Just one year ago, New York was the forum for the revival of Toyota’s Scion subsidiary, featuring two new cars, the iA sedan and iM coupe. But the rejuvenation was short-lived and the 2016 show will commemorate Scion’s 2002 Javits Center debut, and then begin the countdown to its disappearance. That will officially occur in late August and September, when the 2016 model year gives way to 2017 and current Scions will become Toyotas. In the meantime, Scion has officially become Scion by Toyota.
Release Series Final
The star of Scion’s final show will be a limited edition of the sporty tC coupe — the Scion tC RS (Release Series) 10.0. Collaborating once again with aero add-on designer Kei Miura — creator of the Rocket Bunny FR-S — the last Scion Release Series aero kit includes a front spoiler, rocker panels and spoilers high and low at the rear.
Finished in Barcelona Red, the special edition tC wears gloss black alloy wheels and black Scion badges. Inside, the black sport seats, steering wheel, shift boot, and parking brake handle are picked out with red stitching. Other elements include red seat belts and Release Series carpeted floor mats, and cargo mats.
In addition to the aero kit and interior elements, the special edition includes a special dual exhaust system and shorter springs for reduced ride height, both from TRD, Toyota’s performance division. The tC RS 10.0 will be a true limited edition of 1,200 cars, each with a sequentially numbered badge. Availability is planned for June. MSRP for the 6-speed manual transmission version will be $23,985 plus $795 in destination. Add $1,150 for a 6-speed sequential shift automatic with paddle shifters.
Concept Sextet
While the limited edition tC will be the centerpiece, Scion’s New York display also will include a mini-history of the brand, with a half-dozen concepts from past shows. The list includes the Scion BBX Concept (2002); FiveAxis Speedster xA (2004); Kogi BBQ Truck xD (2009); iQ Concept (2009); FR-S Concept (2011); and Slayer tC (2014).
Over Scion’s first 13 years, total sales were just over 1 million, specifically 1,092,675. The tC and xB mini wagon account for the lion’s share of those sales, logging 418,235 and 392,632, respectively, from 2004 through 2015.
