Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hatchbacks, Scion, Special/Limited Editions
Scion bringing xB Release Series 6.0 to Detroit
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Jan 7th 2009 at 3:31PM 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Scion xB Release Series 6.0
Scion will continue its habit of offering tweaked versions of its wares as "Release Series" models at next week's Detroit Auto Show where the Scion xB Release Series 6.0 will be revealed. As is de rigeur for these special editions, the R.S. 6.0 will get its own paint color, "Absolutely Red" (it's a standard color for the Yaris), along with a unique front grille and wheel covers (seriously, wheel covers?). Inside, a new Pioneer Audio Visual Navigation system is included on the R.S., along with matching red accents on various trim pieces and seat fabric, as well as four-color interior lighting.
Want one? Only 2,500 copies will be produced, so act fast and be prepared to drop an extra $1,743 over the base xB's price of $15,750. Add an extra $950 for an automatic transmission (if you must) and an extra $320 for a color-matched rear spoiler.
Gallery: Scion xB Release Series 6.0
PRESS RELEASE
Scion Announces Pricing for xB Release Series 6.0
To be Displayed at the 2009 North American International Auto Show
TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Scion announced today that its first limited-production vehicle for 2009, the xB Release Series 6.0 (xB R.S. 6.0), will be available at dealer showrooms in February.
A 2009 xB RS 6.0 will be on display in the Scion booth at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, January 11-25 for media and public days.
The 2009 xB Release Series 6.0 comes exclusively in Absolutely Red exterior paint. A unique front grille with custom black finish and Release Series wheel covers distinguish this limited production xB. A color-keyed rear spoiler will be available as an option.
Inside, the xB features a touch screen Pioneer Audio Visual Navigation (AVN) headunit with flash memory, voice recognition, MSN Direct, and Bluetooth(R). For media player flexibility, the AVN unit comes with USB, SD card, and iPod connectivity. The Pioneer AVN headunit is also satellite radio and HD Radio(R) ready and will play DVDs and iPod videos when the vehicle is in park. In addition, users can select from over 32,000 colors to customize the 5.8-inch high-resolution WVGA LCD touch-panel display.
Absolutely Red makes its mark inside the xB as well with color-tuned four-in-one interior lights, RS 6.0 illuminated door sills, and accented interior trim and color-tuned seat fabric. The xB RS 6.0 will also be equipped with a rear cargo cover. Individually numbered badging completes the uniqueness of this vehicle.
Only 2,500 units of the xB RS 6.0 will be built. The xB RS 6.0 model will carry a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $1,743 over the base price of the xB. The base MSRP for the standard xB with a manual transmission is $15,750, while the standard xB with an automatic transmission model carries a MSRP of $16,700. The available Absolutely Red spoiler has a MSRP of $320, not including installation.
The delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee for all Scion models is $670 and is not included in the MSRP. DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Torrent 3:36PM (1/07/2009)
Didn't scion get the memo? your whole lineup is fugly.
Reply
BoneHeadOtto 3:42PM (1/07/2009)
The memo i got said fugly is cool. But then again that memo came from Toyota corporate
Mr. Luke 5:01PM (1/07/2009)
They just pulled the logo off and called it new!
LMAO! FAIL!
moyoi 6:02PM (1/07/2009)
Wait! It's what the kids want!!!!
happy_penguin 10:16PM (1/07/2009)
Scion scucks.
BoneHeadOtto 3:37PM (1/07/2009)
Personally i love the new xB. But this is not the right color. I would much rather see that electric blue color that the FJ comes in.
That and either a more efficient motor, or even better just put the darn 3.5 v6 in there since it gets nearly the same mileage as that agina toyota 2.4L 4. I seriously bet that a scion xB with a 6spd manual and taller gears would get better mileage than the current one, be as fast as a Mazda speed 3 and cost less. Please make that car Toyota
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tekd 5:43PM (1/07/2009)
Dude...that motor costs more money, and the Scion brand is meant as the budget brand in the Toyota lineup.
Don't ever expect to see expensive motors there, lol.
BoneHeadOtto 9:53PM (1/07/2009)
Yeah that motor costs more but not much. And Scion is all about getting people to spend money on upgrades. They have a $4k super charger upgrade that only adds 40hp. So scion is not all about cheap. Adding the v6 would cost way less.
In the Camry the v6 upgrade and 6speed auto add a premium of $2600
In the Rav-4 the engine and transmission upgrade only adds $2000.
So say it adds $2750 to the price of an xB. You would still only be looking at a base price of $18500!!! for a 3100lb micro van with 269hp. You cannot tell me that wouldnt sell. Even at $22k that car would undercut all the performance eco cars while having more storage, AND better economy when you factor in that it would not require premium. win win win. I wish Toyota saw it the same way.
dinnercoat 2:07AM (1/08/2009)
Bonehead,
You do realize that the xB has not been designed to use you're stated Camry 3.5L V6, at all?
Also, no one here should have to point out your shoddy math but I have a feeling someone will. That someone just won't be me.
wef 3:17AM (1/08/2009)
@dinnercoat
no need to point out anything..his name is self-explanatory.
BoneHeadOtto 9:11AM (1/08/2009)
@dinnercoat
The engine bay on the xB is huge. There is a lot of space in there and a tuner has already fit a Tundra v8 in there. The xB shares many components with the camry so i am positive there is room and it woudl be quite easy from an engineering standpoint to do so. Probably the biggest reason they dont is that they have to go through all the saftey cert again and they probably dont recognize the market.
And where is the shoddy math?
15750 + 2750 = 18500.
In my area gas is 1.60 reg and 1.90 premium. Thats a little over 18% better. So if the xB with v6 got 27 mpg hwy (which is what the 600lb heavier v6 rav-4 gets) that would be cost equivalent to 32mpg on premium. The Mazda Speed 3 gets 25mpg hwy with premium. So the xB would have the upper hand over most if not all competition in this class.
On Edmunds.com the Base rav-4 is $21500 and the Base v6 is listed at $23535. This is a $2000 difference
so yep all the math i did in my BoneHead checks out. I like to go by BoneHead so people like you can be proven wrong by a BoneHead.
But my main point is that Toyota is missing an opportunity to release a segment busting car. A Scion xB v6 manaul for under $20k would be a phenominal car and i think it is entirely do-able.
firstplace 3:37PM (1/07/2009)
great... another modern day under powered scooby van. Except this one probably is tweeked by being overpriced.
Reply
BoneHeadOtto 3:40PM (1/07/2009)
you should probably go drive one. With 160ish hp and a manual it is not a slouch. It might be one of the fastest cars for that price. I have seen road tests where its 0-60 is in the high 7s. Not fast of course but not slow for that price and practicality.
firstplace 4:02PM (1/07/2009)
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/car_shopping/budget_rides/scion_xb_road_test
0-60: 10.6s (2008) Car and Driver (4A)
"for the not so young set"
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=6902
0-60: 7.5s (2008) Road and Track (5M)
slalom 63.7 mph, 0.82g skidpad.
"with looks only a ups driver could love"
3000+lbs and 158hp dosent sound like much fun.
dkw 4:24PM (1/07/2009)
a 3 second difference between an automatic and a manual transmission??
I'm not doubting the numbers you gave, just surprised that the difference is that big!
What'd Toyota do wrong there???
firstplace 4:43PM (1/07/2009)
Low torque. Auto's use torque converters which work most efficientcy (for acceleration) with high torque and relatively high stall (but poorer fuel efficiency). Manuals and auto manuals or even CVT would be better suited to engines which have low torque.
BoneHeadOtto 10:16PM (1/07/2009)
"3000+lbs and 158hp dosent sound like much fun."
does 2930 lbs with 156hp sound like fun? That is the Mazda 3 sport which costs $3k more and is considered the sportiest in its class.
At $15750 there are few cars that can out perform the xB. And at that price with that level of practicality there is ABSOLUTELY nothing that even comes close.
BTW the xB max cargo capacity is 70ish cu. ft. while the mazda 3 is 44. That is the insane level of practicality im talking about.
AJ 9:32PM (1/08/2009)
@bonehead...
If you want quick for that price, you're barking up the wrong tree.
Pay 5 grand extra and buy a Cobalt SS if you want quick.
BoneHeadOtto 3:46PM (1/09/2009)
@ AJ
yeah the Cobalt SS is a bargain but it is unfortunately a Cobalt.
What i want is xB practicality, with performance, and mileage at a $20k price. Sure there is plenty of good performance to be had in the $22-25k range. But none have the xB practicality and i like the unique look of it. (prob in the minority there though). But seeing as how the xB v6 would come in at $20k or less... the cobalt is a good 2k over that. I just saw a spy shot of the new Opel Astra 5dr. I hope they bring that with the Cobalt SS mechanicals.!!
ack154 3:44PM (1/07/2009)
Still, no love for the tC. Damn you Scion...
Reply