Scio Updated 2012 tC and New tC RS 7.0

It’s only been eight months in the market but Scion has already announced a 2012 model year version of its latest tC sports coupe. Leaving aside the equipment upgrades for the basic model, the most important news for the 2012MY is the launch of the first release series for the second-generation tC sports coupe.

The new 2012 tC Release Series 7.0 or RS 7.0 for short, is available exclusively in a “High Voltage” yellow exterior finish with contrasting black side view mirrors and black 18-inch alloy wheels. A sports package from TRD that includes front and rear lower valences and side skirts plus a honeycomb lower front grille is also standard.

Interior goods include “High Voltage” yellow accents with black and yellow seat fabric, a leather wrapped steering wheel with yellow stitching and an individually numbered badge.

In a first for Scion, the tC RS 7.0 features the so-called Smart Key, which includes a keyless entry system that unlocks the doors with a touch of the door handle and a red TRD push-button start.

Toyota’s subsidiary said it will only build 2,200 units of the tC RS 7.0, which is priced at $20,905 and $21,905 when equipped with a manual and automatic transmission respectively, not including a $720 delivery, processing and handling fee.

The changes to the basic 2012 tC are limited to a new standard Pioneer audio system featuring Bluetooth hands-free, Bluetooth streaming audio and HD Radio technology and an optional upgraded version enhanced with a 5.8-inch LCD touch-screen display, features iTunes tagging and Pandora internet radio connected through iPhone and six RCA outputs to add external amplifiers.

Pricing for the entry-level 2012 tC is set at $18,575 when equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox and $19,575 when ordered with a six-speed automatic (not including Scion’s $720 delivery, processing and handling fee).

Both the standard and the RS 7.0 Scion tCs are powered by a 2.5-liter inline-four delivering 180HP and 173 lb-ft of peak torque.

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Scion With The Death Metal Scene

Accοrding tο Automotive News, Scion is in the midst οf rethinking its company strategy tο help pull the Toyota οffshoot οut οf its current sales slump. Originally, the autοmaker's executives envisioned a brand with quick prοduct cycles that promised tο keep its hardware fresh and interesting. Unfοrtunately, that whole recessiοn thing happened. Scion has since stretched its refresh cycle tο save οn cash, but it sounds like the brand alsο has plans tο attempt to appeal tο an audience outside οf its current demοgraphic.

Apparently, Scion may even prοbe intο the death metal scene tο rummage up buyers. The Japanese brand οriginally marketed heavily to the alternative and hip hοp music base, but other brands have since caught οn tο the strategy. That helped tο turn those genres more mainstream, sο Scion is headed back οut tο the fringe.

In additiοn, buyers can expect to see twο new models in Scion shοwrooms sοon, including the $20,000-plus mοdel based οn the FR-S Coupe Cοncept and the iQ minicar. Sοmehow, we have a hard time picturing death metal junkies driving arοund in customized iQs, but what dο we know?

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2011 NYIAS: New Scion FR-S Concept

The most hotly anticipated model of the New York Auto Show, Scion’s version of the Toyota FT-86 sports coupe concept, finally made its world premiere today. The study is named FR-S, which stands for ‘Front-Engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport’, though we prefer the definition given by Jack Hollis, Scion vice president, during the New York Show presentation.
“FR-S stands for Front-engine… Rear-wheel drive… Sport. Pretty simple. I personally believe it should stand for Friggin’ Really Sweet… but the legal department at Toyota was NOT feeling the same way,” said Hollis.
The first thing most readers will notice about the FR-S is the refined design compared to the latest concept version of the Toyota FT-86, shown in Geneva this past March. Though it’s hard to pinpoint all the changes without having the cars side by side, the photos reveal a tweaked front end with revamped headlamps and a different bumper design without the aftermarket like add-on LED strips.
Looking at the coupe’s profile, we see beefier and more heavily sculptured front and rear fenders plus new side sills and mirrors, and larger alloy wheels with a different design. In addition, the FT-86 II’s gaudy fender air vents have been removed.
Moving on to the rear, Scion’s interpretation of the FT-86 includes a new rear fascia with a more protruding boot design that ditches the tuner-esque rear wing, different tail lamps and an impressive rear diffuser. Other changes include the roof that projects into the rear windshield.
The end result is a far more aggressive and sleeker design than the FT-86 II. Now here’s hoping that Scion won’t surprise us at the next major car show in the States with an FR-S II study…
As expected, Scion said the production version of the FR-S, which will follow in 2102, will be fitted with the same 2.0-liter boxer engine sourced from Subaru as the Toyota model. However, the company revealed that the flat four engine will incorporate Toyota’s D4-S injection system, which utilizes both direct and port injection, resulting in increased horsepower and torque throughout the entire powerband, without sacrificing MPG – or at least that’s what the company claims.

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2011 Scion tC Coupe

Highlighting Scion's presence at next week's SEMA Show will be five customized examples of the Japanese firm's all-new 2011 tC Coupe. When it leaves the factory, the tC is motivated by a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine pushing out 185-horsepower.
As you'd expect, most tuners chose the turbocharging route to increase the tC's performance under the hood, with GReddy being the only company to announce output figures (340hp and 325 lb-ft of peak torque). Scroll down for photos and full details (in the spec sheets) for all five tCs.

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