Scion

We know that Scion will be heading to the great parking lot into the sky later this year. But we didn't know how Toyota is planning to rename Scion's models when the changeover happens.   Autoblog spoke with Scion spokeswoman Nancy Hubbell who said the iA would be renamed 'Yaris iA' and the iM to 'Corolla iM'. We know, not the most imaginative names. But there are reasons for this. Hubbel explained the iA is sold as the Yaris sedan in Canada and Mexico, so "that connection was already there."

For something a bit surprising. This morning, Toyota has announced that the Scion brand will be shuttered and the current lineup will transition over to the Toyota brand for the 2017 model year.   News of this was first reported by CarBuzzard where a meeting was held yesterday with Scion employees notified of the decision.   “This isn’t a step backward for Scion; it’s a leap forward for Toyota. Scion has allowed us to fast track ideas that would have been challenging to test through the Toyo

Scion has announced pricing information for their upcoming iA subcompact sedan and iM compact hatchback that will be hitting dealers later this summer.   First up is the iA which begins at $16,495 for the six-speed manual and $17,495 for the six-speed automatic. Prices include a $795 destination charge. Underneath the Scion badges is the Mazda2 sedan which packs a 1.5L four-cylinder producing 106 horsepower and 103 pound-feet of torque.   Need a bit more space? Then you want to look at the i

Scion has been called Toyota's experimental division as it allows Toyota to try new products and ideas (although it hasn't been used for this in a few years). Now with this, you would think Toyota would introduce some new hybrid or electric vehicle. But Green Car Reports reports that it will not likely happen anytime soon. Scion chief Doug Murtha tells Green Car Reports the brand is still maintaining its focus on providing vehicles for those under 35, a group that isn't quite ready to spend the

For the past couple of years, we have reporting on countless rumorpile stories concerning the Scion FR-S. Most of these stories have dealt with a convertible and turbo power, and whether or not they are off or back on the table. Well it might be that two things may never come. Wards Auto spoke with Doug Murtha, senior vice president at Scion. Murtha explained that Toyota couldn't make a business case for either proposal. “So on the convertible we went down swinging,” said Murtha. “I think we w

Car and Driver had the chance to speak with Scion corporate manager Dave Harbuck, who let out that the automaker is planning to reveal two new models at the New York Auto Show next year. The first is a production model of the iM Concept that will debut in a couple week's time at the LA Auto Show. Many think that iM Concept is version of the Toyota Auris Touring Sports, a small wagon sold in European market. The second model is being kept under wraps for the moment. Car and Driver speculates tha

Scion has a very questionable future in the U.S. as some of their lineup continues to get older and sales continue to slump. New products are desperately needed and according to Automotive News, new products are coming. The changes to Scion's lineup begin later this year as the slow-selling iQ city car will say goodbye. Through June, Scion has only moved 1,227 iQs, down 47 percent when compared to last year. Then in the spring of 2015, the long-running xB will sent to the great cardboard-box

One of the rumors that has been floating around for the past year or so was the Scion FR-S (Toyota GT86) possibly getting a hybrid powertrain as a way of boosting power. "I hope to make an engine upgrade at least one time with this car. We [have] already tried all possibilities and there are several types of 86 prototypes at the Toyota proving ground now; one is a turbocharger, one is bigger displacement and [the other is a] special hybrid system," said Tetsuya Tada, chief engineer of the FR-S

Scion has been hamstrung for the past couple of years with an aging lineup. While new models such as the FR-S and updated tC have helped somewhat, Scion's sales have been declining. But the brand is planning to overhaul their lineup starting next year. Speaking on the sidelines of the New York Auto Show with Automotive News, Scion vice president Doug Murtha said the brand is planning to replace three of its five models starting next year. The first new model will be shown at the LA Auto Show. M

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 11, 2013 With sales of Scion vehicles slumping down and Toyota telling its dealers who have Scion that they can step away from it with no penalties, it makes you wonder if Scion has any new models on the way to help out. Bob Carter, senior vice president of Toyota Motor Sales USA told Reuters that new products for the brand are coming later than sooner. "We have a very robust and very exciting product cadence coming for Scion, however

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 19, 2013 Scion has billed itself as being the offbeat, youth oriented brand in the Toyota group. So it comes as a bit of surprise to find out that Scion currently has 1,100 dealers across the U.S. - 200 fewer than Toyota. Considering Scion's small lineup and declining sales over the past few years, this isn't good news. With all of these factors in play, it doesn't come as a surprise that Toyota's US group vice president, Bill Fay said t

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 4, 2013 Here at the rumorpile, we've been reporting on a couple derivatives for the Scion FR-S for the past year or so. The first is a convertible FR-S which we got a preview of at this year's Geneva Motor Show and the other is a turbocharged version. But a new report says both models have been canceled. Automotive News reports that the two FR-S models have been canned due to return of the investment not being viable for those models.

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 3, 2013 Ten years ago, Toyota introduced a new brand that promised young buyers fun and funky vehicles. That brand was Scion. Today, Scion is in a bit of a struggle. Originally conceived as a brand for young buyers, Scion has struggled to keep them in the fold. According to The Detroit News, 15 percent of Scion customers are under age 35. Meanwhile, 14 percent of Scion customers “We’re still a good 15 years or more below the average ind

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 9, 2012 Back in March, we reported on a comment said by Tetsuya Tada, the chief engineer of the Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S. "The GT 86 was designed from the outset that we can build it as a convertible," said Tada. Well it seems Toyota has given the green light for an FR-S convertible. Car and Driver reports the convertible will keep its back seat, however trunk space will suffer due to the folding roof mechanism. Mechanicals wi

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 21, 2012 Earlier tonight, Scion put the starting price tag on the new FR-S. As shown, the base price tag for a six-speed manual FR-S starts at $24,930 (Includes a $730 destination charge). This confirms a leaked document that got into the hands of FT86 Club which revealed the starting pricetag of $24,200 (excluding the destination charge) Source: Scion, FT86 Club Press Release is on Page 2 Scion Announces Pricing for Its 2013 FR-

So far this week, we’ve seen Toyota and Subaru introduce their versions of a small RWD coupe and now it’s Scion’s turn. At a event last night in Hollywood, CA, Scion showed off the production version FR-S. The FR-S carries the same design, direct-injection boxer 4-cylinder with a 12.5:1 compression ratio making 200 HP and 151 lb-ft of torque, six speed manual or optional automatic, and weight as it’s Subaru and Toyota brothers. And as with all other Scions, the FR-S will come with a range of p