2011′s tC comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with variable valve timing and a variable intake manifold. That little puppy lets off 180 horsepower at 3200 rpm. With the larger engine up 0.1 liters, tC can put out 18 more hp and 11 pound-feet over the 2010 edition. And tC can boost to 60 mph in about 7.6 seconds manual, 8.3 seconds with the automatic. Fuel economy ratings are estimated about 23/31 city & highway.

Inside, the Scion tC has a shorter roofline, but wider, more comfortable seating. The dash seems upgraded too, with enough lights and bleeps to make you feel like Han Solo piloting the Falcon to light speed. You have the option of steering wheel mounted controls, XM radio, in-dash nav and entertainment system.

Acceleration in the 2011 tC is reported to be smooth, in both manual and automatic versions. With a starting price hovering around $19,000 you might never expect this much comfort and speed. But Scion brings it home again with their sporty tC. We can’t wait to take it for another test drive!

Source: Motor Authority

In what we’re sure is an extremely important feature for potential iQ customers, the trunk can fit two golf bags when the seats are folded down. In an effort to overcome what will surely be lots of safety concerns about such a small vehicle, the iQ will be fitted as standard with 10 airbags. Motivation comes courtesy of a 90 HP, 1.3-liter engine.

The Source: Jalopnik

What we really like talking about, and looking at, is the updated interior in 2011′s Scion xB: with center console receiving a sliding armrest; the instrument cluster tweaked to improve readability; and the steering column now incorporates tilt and telescoping functions. Under the hood – 2011′s xB contains a 158 horse power, 2.4-liter engine, which can be mated either to a five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic.

Scion xB pricing will rise by approximately $150, so expect to pay base $17,340 and automatic-equipped cars, $18,290. Look for 2011′s xB to hit Scion dealerships later this March.

The Source: Auto Mag

2010′s Chicago Auto Show is one of the largest car events in North America – so it’s the perfect place to view Scion’s tC & the tC Release Series. “Release” is a 6-speed manual RS 6.0 starting at $19,290 – which includes $670 in destination fees; an automatic adds $800 to the sticker.

tC Release Series features blue exterior with black racing stripes, black fabric and blue highlights, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with blue stitching. Alpine supplies the 200-watt audio and navigation system, with a 4.3-inch touch screen, USB connectivity, RCA outputs, and HD radio. RS 6.0 is due to hit dealers in March. But for now, when an Auto Show comes to your town, check it – you may get a chance to test a Scion tC.

2010 Scion tC Specs:
Price – 17,800 – 19,290

Fuel Economy
21 city / 29 highway

Base Engine
161-horsepower L4

Transmission
Automatic, Manual

Drivetrains
Front Wheel Drive

The Source: AutoMag

The exterior design of the xB RS 7.0 remains similar to the rolling box of previous xB’s. There are plenty of hot colors and additional design features like spoilers and different grills that can be purchased for your Scion – they are the king of personalized vehicles after all. Scion is adding on their center-exit exhaust system with a TRD sport muffler. The new xB is lowered on TRD springs. Inside, passengers will gawk at silver and purple accents throughout, and a numbered stainless steel badge too.

Arriving in dealerships this month, only 2000 of these purple people-movers will be produced. Prices starts at $18,990 with the five-speed manual—a $2500 jump over the base xB—or $19,940 with the four-speed automatic… and another $320 if you want the optional rear spoiler.

The Bowls project truck is part of this year’s ‘Scion xB Tuner Challenge’ that pits three designers, including Leung, against each other to build the best customized xB for SEMA. Each was given a car to modify, with $10,000 cash awarded for the best vehicle.

For inspiration, Leung took design cues from a 1970 Toyota Crown pickup truck, which was never sold in the U.S. The feel of the vehicle is ’70s Southern California, and Bowls has incorporated several trick elements into the project. Bowls LA partnered with Advanced Design Fabrication to convert the xB from humble city people mover into a pickup. First, they lengthened its wheelbase to accommodate a matching bike that will sit in its cargo box.

On the outside, the truck’s front end has been reworked with a custom grille and Five Axis Design lip kit. Mooneyes bullet fender mirrors sit forward on the fenders, like a Japanese domestic car. Similar to the Tundra Hot Rod, the Bowls xB rolls on 20-inch full moon wheels and its bed is finished with wood.

Bowls LA Scion xB project truck interior – Inside, ADF fabricated a complete custom interior with a roll cage, a bench seat and Simpson race harnesses.

There’s a reason for the go fast kit inside the cabin. The xB’s engine has been tweaked with an AEM cold air intake, performance parts from Brian Crower and a Nitrous Oxide injection system. The five-speed manual transmission has been strengthened with a Toyota Racing Development heavy-duty clutch and to help lay all that power to the road, there’s a TRD limited-slip diff. TRD has also donated a front strut tower brace and rear sway bar that work with a digital air ride kit from Air Lift.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper SEMA tuner vehicle without audio enhancements. Pioneer has provided a double-din DVD multimedia receiver with a 7-inch widescreen display, two component speaker sets, two 12-inch shallow mount subwoofers, two mono amplifiers and two 4-channel amps. ADF created the housing and racks for the entertainment system.

via pickuptrucks.com

Automotive News reported late yesterday that, at a dealer meeting in Las Vegas on Tuesday and Wednesday, Toyota executives said the name Prius would be attached to “a family of models” using similar hybrid power trains, says veteran Toyota dealer Earl Stewart. Toyota will have a range of Prius hybrid models “but Prius won’t be a separate sub-brand like Scion,” Stewart says.

Scion has it’s iQ coming out as a small city car, rivaling the Smart fortwo. But as “green” as iQ is it still runs on regular unleaded gasoline.

You can see a full-sized copy of the ad produced by ATTIK of San Francisco, CA. We know there is only so much one can pull off with a car ad these days. And as we do enjoy the magazine style layout of “Streak” – I guess we just wanted a little more out of Scion. Picture via adsoftheworld.