A new coupe is coming to town, and it’s going to shake-up the status quo. Scion—Toyota’s youth division—will be opening 45 dealerships across the country later this month. They will aggressively market their three Scion models—tC, xB and xD—to the Y-generation.
Setting Scion apart from other manufacturers that have taken aim at the urbane hipsters is the ability to customize a Scion by selecting from a catalogue of 75 dealer-installed Toyota TRD accessories that modify suspension setups, exhaust systems, brakes and many other aspects of a Scion including appearance.
The base tC
Well, there’s not really such a thing as a base tC because the vehicle comes from the factory in Japan fully equipped. That means there is no option list, only the choice of colour—and some are extremely brilliant—and a choice of an automatic or manual stick. And with a sticker of $20,850, the tC offers outstanding value just the way it is.
Ticking too many accessory boxes will certainly add to the vehicle’s price but even with leather seating, custom wheels and brakes, about the most one will spend on a tC is somewhere in the mid $20K range. With or without accessories, the tC is a sharp-looking ride that conveys a sense of strength and performance.
Truly functional back seat
Most compact coupes, such as the tC, exhibit sleek lines and an aggressive stance. Most of them also torment occupants relegated to the rear seat—if in fact they have one. Not so with the tC. It projects a svelte coupe image evocative of performance yet it treats occupants, including those in the rear, to quarters more spacious than typical of this segment.
Another neat feature is a driver’s seat that actually returns to its original position after sliding forward and tilting to enable unencumbered rear seat access. That nifty trick required some creative mechanical engineering, which leads me to more mechanical talk.
Mechanics of it all
Toyota refers to the concept of selling the tC fully equipped as “mono-spec,” and based on this concept only one engine is available. Under the tC’s broad hood sits a 2.5-litre DOHC I-4 mill that utilizes variable valve timing technology and sequential fuel injection to generate 180 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 173 pound-feet of torque @ 4,100 rpm.
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| There’s not really such a thing as a base tC because the vehicle comes from the factory in Japan fully equipped. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
Setting Scion apart from other manufacturers that have taken aim at the urbane hipsters is the ability to customize a Scion by selecting from a catalogue of 75 dealer-installed Toyota TRD accessories that modify suspension setups, exhaust systems, brakes and many other aspects of a Scion including appearance.
The base tC
Well, there’s not really such a thing as a base tC because the vehicle comes from the factory in Japan fully equipped. That means there is no option list, only the choice of colour—and some are extremely brilliant—and a choice of an automatic or manual stick. And with a sticker of $20,850, the tC offers outstanding value just the way it is.
Ticking too many accessory boxes will certainly add to the vehicle’s price but even with leather seating, custom wheels and brakes, about the most one will spend on a tC is somewhere in the mid $20K range. With or without accessories, the tC is a sharp-looking ride that conveys a sense of strength and performance.
Truly functional back seat
Most compact coupes, such as the tC, exhibit sleek lines and an aggressive stance. Most of them also torment occupants relegated to the rear seat—if in fact they have one. Not so with the tC. It projects a svelte coupe image evocative of performance yet it treats occupants, including those in the rear, to quarters more spacious than typical of this segment.
Another neat feature is a driver’s seat that actually returns to its original position after sliding forward and tilting to enable unencumbered rear seat access. That nifty trick required some creative mechanical engineering, which leads me to more mechanical talk.
Mechanics of it all
Toyota refers to the concept of selling the tC fully equipped as “mono-spec,” and based on this concept only one engine is available. Under the tC’s broad hood sits a 2.5-litre DOHC I-4 mill that utilizes variable valve timing technology and sequential fuel injection to generate 180 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 173 pound-feet of torque @ 4,100 rpm.
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| Under the tC’s broad hood sits a 2.5-litre DOHC I-4 mill that generates 180 horsepower and 173 pound-feet of torque. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |