Autoblog

SEMA 2009: A quintet of concept Scions leaves us hungry for more

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:22:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, SEMA Show, Coupe, Performance, Work, Hatchback, Scion, Specialty

2009 SEMA Scion xB DJ 2.0 Concept by Five Axis - Click above for high-res image gallery

Just like last year, Scion had a group of tuners develop a whole range of models for SEMA 2009. Clustered in one corner of the Central Hall, the group included the Brandon Leung pickup and 0-60 Rally xD we showed you earlier, as well as another handful of tricked out Toyota lites.

First up was the Epic Cartel tC, the only tC in the group and a unique take on open-air motoring and completes what they are calling the Trilogy/Cartel Open Air Collection.

Next up was the xB DJ 2.0 by Five Axis (above). With its widened track and massive contrasting wheel arches it looked like it was ready for some Touring Car duty, but the real purpose was what lay inside: A full mobile DJ set-up. Sadly, it was locked up when we went by for a peek.

Eneri Abillar did up an xB for the xB Tuner Challenge, with a fairly straightforward tuner look and some blazing red-orange paint. Suspension, brakes and engine upgrades made this a runner too.

It was similar to the xB done by Peter Colello, although his was blue, didn't have the Greddy turbo, opting for a BullsEye Power T04B instead. The inside was a wild mix of alcantara, speakers, roll cage and gauges.

The one we had wanted to see the most, however, was the Scion xD by MV Designz. When we saw the name of it in the preview, we had hoped we'd finally get to taste the elusive, underground, Korean BBQ from Kogi. When closed up, the xD looks a lot like any other Scion runabout. When opened, it transforms into a mobile kitchen, complete with fridge, sink, cutting board and grill! Sadly, it was closed for business when we stopped by so no Kogi once again. We promise to check back regularly though.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: The Scions of SEMA

SEMA 2009: A quintet of concept Scions leaves us hungry for more originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: 0-60 takes the Scion xD rallying

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:20:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Motorsports, SEMA Show, Performance, Hatchback, Scion, Off-Road

0-60 Magazine/Sparco Scion xD Rally car - Click above for high-res image gallery

Screw convention! Why do you have to build a rally car out of something sporty? Or powerful? Or off-road-worthy? According to 0-60 magazine at least, you don't have to. You can build a rally car out of just about anything. Take this Scion xD for instance. It's probably among the last cars you'd picture taking off-road, but seeing what it looks like after 0-60 and Sparco got their mitts on it, you might want to reconsider. They added a ton of safety gear, enough lights to rival the nearby Luxor's candlepower, and basically just butched it up enough to make it look less like... well, an econobox. It should be a blast to drive. Maybe we'll try to find ourselves an Irish copilot and take it out for a spin.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: 0-60 Scion xD Rally Car

SEMA 2009: 0-60 takes the Scion xD rallying originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scion brand finally headed to Canada next September

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:18:00 EST

Filed under: Scion, Toyota, Canada

It's official: Scion is headed to the land of Bob and Doug. Toyota's sub-brand will arrive in 45 dealerships in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver ten months from now, in September 2010. Scion's full model range will be offered -- xB, xD, and tC -- and dealers will present them in a "store within a store" concept, which makes it sound like passwords, burlesque, and moonshine will be involved.

To give you Canuck Scion mavens something to do for the next eleven months, there's a Canadian Scion website. It's a little barren right now, but after you take a quick survey it'll let you know things like the Scion badge was "created to symbolize non-conformity, authenticity and personal style." And then there are links to other Scion content, such as an interview with Motörhead, because what Scion owner doesn't love Lemmy? Canadians rejoice. Eh. Hat tip to Luc!

[Source: Auto123]

Scion brand finally headed to Canada next September originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota recalls 95,700 vehicles over cold weather braking concern

Chris Shunk — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:20:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Scion, Toyota

2009 Toyota Matrix -Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota has begun working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to recall 95,700 vehicles with a brake issue that could lead to poor stopping at low temperatures. The recall involves 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corolla and Matrix models and 2008-2009 Scion xD models with the 1.8-liter engine, and only customers in 19 cold weather states are eligible for the recall.

Toyota says the problem may arise when condensed moisture from the positive crankcase ventilation port seeps into the brake system vacuum port and freezes. As ice accumulates, the brake vacuum port could plug up and "power assist to the brakes would gradually decrease and lead to lengthened vehicle stopping distances." That doesn't sound good. Owners of affected vehicles will soon receive a notice from Toyota, followed by instructions to take the vehicle to a Toyota dealership for no-cost repairs. Dealer technicians will install a newly designed intake air connector that relocates the brake system vacuum port, a one-hour procedure.

While it's definitely a good thing that Toyota caught this issue as soon as it did, we have a bit of an issue with the fact that the recall is only for cold weather states. It's not like a Corolla or Matrix can't cross state lines during winter, and nobody deserves to be met with brakesicles when they try to stop. Hit the jump to pour over Toyota's press release.

Gallery: 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota recalls 95,700 vehicles over cold weather braking concern

Toyota recalls 95,700 vehicles over cold weather braking concern originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Forza Motorsport 3 celebrates past and present of JDM in new screenshots

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Toys/Games

Forza Motorsport 3 Screenshot - click above image for high-res gallery

More and more folks are slowly but surely coming to the realization that old school Japanese metal is pretty cool. Stylish, too. For instance, have you ever noticed how much a Toyota Celica Supra looks like a Lamborghini Jarama? Or that a first generation Miata is a dead ringer for Lotus Elan? Before you start screaming about the Japanese being styling thieves, let's remember two things.

As Woody Allen has said, "Be original, don't steal. But if you do, steal from the best." The other is that if you counted up all the running Jaramas and Elans on the world, you'd have a very, very small number. So if not for the Japanese, these shapes would be lost. Then, of course, you have cars like the Datsun 510, a design that looks even sharper now than it did forty years ago -- especially the sedan. And then there's the 240Z, a true icon.

In recognition of this, the brains behind Forza Motorsport 3 are including a bunch of vintage JDM rides in their upcoming XBox racing game that's on schedule to be released this October. Including some racers like the 1997 Nissan Motorsports R390, a homologated Le Mans car, meaning two street examples exist, and they can hit 60 mph in 3.3. seconds, run the quarter in 11 seconds flat and top out at 220 mph. While we think 99% of the cars Forza's including are brillinat, we don't quite get the Scion xD. Thanks for the tip, Brandon!

Gallery: Forza 3 Japanese Screen Shots

[Source: Forza Motorsport]

Forza Motorsport 3 celebrates past and present of JDM in new screenshots originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scion prices xD Release Series 2.0 from $15,920

Chris Shunk — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Scion, Specialty

2009 Scion xD Release Series 2.0 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Scion has a habit of releasing an abundance of special edition models in its quirky little lineup, and the new xD Release Series 2.0 is the latest example. xD Release Series 1.0 included a $1,995 premium over the $14,550 tag on a base xD, but version 2.0 is a bit more affordable at $15,920.

For your hard-earned extra $1,270, you get a more tech-centric xD. The centerpiece of this special edition Scion is a touch screen Pioneer Audio Visual Navigation (AVN) system that features flash memory, voice recognition, and Bluetooth capability. The Pioneer nav system also has slots for USB devices and an SD card, as well as iPod connectivity. The ultra-trick AVN also includes rear view camera and satellite radio functionality. For the ultimate in tuning pleasure, the 5.8 inch LCD screen can also be customized in one of 32,000 colors.

Toyota only plans to build 1,600 examples of Release Series 2.0, and it a brace of cues to differentiate it from the standard Scion. For starters, all units will be painted in Electric Wasabi green exterior paint. The interior is differentiated with special edition seats with silver accent fabric. The interior also features four-in-one interior lights (whatever those are), and Series 2.0-branded door sills illuminated with white back lighting.

We kinda like the tech package on the xD Release Series 2.0, and the interior looks nicely differentiated. We do, however, have to take umbrage with the "special" wheel covers. It's 2009, how about some nice aluminum wheels? We know that a range of alloys are available as dealer-installed extras, but we can't help but think that it still looks odd as-is. Hit the jump to view the Scion press release, and check out high-res images of the newest xD variant by clicking on the gallery below.

Gallery: Scion xD Series 2.0

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Scion prices xD Release Series 2.0 from $15,920

Scion prices xD Release Series 2.0 from $15,920 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: Scion concepts aplenty

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Tuners, Scion

Click above for high-res gallery of the Scion SEMA cars

This is Scion's fifth year as a SEMA attendee, and it's arguably their best. Being the younger, hipper, tunier Toyota it makes sense they show up here with six concepts to spark customers' imaginations. To that end, they've brought several fun and outrageous customs from designers such as Mark Arcenal, Eddie Hahm (above), Drag Cartel, John Pangilinan, Rogue Status, MV Designz, Raging Bull, Blaine Fontana, Kenton Parker, Jeff Soto, and Christian Rado.

There are three xBs, an xD and a few tCs in the official booth alone. Scion distributed three tCs to customizers for the 2008 Scion Tuner Challenge, with the winner to be announced during SEMA. Our absolute favorite is the one done up by Eddie Hahm of "Fast Eddie's Garage" fame. He took it retro and created an homage to a time when hot rodding meant more than mounting dubs and a bodykit. Fatlace founder Mark Arcenal dreamt up a DTM racer, while John Pangilinan made an even more butch looking tC with his widebody design. Personally, we really enjoyed the most elaborately detailed model, the Ruthless Cartell xD with its completely chopped roof, but it's strictly for show. The trucklet xDt was pretty novel too. Check out the gallery and pick out your favorite. There's a full rundown of each after the jump and lots of pics of most of them in the gallery.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Scion concepts

Gallery: Scion at SEMA 2008

Continue reading SEMA 2008: Scion concepts aplenty

SEMA 2008: Scion concepts aplenty originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA Preview: Scion bringing a six pack

Dan Roth — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Tuners, Scion

Click above for galler of all six Scion SEMA cars

Scion's been a perennial SEMA attendee for the last five years, with customization being a central tenet of the brand. This year, the cool-seeking Toyota nameplate is bringing a sextet of vehicles, three each of tCs and xBs, all customized. The xBs were sent out to customizers to get thematic treatments. The three art cars embody different ideas; one's a camper in the vein of Westfalia Volkswagens, another's been chopped and dropped to create a lakebed hot rod, while our favorite is an ersatz Roach Coach. Blaine Fontana was responsible for the camper conversion, while Jeff Soto whipped up the salt flats car, and Kenton Parker decided to celebrate the xB's non-curvy shape with the foodservice conversion.

Bonneville speed trial cars serve as inspiration for one of the customized tCs, as well. Scion distributed three tCs to customizers for the 2008 Scion Tuner Challenge, with the winner to be announced during SEMA. Eddie Hahm of "Fast Eddies Garage" fame took it retro and created an homage to a time when hot rodding meant more than mounting dubs and a bodykit. Fatlace founder Mark Arcenal dreamt up a DTM racer, while John Pangilinan made an even more butch looking tC with his widebody design. These six cars are sure to be just some of the Scions at SEMA. Indeed, there will be several other custom Scion models at the brand's booth, like an xD with its top chopped. We'd be down with some of these customs, even if underneath it all, they're still Scions.

Gallery: Scion at SEMA 2008

[Source: helloscion]

SEMA Preview: Scion bringing a six pack originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit Diversion: The Scion xD toy crane

Alex Nunez — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Etc., Hatchback, Scion, Toys/Games

Click image to see the Five Axis Scion xD Toy Crane in action

Those of you who attend your local auto show every year know that the Scion booth is always loaded with free swag for showgoers. This year, in addition to the free goodies at the desk (knit beanies, a DJ mix CD), we noticed a line of hacks behind what looks like an xD tuned by Five Axis. A closer look reveals why people are lining up: that's no regular xD, it's a toy crane! The car is literally filled with plush tC, xD, and xB replicas. Best of all, it's free and the claw is modified so that you have to be profoundly untalented to not come out a winner every time. Check out the gallery below to see how free toys happen over at the Scion booth. The photos run in order, so start with number 1 and click through.

Gallery: Detroit 2008: Scion xD Toy Crane

Detroit Diversion: The Scion xD toy crane originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IIHS wrecks new Scion xD. Rates average, good

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 16:27:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Hatchback, Scion

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did its worst to the new Scion xD, and after performing both the frontal offset test and a side impact test with the standard front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat torso airbags, the xD came away with ratings from "good" to "average."

On the frontal offset crash, the IIHS found that the dummy's movement was well controlled, although the rebound caused its head to strike the roof rail. The possibility of injury to the neck and chest garnered an "average" rating, while the safety cage, foot protection and restraint system were all rated as "good."

The side impact test rated the Scion xD as "good" all around, save an "average" rating for the structure/safety cage portion. Although there's no IIHS data for the Scion xA - the model the xD replaced - NHTSA gave the old model four out of five stars.

[Source: IIHS]

IIHS wrecks new Scion xD. Rates average, good originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Nov 2007 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2007: Scion spirit at SEMA

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Tuners, Scion

Click the image above to view a couple of Scion's SEMA entries.

"These are our people!" has always been Scion's mantra at SEMA. Car customization and personalization is the cornerstone of Toyota's "youth"branded division, despite the number of retirees buying up xBs to shuffle between the doctor's office and the Elk's Lodge.

While there were a number of Scions adorning the show floor, the automaker's own booth only had a couple of vehicles worthy of our attention... and your time.

Two models, an xB and an xD, both featured chopped roofs and plenty of show-only go-fast bits. The latter, built by Team Koshak, featured a wet injection Nitrous Express system, Magnaflow exhaust, custom 19-inch rollers, and an Extreme Dimension body kit swathed in Samurai Green Tea paint. Inside, it's all about eye-grabbing accouterments, sometime at the expense of good taste. While the Status Racing seats blend a bit of functionality with an attractive design, the blue and green plaid upholstery apes the Mk V GTI in the worst possible way. You can check out the rest of Team Koshak's mods on their display plaque and peruse the gallery below to see both vehicles at the Scion stand.

Gallery: Scion at SEMA

SEMA 2007: Scion spirit at SEMA originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's the "TRD-ist" ist around

Alex Nunez — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 16:06:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Scion, Toyota

Click image for gallery

The oddly-named JDM Toyota ist was formally introduced this week, and as was the case with the Toyota Blade Master, another new arrival in Japan's Toyota stores, a range of TRD accessories was announced very shortly thereafter. They do the job of dressing up the rather bland ist, which is Japan's version of the USDM Scion xD.

Naturally, there's a replacement grille, body kit, and new wheels. The look can be further augmented with branded scuff plates, TRD Sportivo suspension parts, and a TRD muffler. Hell, TRD even offers a red engine start button. The US-market Scions have always been pushed as being very customization-friendly, and really, it's no different for the JDM cars. The available accessories do a nice job of dressing things up.

[Source: Toyota via Carview]

Gallery: TRD Accessories for the Toyota ist

It's the "TRD-ist" ist around originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Aug 2007 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scion xD gets stickered at $14,550*

John Neff — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 16:06:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hatchback, Scion

Don't forget about the destination charges! Those are an additional $620.

click on the above image to view more pics of the 2008 Scion xD

Scion has come out today and priced its new entry-level xD with an MSRP of $14,550 for one with a manual tranny and $15,350 for one with an automatic. The base MSRP of the outgoing xA is $12,780, so anyone interested in getting into a Scion as cheaply as possible better do so now, because the entry fee will be going up by $1,770 as soon as the new xD arrives. To be fair, the xD looks to be a significantly better car than the anemic xA. Whereas the xA came with a 103-hp (revised 2006 SAE number) 1.5L motor, the xD gets a four-cylinder with .3L more displacement, 25 more horsepower and variable valve timing. With a manual, the new engine will return 27 mpg city/33 mpg highway, which is average though not exceptional fuel economy for a car this size.

Read all the marketing mumbo jumbo on the new xD in the press release after the jump. Pricing can be found in the second last to paragraph, though no options were priced with the car at this time. You can also revisit the xD's debut in Chicago last February by flipping through the gallery below.

[Source: Toyota]

Gallery: 2008 Scion xD

Continue reading Scion xD gets stickered at $14,550*

Scion xD gets stickered at $14,550* originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jul 2007 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scion may break promise to itself, add fourth model

John Neff — Fri, 25 May 2007 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, Coupe, Budget, Hatchback, Scion, Toyota

When Toyota's youth brand was born, there was an unwritten rule that it wouldn't grow beyond three models. Years later, Scion is an unqualified success having sold 170,000 units of the xA, xB and tC last year, which has Toyota execs wondering if just a few more units could be sold with a fourth model. The Car Connection got Scion's corporate manager Steve Haag to admit his brand does need to expand. Haag told TCC, "We have to offer more products, (though) we want to remain small."

Though a fourth vehicle, if produced, would still have to be an entry-level model to be called a Scion, Haag hinted that it would likely be something bigger and more expensive than what Scion currently offers. Haag also acknowledged that despite the green image of parent company Toyota, Scion models aren't fuel efficient enough to attract environmentally conscious car shoppers. As such, Scion could get its own hybrid as a fourth model.

The question is can Scion sell 200,000 units a year with its current three-model lineup, which includes the redesigned xB, all-new xD and tC, or will a fourth be needed to break through the ceiling? What type of model do you think Scion should sell next, or should it nix a fourth car and concentrate on improving the three it currently sells?

[Source: TCC]

Continue reading Scion may break promise to itself, add fourth model

Scion may break promise to itself, add fourth model originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 May 2007 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SPY REPORT: Inside Scion's big Miami Beach product reveal

Alex Nunez — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 10:17:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Scion

This weekend, Scion flew 328 owners to Miami Beach, which served as the backdrop for an invitation-only reveal of the replacement for the xA and the brand-new xB. The event happened Friday night at the Miami Beach Convention Center (if you go to the CC's website, you'll see that 12/15 was booked for a "private event"), and we're fortunate enough to bring you a full report on the goings-on from an attendee.

Sorry folks, there are no pictures to show you, as cameras and phones were strictly prohibited, but our spy gave us very detailed descriptions of the cars that were revealed. Want to know more? Follow the jump for the skinny.

Continue reading SPY REPORT: Inside Scion's big Miami Beach product reveal

SPY REPORT: Inside Scion's big Miami Beach product reveal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Dec 2006 10:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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