Scion auto news

IIHS tests two-door coupes, ratings mostly positive

It comes as little surprise that two-door automobiles perform differently when crash tested than their four-door stablemates, particularly in side crashes. Due to the vastly different structural makeup of coupes versus sedans, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has decided to test both two- and four-door versions of automobiles for 2009, and the results aren't always predictable.

For instance, the 2009 Ford Focus Coupe joins Volvo's 2009 C30 as a two-door vehicle that earns the agency's Top Safety Pick rating, yet the four-door Focus scored a lower Acceptable rating in previous IIHS side crash testing. Conversely, the 2009 Honda Civic flips those ratings with the newly-tested coupe garnering an Acceptable side crash score versus the sedan's Top Safety Pick rating.

While the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Scion tC and Volvo C30 all performed fairly well in both frontal and side crash testing, the tC was judged the poorest performer overall and was the only vehicle that failed to earn either a Good or Acceptable rating for rear crash protection. Check out the gallery of smashed-up coupes below and see the official press release after the break for additional details on the testing results.

Gallery: IIHS 2009 Two-Door Crash Tests

Continue reading IIHS tests two-door coupes, ratings mostly positive

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 6.29.09

	First Drive: 2010 Subaru Legacy improves commercial appeal, retains character The all-new Subaru Legacy proves you don't have to sacrifice your core values and fun-to-drive nature to create a larger, more luxurious and less fuel-hungry sedan.		Aston Martin Cygnet adds a smart set of clothes to the Toyota iQ April Fool's Day has come and gone, so we're having a hard time understanding why Aston decided to rebody a Toyota iQ with a new schnoz and a pair of fender vents. CAFE anyone?
	Leaked: Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2? Supercar purists apparently have a new Lambo to look forward to. The RWD, 550-hp Gallardo LP550-2 is coming and we've got the first official images to prove it.	Other news of import After 25 years, GM ditches NUMMI tie-up with Toyota GM officials reportedly coyly confirms Camaro Z28... but it isn't coming soon Hyundai Equus coming to the States in July 2010, priced under $60,000 Jaguar reveals all-new XF Supercharged model for North America Four versions of Fiat 500 in the U.S. by 2011, including Abarth

REPORT: Scion iQ headed for America by early 2011 with a few changes

As expected, Toyota's youthful Scion division will indeed get a version of the diminutive iQ for the North American market, possibly by either the end of 2010 as an '11 model or in early 2011 as a '12 model. According to Motor Trend, the car will cost about the same as the Yaris and get the usual modifications for the American market, such as slightly extended bumpers and recalibrated airbags.

Fortunately, the Big Wheels body kit fitted to the conceptual Scion iQ shown off at the New York Auto Show won't come to the States as standard equipment. We're not entirely sure what powerplants Toyota plans to use in the American iQ, but in other markets it's available with three engines displacing between 1.0- and 1.4-liters, and no hybrid iQ is currently planned due to cost and packaging considerations.

Interestingly, MT also reports that the Toyota FT-EV electric car concept from this year's Detroit Auto Show, based on the iQ minicar, will hit the market by 2012. At this time, the Japanese automaker may still be deciding between tried-and-true nickel metal hydride batteries or more powerful but unproven lithium ion units. Regardless, Toyota's aiming for a 50-mile range and an eight-hour recharge from a standard wall outlet.

Gallery: New York: Scion iQ Concept

Scion prices xD Release Series 2.0 from $15,920

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

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

SPOILER ALERT: 2009 Long Beach Grand Prix Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race

2009 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race at Long Beach - Click above for gallery of high-res pics

One of our favorite events at the annual Long Beach Grand Prix is the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. The slash in its name lets you know that this event features celebrities racing against real pro drivers, as well as a few buy-in drivers. In this case, each entrant gets the chance to pilot an identically prepped and lightly modified Scion tC. Basically, Toyota has removed the mufflers and added racing wheels and StopTech brakes, plus a rollcage and other safety equipment. The pros spot the celebs 30 seconds at the start of this 10-lap race, and then it's every driver for him-or-her-self.

This year's field featured some pretty big names from the entertainment and racing worlds. The race itself sometimes becomes secondary to the mere spectacle, but this year's race featured some pretty good on-track action as well. After jumping out to a huge lead, skateboarding legend and polesitter Danny Way pushed a little too hard trying to hold off the hard-charging Farnsworth Bentley. They tangled, allowing the "pro" triumverate of Al Unser Jr., Johnny Benson and Tom Tudnai through. If that last name doesn't sound familiar, that's probably because Tudnai is the president of a local Toyota dealership - but he won this event once before in 2001, elevating him to pro status.

Just behind the top three, Keanu Reeves inherited the the top celebrity title, just ahead of Ken Baker and Carlos Mencia. Raven Simone finished last after an early shunt ended her run. This means that Little Al now has seven wins at Long Beach, six in an open-wheeler. No wonder he's known as "King of the Beach" in these parts. There's a full rundown after the jump and a gallery available by clicking on any image here.

Gallery: 2009 Toyota Pro/Celeb Race at Long Beach GP

Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio / Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: 2009 Long Beach Grand Prix Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race

Toyota A-BAT will remain a concept... for now

Bob Carter, Toyota Motor Sales USA's vice president and general manager, told our man Mike from PickupTrucks.com that the Toyota A-BAT is on indefinite hold. According to Carter, "We have a lot of top priorities right now, and A-BAT isn't one of them."

Although news of the A-BAT's imminent arrival was circulating as early as February, Toyota's decision to put the project on hold doesn't come as a surprise. With auto sales down overall - and pick-ups being hit particularly hard in the last year - the business case for a compact, hybrid truck would be hard to justify.

Originally, it was assumed the A-BAT would be sold as a Scion, but with the "youth" brand's renewed focus on smaller vehicles (ala the Scion iQ concept that debuted at the New York Auto Show), a pick-up would be in stark contrast to the rest of the line-up.

"The market has changed dramatically over the last 12 months." Carter told Pickuptrucks.com, "We always keep reprioritizing - under good economic or recessionary times - what our planning is. [For now, the A-BAT is] on the shelf."

Gallery: Detroit 2008: Toyota A-BAT Concept

Tanner Foust's V8 RWD Scion tC Formula Drift car unveiled

While all eyes were on Scion unveiling its take on the Toyota iQ city car at the New York Auto Show, the youth-oriented Toyota division quietly let slip a batch of photos of its latest challenger for the Formula Drift championship. But if these photos are any indication, it'll be the last time this insanely modified Scion tC will be doing anything quietly.

Although the drift car you see here looks like a tC, underneath it's anything but... heck, it doesn't even use the tC's floorplan, it's so heavily modified. As previewed last week on video, this latest Scion drifter, prepared by drag racing and drift veteran Stephan Papadakis of Advanced Engine Management (AEM), packs a V8 courtesy of Toyota's NASCAR racing program, pumping 650 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque through a four-speed shifter to the rear wheels. Of course, there's only one driftsmith who could handle this much machine, and that's Tanner Foust.

The two-time defending Formula D champion - who has some extra time on his lightning-quick hands since Top Gear USA got canceled - ditches the Nissan Z he's been fielding the last few years in favor of this modified Scion, and takes his sponsor Rockstar Energy Drink along with him. The car debuted this weekend at the Formula D season opener in Long Beach, California, where Foust finished third and our man Drew Phillips was on hand to catch it in his lens. Check out the images in the pair of hi-res gallery below.

Gallery: 2009 Formula D AEM/Rockstar Scion tC

Gallery: Tanner Foust's AEM/Rockstar Scion tC

Live photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc

New York 2009: The Scion iQ goes Big Wheels!

To no ones surprise, Toyota unveiled the Scion iQ concept today at the New York Auto Show. Ever since the iQ debuted in Europe last year, the expectation has been that Toyota would sell the micro compact car as a Scion here in the U.S. to compete against the Smart ForTwo. What surprised us were the modifications made to the iQ for its debut in the States. In keeping with the customization culture that is rampant among Scion owners, the concept features widely flared fenders and super-size 18-inch wheels.

Like the current production model, the concept iQ features 3+1 seating with a very compact air conditioning unit that fascilitates an asymmetrical dashboard. This allows the front passenger seat to slide forward so that one adult can fit in the back. The seat behind the driver, however, is strictly for the legless. One new innovation in the iQ is a rear window airbag that provides protection to rear seat passengers whose heads are butted up against the rear glass. The concept also features lots of special lighting and a pop-up 10-inch LCD embedded in the dash.

Scion is just evaluating the iQ for U.S. introduction, but we would be shocked not to see it sold here soon.

Gallery: New York: Scion iQ Concept

Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading New York 2009: The Scion iQ goes Big Wheels!

VIDEO: Rockstar/AEM's NASCAR V8-powered Scion tC drift car gets unboxed

Here are two things that don't come to mind when you think of Scion: rear-wheel drive and V8 power. But that's exactly what the Rockstar/AEM crew have created with the Formula D-bound Scion tC. Joe Gibbs, TRD and Papadakis Racing put in the wrench time on the new racer and underhood is a V8 pulled from Toyota's NASCAR efforts and retuned with a drift-friendly powerband. Most of the details are still shrouded in mystery, but the noise emanating from the tC's exhaust is more than enough to get us interested. Check out a brief interview with the Steph and a "spy video" of it testing after the break.

Continue reading VIDEO: Rockstar/AEM's NASCAR V8-powered Scion tC drift car gets unboxed

Spy Shot?: Scion iQ concept caught before New York unveiling