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

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!

Pricing should start at $19,300, which is roughly $2,300 more over the standard tC. Check out full details in Scion’s official Press Release below.

SCION ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR tC RELEASE SERIES 5.0 – TO BE DISPLAYED AT THE 2009 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

Scion, of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., announced today that the only limited-production tC for 2009, the tC Release Series 5.0 (tC RS 5.0), will have a Toyota Racing Development (TRD) theme and be available at dealer showrooms in March. The 2009 tC RS 5.0 will be on display in the Scion space at the Chicago Auto Show, February 11-22, for media and public days.

The 2009 tC RS 5.0 features gloss black exterior paint and numerous performance products from TRD. TRD edition 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, in matte black with red trim, and red TRD lowering springs provide this tC with its menacing presence. For additional stability when cornering, the tC is fitted with a red TRD rear sway bar. A TRD sport muffler gives the tC RS 5.0 an aggressive sound signature, while a TRD exterior badge marks the car. A black rear lip spoiler will also be available.

The TRD theme is continued inside with a black leather steering wheel featuring red stitching, black seats with red accents and floor mats with the TRD logo. The tC RS 5.0 is also equipped with a cargo mat. Individually numbered badging completes the uniqueness of this vehicle.

No more than 2,000 units of the tC Release Series 5.0 will be built. The tC RS 5.0 model will carry a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $2,300 over the base price of the tC. The base MSRP for the standard tC with a manual transmission is $17,000, while the standard tC with an automatic transmission model carries a MSRP of $17,800. The available black spoiler has a MSRP of $285, not including installation.

The delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee for all Scion models is $670 and is not included in the MSRP. DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

Inside, the tC receives a deep orange combination meter on the instrument panel, silver-colored accents on the door assist grips and center cluster, updated seat fabric and Pioneer subwoofer.

Azure Pearl and Black Cherry Pearl exterior colors were replaced with Sizzling Crimson Mica and Wave Line Pearl.

Standard iPod Connectivity
Apple iPod connectivity is standard across the Scion lineup for 2008. Scion’s standard 160-watt maximum output Pioneer AM/FM/CD audio system features a head unit with iPod control. This head unit integrates track, artist and album information from the iPod into a one-line display on the head unit’s screen. Connectivity is achieved by simply plugging the iPod into a port via a connector cable, providing outstanding sound quality through the car’s stereo system and constant power to the iPod. Music is controlled through the head unit and steering wheel audio controls. A standard mini-jack port also allows users to listen to their portable music collection through the tC’s Pioneer speakers.

Since many Scion customers add in-car entertainment systems to their vehicle, the tC comes standard with rear head unit outputs allowing for the addition of external amps to boost power to the front and rear speakers, and subwoofers.

The tC’s optional premium audio system adds one more feature to the standard head unit, the ability to download “skins” to play on the LCD faceplate. Customers can download images, four-second video clips and eight-second movies from Pioneer’s website. In addition, Pioneer software allows customers to burn their own images and movies onto a CD and upload them onto the available head unit.

Both the standard and premium head units retain key Scion audio system features such as Scion Sound Processing (SSP) where listeners can choose from three pre-set equalizer settings, satellite radio compatibility, a user-customizable welcome screen, MP3 and WMA capability, Automatic Sound Leveling (ASL) and Sound Retouch Technology (SRT), which provides clearer CD sound quality. Both systems will also feature six speakers: two tweeters and speakers in each door panel.

Advanced Safety
Like all 2008 Scions, the tC comes standard with front dual stage airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags, tire pressure monitor system, headrests, three-point seatbelts in all five seating positions and a first aid kit. The tC also features a driver’s knee airbag.

Sporty Package
The tC’s roominess and ride comfort can be attributed to its 106.3-inch wheelbase and 69.1-inch wide stance. In addition the tC has four-wheel independent suspension, strut-type front suspension and double-wishbone rear suspension, for responsive handling.

A four-wheel disc brake system is standard on the tC. A two-step brake booster increases power assist in proportion to pedal force to provide precise pedal feel. The tC comes equipped with standard anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD). ABS helps to prevent the wheels from locking during severe braking maneuvers, and EBD monitors differences in front- and rear-wheel speeds and distributes optimal braking force to all four wheels.

Fun-To-Drive Performance
The tC is powered by a 2.4-liter double overhead-cam four cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i). This CARB-certified Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) produces 161 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 162-lb.ft. of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. The tC features a five-speed manual transmission or an available electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission.

Fully Equipped
All Scion models come well-equipped in a “mono spec” trim. The tC offers full standard equipment so the customer only needs to choose between manual or automatic transmissions and vehicle color.

Standard features include the panorama glass power moonroof (a first in this segment), air conditioning, cruise control, exterior mirrors with integrated turn signal lights, power door locks and mirrors, rear cargo tonneau cover, auto up/down power windows with jam protection, in-key remote keyless entry, rolling-code engine immobilizer security system, auto-off headlamps, electronic hatch release, chrome-plated exhaust tip and a unique audio unit cover.

All Scion models come with complimentary factory-recommended maintenance services for the first 5,000 mile and 10,000 mile intervals, to be performed by an authorized Scion or Toyota dealership.

The standard tC model is available in a choice of seven colors: Flint Mica, Super White, Black Sand Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Sizzling Crimson Mica, Wave Line Pearl and Nautical Blue Metallic. Exterior colors are complemented by a high-quality dark charcoal fabric interior in the standard tC model.

Blank Canvas
Toyota Racing Development (TRD) offers many parts to enhance tC performance, including performance suspension kits, a high-performance clutch, quick shifter, leather-wrapped shift knob and sequential shift light kit.

It’s easy for customers to take the tC to the next level with Scion Genuine Accessories. Customers can change the tC’s look with the approximately 40 available accessories including EMX Super seven-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli PZero Nero P255/40Z R18 all-season tires, polished stainless steel muffler, color-keyed ground effects and a rear lip spoiler. The Optomize accessory program, available at Scion dealers, also offers customers the convenience of cutting-edge, well-known name-brand accessories.

For those who really want to express their creativity, Scion also offers the tC Spec Package model aimed at the tuner segment with a lower price point than the standard model. Since wheel changes are so popular in the tuner community, the tC Spec Package model comes standard with steel wheels, P205/55 R16 tires and seven-spoke wheel covers. The tC Spec Package also features a fixed glass panorama roof, unique upholstery, a urethane steering wheel, and a grille and headlight garnish with special treatment. The color pallet for this model includes Super White, Flint Mica, Black Sand Pearl and Classic Silver metallic, compared to the standard model’s seven colors.

Comfort and Class
A Scion would not be complete without unexpected utility and content for its class. The tC offers this and more with its unique attention to detail.

The tC’s comfortable front sport bucket seats feature driver’s side height and thigh support adjustments, along with a walk-in function with memory for both the seat and backrest. The push of a convenient lever at the top of the seat back yields a wide step-in space for easy access to the rear seats.

The metal-tone center console features a genuine cast-aluminum temperature control dial flanked by soft-touch electronic buttons and an LCD display showing exterior temperature, seven fan speeds and a clock. Shutter-type flush-closing dash vents complement the center console’s waterfall design.

The dash and upper door panels are covered with unique trim that was inspired by the texture of Japanese paper, while the front-passenger airbag is seamlessly integrated into the dash. Dampers are used for the interior moving parts and ensure smooth operation. The tC’s low NVH levels are maintained with extensive use of sound absorption materials.

The tC’s rear seats deliver utility and comfort. The rear can recline to 45 degrees and can be adjusted into 10 different positions. The 60/40-split rear seats fold forward for a nearly flat cargo floor, and when both are folded flat provide more than 8.5 feet of length for cargo. Standard tie down hooks in the rear seat and cargo areas provided added convenience.

Storage is abundant in the tC with four roomy map pockets, bag hooks in side panels, numerous CD, bottle, cup and cell phone holders, and a two-tiered fabric-covered center console. Additional storage can be found under the right rear cargo area for securing valuables.

Generous Warranty
All Scion models are backed by a 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle limited warranty that applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60,000 miles and corrosion with no mileage limitation.