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.

Power will likely be provided by Toyota’s 67 bhp 1.0-liter petrol engine as well as the recently introduced 1.33-liter dual VVT-i with 98 bhp and 125 Nm of torque. In the future, the car could be equipped with a battery-electric powertrain like the one featured on the iQ-based Toyota FT-EV Concept. The Five Axis bodykit and jumbo wheels seen on the iQ concept will undoubtedly be left off the options chart.

Look for the Scion iQ in late 2010 as a 2011 model or maybe in early 2011.

Source: WorldCarFans

“Toyota and Scion vehicles are some of the most popular vehicles among young adults, but more than that, they serve as a dependable way for new graduates to get to new jobs and start their careers,” said Mike Groff, TFS Group Vice President of Sales, Product and Marketing. “We recognize it’s a tough time to be entering this economy, so we hope this $1,000 rebate, which can be coupled with other incentives, saves these new grads some money and gets them going on the right path.”

Qualified college graduates receiving the $1,000 rebate are also eligible for the College Graduate Finance Program (applicable for all new Toyota/Lexus/Scion models) which offers a highly competitive APR/lease and special incentives such as:

* No money down when financing and no monthly payments for the first 90 days when leasing
* Security deposit waiver for lease
* Complimentary roadside assistance for one year

To find a dealer or to learn more, visit www.toyotafinancial.com/collegegrad or www.scion.com/college.

The College Rebate Program for Toyota vehicles ends March 31, 2010 and for Scion vehicles, the program ends Sept. 30, 2009 and is available to qualified customers who graduated within the last two years, or are about to graduate within the next six months.

How to Qualify: You must meet all of these conditions:

Get that degree! To take advantage of the program you must:

* Have graduated from an accredited four-year college, university, or registered nursing degree program during the last two years or graduate from such a school/program within the next six months, or
* Have graduated from an accredited two-year college during the last two years, or
* Be enrolled in an accredited graduate degree program or have received a degree from an accredited graduate program during the last two years, or
* Have graduated during the last two years from the two-year Toyota Technical Education Network (T-TEN) Program or any other two-year post secondary automotive program accredited by the NATEF, or
* Have completed an electrician apprenticeship/cert. program during the last two years through NJATC and IBEW.

Sources: From Scion PR via Scionnews.net

That’s right kids, the Scion tC, the 21st century IROC, will come into 2010 with a base price of $17,000 – same as the 2009 model. You can check out 2010’s tC at your local Toyota/Scion dealership now!

The base manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the tC is $17,000 when equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, and $17,800 for the four-speed automatic. The tC receives one new exterior color, Nautical Blue Metallic, which replaces Blue Ribbon Metallic.

The tC comes mono-spec with a generous list of standard features including 17-inch alloy wheels; panorama moonroof; reclining and 60/40-split rear seats; 160-watt maximum output Pioneer AM/FM/CD audio system with iPod connectivity; Pioneer subwoofer; side mirrors with turn indicators; engine immobilizer; driver’s seat with adjustable height and seat bottom angle; power steering, windows, door locks and mirrors; cruise control; remote keyless entry; air conditioning; four-wheel anti-lock brakes with electronic brake assist; dual front passenger airbags; front seat-mounted side airbags; front and rear side curtain airbags; driver’s knee airbag; and tilt steering wheel with audio controls.

Thanks to Scion News dot Net for the heads up!