SEMA 2008: Scion concepts aplenty

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.

Photos copyright ©2008 Brad Wood/Weblogs, Inc.

PRESS RELEASE:

THE "UNOFFICIAL" MINI GUIDE TO SCIONS AT THE 2008 SEMA SHOW

RUTHLESS CARTELL SCION xD by DRAG CARTEL INDUSTRIES

Background
The Ruthless Cartel xD, by Jeremy Lookofsky and Drag Cartel, brings back the open air
look of the 1960s with a new twist of technology and body lines. By chopping the top
four-inches, and removing the B-pillars and a large part of the roof, this xD is SEMA
ready.

Highlights
• TRD intake and sport muffler
• Wilwood 13'' SRP hat and rotors, DynaPro four-piston radial mount caliper
• Custom cartel rear love seat
• White leather and black accents on front seats, and door, audio and trim panels


NEU-VINTAGE SCION tC by EDDIE HAHM

Background
The purpose behind this build was to bring forth a different perception of what a "tuner"
can be-a "crossover" of sorts. The style harkens back to a time when genuine
craftsman ship, "coach-building" and passion dictated what a finished build should look
like. Taking cues from the salt flat race cars of early Bonneville, World War II aircraft
inspiration that was so prevalent in post war hot rods and high dollar (Pebble Beach
anyone?) pre-war, coach-built automobiles of the 1930's, this build blends vintage with
modern mechanics onto a Scion tC. The term "tuner" has become synonymous with a
particular look, style and type of build, but this car will shatter all previous stereotypes.

Highlights
• Custom one-off O2 Motorworks race header
• Five Axis Design lip kit and grille
• 1948 Buick fender mascots
• Custom six-point roll cage with dimple-died panels, rear riveted aluminum floor
panels, one-off aluminum bomber bucket seats by Frank Wallic, seat brackets,
aluminum gauge pods, (Commune) military canvas seat cushions, upholstered door
and rear panels in military canvas, shifter arm


SCION tC by MARK ARCENAL

Background
For the Tuner Challenge, Mark Arcenal created a Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters
(DTM) themed tC that hugs the road with a B-Magic body kit. An Origin DTM wing and
louvers over the fenders make this car look ready for the European race circuit. Arcenal
has been building cars for more than 12 years.

Highlights
• TRD supercharger
• Custom Autumn Copper Paint
• Fatlace custom two-piece cast aluminum four-piston calipers
• Sparco 2 Circuit Pro Seats w/ rails and sliders, 310X260 - steering wheel, quick
release, black six point belts, fire extinguisher and mount, battery switch, pit board
and numbers, 3 LED SAT, Navigator foot rest, grip pedals, Luxor shift boot, RACING
shift knob


SCION tC by JOHN PANGILINAN

Background
John Pangilinan created a clean and aggressive widebody tC with plenty of in car
entertainment to rock SEMA.

Highlights
• Jon Sibal designed one-off custom widebody by DTM Autobody
• JLine – custom11RL3 three piece wheels – charcoal-T with semi gloss black lips
• GReddy turbo timer, Profec B-Spec II, pressure gauge and boost gauge
• Rockford Fosgate T1500 Punch mono amp, T400 Punch 4channel amp, (4) P3D212
Punch 12" shallow subs, T162S Power component system, cables, fuse holder,
distribution block, battery terminal, and circuit breaker


SCION xB by ROGUE STATUS (2008 GUMBALL RALLY WINNER)

Background
The Rogue Status xB was the winner of the 2008 Gumball Rally and brings style to
SEMA with its unique modifications.

Highlights
• 20 X 8.5 Capital Forged wheels with three-piece "London" design with black powder
coated finish and custom yellow pinstripe
• Custom moonroof
• Memphis Car Audio single channel 1100 amp (1), four channel 75x4 amp (1), 6.5"
speakers (2 sets), an amp wiring kit and capacitor
• Bomex aerodynamic kit
• Eibach suspension


DESCENDANT ULTIMATE SCION xB by CHRISTIAN RADO

Background
Chris Rado saw was potential for speed, performance, and of course style in the second
generation xB. The Descendant Ultimate xB is a track worthy vehicle and can compete
in the Modified FWD Classes in current Time Attack events. It is also a street legal show
monster with high-tech interior audio components, race electronics and hardware. This
xB has four seats, an easily removable drink cooler with an integrated rear video monitor,
plus functioning A/C, power windows, defrosters, and wipers.

Highlights
• 900Hp WORLD Racing built Brian Crower stoker 2.7 liter 2AZ-FE engine
• Descendant turbo exhaust manifold, custom turbo kit with Bullseye S362 turbo,
intake manifold and fuel system
• Chris Rado time attack spec custom widebody
• B&C Car Audio custom install and fabrication of black suede door panel inserts, trim
panels, audio panels, dash panels, and rear drink cooler video display system


SCION xB by BLAINE FONTANA

Background
Blaine Fontana turned an xB into a Raleigh-inspired multi-purpose camping utility vehicle
for the ultimate Scion road trip. For comfort and convenience this xB features a Corian
sink with stainless faucet, mini fridge, dog door, a roof rack.

Highlights
• 400 watt wind powered generator
• Custom red maple cabinets, lift, wheels, tires, front bumper with laser star lights
and hammock post, and miscellaneous camping food supplies
• Dog quarters
• External "heated" shower
• Sliding stainless gas range stove


SCION xB by KENTON PARKER

Background
Kenton Parker's interpretation of the Scion xB pays homage to the taco truck, a Los
Angeles icon. Parker's version has is a cornucopia of cool stuff and features his
favorites on the menu.

Highlights
• White aluminum skin
• Stainless kitchen
• Diamond plate floors
• Stainless sink
• Industrial stove


SLAMMER SCION xB by JEFF SOTO

Background
Jeff Soto takes Scion to a new level with the Slammer xB. This xB is ready to race with
its new aerodynamic shape which includes shaved door handles, custom aluminum wing
and parachute.

Highlights
• Two-door conversion
• Reshaped roof and shaved rails
• 6.5" raked chop top
• Blue Lexan windows
• Moon wheels


SCION xB by RAGING BULL

Background
The Raging Bull xB costs into SEMA chopped and widened with House of Kolor three
stage Kandy Purple paint with a metallic gold base.

Highlights
• Custom intake manifold, individual throttle body setup showing through hood
• Roof line chopped 4.5" and roof widened 3"
• Modified Seibon carbon fiber hood
• Webasto sunroof
• Rat rod brass knuckle shifter


SCION xBt by MVDESIGNZ

Background
MVDesignz gives the xB additional utility and show for SEMA! The Scion xBt's unique
customization features MV Designz truck conversion, custom wide body kit, front and
rear fascia, motorized tailgate

Highlights
• Matt Hotch pop up gas cap
• TRD lowering springs and Big Brake kit
• USW Forged wheels
• Alpine Electronics IVA-W505 head unit, SPS-600C and SPS-600 speakers, SWS-
1043D subwoofer, PDX-5 amplifiers