Scion
Scion iQ to hit the American market by 2011
Rumor has it, which I think should be pretty accurate, that Toyota will offer the iQ super mini in the US by 2011. Expected to be rebadged as a Scion, the US version of the iQ would be lengthened by 1.5 inches to help meet America’s crash safety standards.
It is also expected to feature a different interior. Powerplant options offered with the European version are expected to be carried over including a 67HP 1.0-liter petrol as well as the new 98HP 1.33 liter dual VVT-i unit. Apparently, there may also be an electric version sometime in the future. Recently, auto tuner Five Axis previewed the Scion iQ Concept at this year’s New York Auto Show. Please click here to watch a video of the concept.
Scion iQ Concept: Video!
Following the debut of the Scion iQ Concept at the New York Auto Show, we now have a 2 minute 54 second-long video of the fully kitted up concept to show you. The concept was customized by Five Axis and is powered by a 1.3 liter 4-cylinder VVT-i engine that produces 93HP and 120Nm of torque. Scion has yet to reveal when exactly the iQ will hit the U.S market, but you can probably expect it to be offered by early 2010. Continue reading to watch the video. Enjoy! Read the rest of this entry.
Scion unveils the iQ Concept in New York
Scion has officially unveiled the iQ micro-subcompact concept car at the New York Auto Show. The 3+1 seater features a custom front air dam, aero headlamps and high-intensity LED driving lamps as well as 18-inch wheels with a nickel finish and wide tires that fill the wheel well. The rear is finished with a thick rear diffuser as well as a center-mounted trapezoid exhaust and large matte-finished rear tail lights.
On the inside, the iQ Concept features green and gray honeycomb upholstery covering the door panels and seating areas, a 10-inch panel touch-screen LCD screen on top of the center cluster that serves as the main entertainment console and navigation system interface, a multi-information display allows the driver to toggle through the odometer, average speed, temperature and eco lamp, a glove bag and more.
The rear seats are also fold-able via a 50:50 split to improve practicality. Safety wise, it comes with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and a total of nine SRS airbags, which includes the world’s first rear window curtain airbag. Power is derived from a 1.3 liter 4 cylinder VVT-i motivator that produces 93HP and 120Nm of torque. Suspension wise, the iQ Concept is fitted with TEIN Super Street coilover suspension. Overall, the iQ Concept measures 126.9 inches long, 71.4 inches wide (without side mirrors), 56.9 inches high, with a wheelbase of 78.7 inches. Continue reading to view an image gallery. Read the rest of this entry.
Toyota iQ-based compact to be unveiled with a Scion badge in New York?
U.S auto brand, Scion had revealed that it will showcase a micro-subcompact concept car at upcoming motor show in New York. Although Scion’s press release regarding the matter is rather short, but motoring journalists worldwide including myself are speculating that the concept is actually re-badged version of the Toyota iQ. However, the concept and its eventual production model may feature a slightly different styling compared to the iQ.
If this is true, Scion will also most probably offer the new 1.33 liter power plant with the micro car that also features dual VVT-i system and is able to pump out 99HP. The little engine also comes with Toyota’s Optimal Drive technology as well as an engine Stop & Start technology that enables the iQ to return 58.9 miles to the gallon with the 6 speed manual gearbox and 55.4 miles with a CVT transmission. The Toyota iQ was also recently awarded with a 5-star Euro NCAP rating.
