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Scion
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| A Sneak Peek at Toyota's new brand |
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 22:13:03 |
| Rating |
 194 ( 72 +37.11% ) | | Author | Tara Baukus Mello |
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Description:
The latest creation from Toyota isn't a vehicle, but a collection of vehicles that will be part of an entire new brand called Scion. Pronounced "sigh-on," Scion, which means descendant or heir, will be a stand-alone brand set to launch in June 2003. Sold at Toyota dealers in major metropolitan areas, Scion will have a separate area of the showroom and its own sales staff. Two vehicles will be offered at the launch, which will begin in California and roll out to the Gulf States, Southeast, Central Atlantic and Northeast with nationwide availability by June 2004, coinciding with the introduction of the third vehicle.
Vehicle Characteristics
Despite the fact that Scions will be priced in the entry-level segment, they will not be bare bones vehicles. "There's no point in creating a stripped down vehicle," explained Brian Bolain, national manager for Scion. Instead, Scions will be offered in just one trim level with features such as air conditioning, power windows, door locks and mirrors, sport seats, ground effects kits and a Pioneer sound system with CD and six speakers.
Buyers will then choose their accessories from Scion as well as aftermarket companies to customize their vehicles either straight from the dealer or, install themselves if they prefer. Over 40 items will be available for the two initial vehicles with items such as drilled floor pedals and accessories to theme a vehicle in a specific color, such as an interchangeable heel pad on the black floor mat in a variety of colors. Scion is making an effort to have performance accessories, such as turbochargers, available for its products from aftermarket companies when the first vehicles arrive at dealers.
Vehicle 1---The bbX
Scion will offer two vehicles when it is introduced in June 2003 and one of them will be very similar to this concept, called the bbX. Based on a vehicle called the Black Box that is popular with the young crowd in Japan, the American production vehicle will be about four inches longer and will feature a 108 horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with either a standard or automatic transmission. While it can look deceiving in photos, the bbX is actually a subcompact vehicle. The concept, which will remain similar in size when it goes into production, has a 98.4-inch wheelbase and is 157-inches long, 63-inches tall and 68-inches wide. Some have compared it to the box-like Honda Element and, although the two vehicles are essentially aimed at the same audience according to Bolain, the Element is much larger and more SUV-like than the bbX, as well as priced higher.
While the concept, shown here, rides on 17-inch wheels, 15-inch wheels will be standard on the production version, as will anti-lock brakes. Clear lens headlamps and a chrome-look grille will accent the front, while a standard ground effects kit will dress up the entire vehicle.
Inside, the production version of the bbX will feature sport seats with bucket seats up front and a bench seat with a 60/40 split in the rear. The tall, wide design features large door openings and means easy entry and exit for all passengers. Privacy glass will be standard.
Vehicle 2
Scion is keeping relatively quiet about the second vehicle it will introduce as a 2004 model when the brand launches in mid-2003. Bolain tells us that this vehicle will be based on a vehicle already in production in Japan, but won't provide any clues as to the configuration. Some speculations include a version of the WiLL or the ist (pronounced "east"), both currently on the Japanese market. While we don't know what this vehicle will look like or what type of engine it will have, we do know that it will seat four or five passengers and will be priced well under $18,000.
As with the bbX, Scion's second vehicle will be offered in one trim level, so buyers will simply choose the color and transmission and add on the accessories they prefer to their order. Interior features will for sure include air conditioning, power windows, door locks and mirrors, sport seats and a Pioneer audio system with CD and six speakers. The production version of Scion's second vehicle is slated to be unveiled at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in January 2003.
Vehicle 3---the ccX
Scheduled for release in June 2004 as a 2005 model, the third Scion will have the styling cues of the ccX concept unveiled at the 2002 New York Auto Show. This vehicle will be Scion's first vehicle designed from scratch for the brand. Although it is likely to be a coupe configuration, it is highly probable that it will carry at least four passengers, as with the ccX concept, and be suited to carrying cargo. Bolain tells us that this vehicle will also be the most performance-oriented of the three, leading us to conclude that vehicle number three might be the first Scion to be a strong competitor in the import tuner market, which is immensely popular with this group. Although no details have been released about the production vehicle yet, we can gather some clues from the ccX concept, which is a front-wheel drive coupe with a 2.4-liter, dual overhead cam, four-cylinder engine with a four-speed automatic transmission. Expected to be priced around $18,000, the third Scion will also have a wide variety of accessories available for buyers to personalize it.
© 2002, Tara Baukus Mello, All Rights Reserved. |
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