pio! 4:34PM (1/11/2008)
the new xb looks like a milk truck/van to me
Reply
YourNameHere 4:39PM (1/11/2008)
the first time i saw the xB2 i thought to myself..."you know what this car needs, MORE fake scoops!" thank you scion!
Reply
Luis 5:51PM (1/11/2008)
Actually, those are functional scoops. They send cooling air to the wheels so that those cheap plastic wheel covers won't melt!
David(Postal) 4:40PM (1/11/2008)
The old xB was kind of charming in its own way. This thing is bloated like most other toyotas now
Reply
izzy 4:58PM (1/11/2008)
If the tC ate the xB and took a dump, this is what it would look like.
I'm glad to hear that they're including a moon roof on this model so that soon, all Scions models will have rattling glass panels and flimsy roof liners.
Reply