I love coming to New York… And this show has a special place in Scion’s history.

In addition to introducing the brand here in 2002… we’ve revealed a number of significant vehicles in New York… and last year was no exception.

When I saw you a year ago… we revealed the all-new… second-generation tC.

BETTER in every possible way… it features aggressive styling and enhanced performance.

It’s a premium compact sports coupe that redefines its segment to meet the desires of an evolving buyer.

When the critically acclaimed tC reached Scion dealerships last September… it was well received by Scion owners… both new and existing.

Since its original launch seven years ago… it’s had the youngest median-age buyer in the industry… and the all-new tC continues that trend.

It enables Scion to have the youngest drivers on the road today.

The second-generation tC’s successful launch last fall continued to bring new buyers into the Toyota family… which has been a key goal for Scion since inception.

The tC immediately drove traffic to Scion dealerships… contributing heavily to sales increases for all three Scion models in the last quarter of the year.

Last year… we also showed you an exciting new vehicle that will help usher in a “New Urbanism”… the Scion iQ. When it goes on sale later this year… the iQ will appeal to a more progressive buyer whose transportation needs and desires are changing.

The iQ will be about big ideas… Concentrated. It will take a unique approach to urban mobility… beyond convenient transportation… with a blend of style and innovation.

The iQ will define a new… premium… micro-subcompact segment… attracting new urbanites who appreciate inventive transportation without sacrifice in design or features.

It will also have an emotional appeal that screams… “it’s time to have fun.”

The iQ will have all the safety and security drivers want. Vehicle Stability Control… Anti-lock Brakes… and Traction Control are among the standard-active safety features.

It’s amazing that a car this small not only has a segment best… but an INDUSTRY-best 11 standard airbags… including the world’s first rear-window curtain airbag.

Like all Scions… the iQ will represent a great value with a strong mix of standard features and benefits. I’m looking forward to seeing it navigate the streets of Manhattan… with a HUGE advantage in finding a parking spot… as well as other cities around the country.

To get them in the hands of urban owners as soon as possible… we will launch the iQ in waves… just like when we originally launched the brand. We’ll start with the West Coast… New York and the rest of the East Coast will follow. The iQ will then reach the Midwest.

While the iQ’s launch is later than we originally planned… most of you can understand why.

But you know what… our company is always about people first… and our top priority these days is to support our colleagues in Japan… their families… and the Japanese people.

It’s a tribute to their hard work and dedication… and their ability to come together under the most difficult circumstances… that impresses each and every one of us.

It’s truly an honor to be teammates with them.

The iQ and tC are more than just two new products. Together… they’re helping us usher in the “New Dimension” of Scion. While tC stretched Scion in a new direction… and iQ will too… in a BIG way… we’re NOT stopping there.

You know… Scion has always been Toyota’s lab for trying new ideas. At its core is a DNA of authenticity… community… and personalization that we’ll be expanding even further. While Scion’s been iconic with the xB… and adrenalized by the tC… and groundbreaking with the iQ.

Now… we’ll be going in a New Dimension that I know Scion is truly destined for.

It’s no secret…Toyota President Akio Toyoda loves to express his passion for driving. Whether he’s behind the wheel of the LF A at the 24-hours of Nurburgring… or just cruising around on the weekend in his IS F… it’s obvious that he knows what it means to have fun in a car.

In countless interviews and presentations… Akio has made it clear that he wants to bring that Fun-to-Drive spirit… BACK to TOYOTA.

And you know what… THIS is what he has in mind.

Ladies and gentlemen…passionate drivers… canyon carvers… auto-crossers and weekend track warriors…it is my pleasure to introduce YOU to the New Dimension of “Fun to Drive”…no scratch that…”Awesome to Drive”… also known as…the Scion FR-S Concept.

Every time I see this car…I just can’t help but smile.

You know… I’ve been having a lot of fun watching the forums and reading the comments about this car.

I’m truly impressed by the amount of passion that the enthusiasts already have for it and the volume of buzz that it’s generating. It proves that they are absolutely READY for a car just like THIS!

One of the common rumors about this car is its name. We’ve seen people call it FR-86… FT-S… and of course Scion FT-86. All were pretty close!

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.

You may be asking yourself… why did Scion stray away from the traditional naming convention?
Well… why not?! Scion’s never been about convention… We’re always looking to be different.

And this car is SO MUCH DIFFERENT than anything Scion has in its lineup…it deserves to stand out.

Now before I get too far into where the FR-S Concept COULD go… it’s important to know where it comes FROM.

The definition of the word scion… as you already know… means to be a descendant of… or an heir to. Well… the FR-S is an excellent example of that definition. Toyota’s lengthy history of performance cars and racing heritage trickles down into the overall design of the FR-S…just one of the benefits of being in such a great family.

You’re probably already pretty familiar with cars like the Toyota 2000GT… the MR-2… the Celica All Trac Turbo… and my personal favorite…the Supra Turbo.

The FR-S Concept… however… is most closely related to… and really inspired by… the AE86 Corolla…known by its true fans as the “hachi-roku…” which means 8-6 in Japanese.

The AE86 didn’t rely on brute horsepower… but instead a remarkable combination of a lightweight design… manageable power and great balance. It made its way into almost every genre of racing from grip to drift… and from the circuit to mountain roads.

Although this concept arrives here more than 25 years later… and doesn’t share a single common part… the spirit and the heritage of the AE86 has trickled down into every single detail of this FR-S Concept. The goal was to create an authentic rear-wheel drive sports car… with compelling style… exceptionally balanced performance and handling… flexible utility… and surprising MPG. I know the FR-S Concept will achieve all of that.

How did we do it? Well… we started with an overall focus for the car…PURE BALANCE.

The balance begins with the strategic use of a flat boxer engine in a front-engine… rear-wheel drive configuration. The combination allows the FR-S’s engine and transmission package to be mounted lower… and further back toward the rear… giving the car a lower center of gravity and a favorable front-to-rear weight ratio.

The naturally aspirated two-liter engine features Toyota’s D4-S injection system… which utilizes both direct and port injection… resulting in increased horsepower and torque throughout the entire powerband. We all know that it’s not hard to make horsepower and torque…but it IS hard to do all that AND get great MPG. The FR-S Concept tackles all three.

The flat-four mates with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The manual offers quick and precise shifts with a short-throw… while the automatic transmission features aggressive… sporty shifts… initiated by steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Power is put to the pavement via a limited-slip differential.

The idea of PURE BALANCE is further realized by the FR-S’s lightweight design and short wheel base. The combination allows the car to be quick and nimble into and out of any corner.

Every single angle of this car bleeds performance… and it starts with this awesome red paint that I like to call… “Code Red.” The profile of the FR-S was inspired by the 2000GT… making it extremely low to the ground with a long and sleek hood.

The front bumper is aggressive… with fierce… edgy headlights. The roof has a gull-wing shape… channeling air-flow smoothly over the car. While the rear features a trapezoidal shape with unique tail lamps and center-positioned back-up light.

The FR-S Concept connects to the road via 20-inch wheels that are staggered… 8-inches wide up front and a ridiculous 10-inches wide in the rear. The wheels have a unique motorcycle-style braking system with huge 18-inch rotors that are attached to the wheels. Four-piston calipers bite down hard when the car needs to be brought to a halt.

While the FR-S you see today is a concept vehicle… we envision that the sports car physique wouldn’t stop with the aggressive exterior. The interior would share the same DNA… designed with both form and function in mind. I envision it would be the perfect daily driver AND weekend warrior. How about a 2+2 seating configuration… with a fold-flat cargo area large enough to transport a full set of race-spec tires… a floor jack and the necessary pit tools for a fun day at the track? Because you and I know that not all enthusiasts have a truck and trailer.

As you can tell… the FR-S Concept is a serious sports coupe… offering performance that hard-core driving fanatics can only find in a rear-wheel drive.

While the tC appeals strongly to a young… aspirational owner who is just starting to achieve early success… I see the FR-S Concept taking us into yet another Dimension.

It will be a sports car for someone who knows exactly what he wants… where he wants to go… and desires a car to take him there. It will have that Pure Balance to reach the braking zone… hit the apex… and accelerate on to the next conquest.

While only a concept… the FR-S shows what is possible with Scion owners’ creativity and easy ability to personalize. It’s a vehicle that will inspire a new model coming to market next year.

I look forward to showing you more… very soon.

Thanks again for joining us today.

Come on up and take a look at the FR-S Concept.

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The FR-S Concept, which stands for Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport; is Scion’s definition of an authentic rear-wheel-drive sports car with compelling style, exceptionally balanced performance and handling, flexible utility and surprising MPG.

“Scion is always experimenting with new things,” said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. “The brand is iconic with the xB, adrenalized by the tC, and groundbreaking with the iQ. The FR-S will expand the brand into yet another new dimension that I know it is truly destined for.”

The FR-S is a true “scion,” born into a lengthy history of Toyota performance cars and motorsports. The sports coupe is most inspired by the AE86 generation of the Corolla, better known as the Hachi-Roku, meaning “8-6” in Japanese. The front-engine, rear-wheel drive coupe was lightweight and well balanced, making it a solid choice for driving enthusiasts.

Inspired by the AE86, the FR-S is built around the core goal of achieving “pure balance,” which begins with the strategic placement of a flat 2.0-liter boxer engine in a front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration. The engine’s compact size and shape Scion FR-S Concept/2-2-2-2

allows the FR-S’ powertrain to be mounted lower and further back towards the rear, giving the car a lower center of gravity and a dynamically favorable front-to-rear weight ratio.

The FR-S’ naturally-aspirated engine is innovative, being the first boxer to 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.

The flat-four can mate with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The manual offers quick and precise shifts with a short-throw, while the automatic transmission features aggressive, sporty shifts that are initiated by steering- wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Power is distributed effectively via a limited-slip differential.

The idea of “pure balance” is further realized by the FR-S’ lightweight design and short wheelbase. The combination allows the car to be quick and nimble into and out of any corner, with dynamic maneuverability and confident stability.

“Akio Toyoda has mentioned that he is going to bring the fun-to-drive spirit back to Toyota,” Hollis said. “I know that the Scion FR-S Concept is one of the ways that he plans to accomplish that.”

The fierce exterior of the FR-S is a good reflection of its inner power. The intimidating proportions of the concept give it a dominant stance that bleeds performance. The profile, inspired by the Toyota 2000GT, reveals a hood-line that is remarkably sleek and low, made possible by the boxer’s architecture.

The low stance continues to exaggerate the FR-S’ menacing face, which is made up of sharp lines, a wide mouth and angular headlights that include bright LED clusters.

The solid panel roofline is sleek, lightweight and rigid, slotted with an aerodynamic shape that channels air cleanly over to the top.

The front fenders protrude upward, making space for the massive monoblock Five Axis 20×8.5-inch wheels, while the muscular rear fenders are widened to house the 20×10.5-inch wheels, emphasizing the FR-S’ staggered stance and rear-wheel-drive setup.

The rear fascia sits low and wide, with extensive lower treatments that surround the dual exhaust exits and contribute to excellent aerodynamics. LEDs illuminate both the edgy taillights and the bold “SCION” logo.

The concept features four-piston-caliper front brakes that clamp down on monstrous 18-inch annular carbon ceramic matrix rotors that are fixed to the wheels in a motorcycle-fashion.

The FR-S Concept is layered in rich coats of Code Red, the appropriately named color that consists of a custom blend of candy and a developmental additive from BASF called Mearlite SSQ.

Concept Dimensions:
Length – 168.2
Width – 71.5
Height – 47.4
Front Track – 61.8
Rear Track – 59.9
Wheelbase – 101.2

FR-S Concept Site: www.ScionDimension.com

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Toyota is ready to take its hybrid technology a step further in Frankfurt. Taking centre stage will be the Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept. A milestone in Toyota’s long-term hybrid strategy, it represents the first step in introducing Hybrid Synergy Drive from the Prius into a mainstream model – and eventually across the entire range.

Alongside the Auris will be the latest Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept. Allowing pure electric operation with a petrol engine only needed to top up the batteries, it offers significant advantages over the current car. And they willl be hitting UK roads as early as next year, when over 150 units will be leased to selected fleet customers.

Two customised show cars – the IQ for Sports (essentially a rebadged Scion IQ Concept first seen at the 2009 New York Motor Show) and the IQ Collection, featuring a panoramic glass roof and cow-print interior trim, will also be unveiled at the show.

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Posted By SHAUN KEENAN, SUN MEDIA

Posted 5 hours ago

Toyota’s youthful Scion brand doesn’t arrive until 2010, but that’s not to say the party can’t start early. Rest assured. It has. Oh, and it’s pronounced sigh-on” NOT sky-on.”

Since arriving in the U. S. market in 2003, Scions three-vehicle line-up has become a mainstay of California’s automotive tuning culture. Each model — the xB, xD andtC– has its own group of followers. Private owners and aftermarket businesses have all flocked to Scion. As a result, we’ve seen everything from fully-built show and rump-shaking car audio competition vehicles to high-power turbocharged street cars and ultra-quick time attack racers.

So, while the Americans have been pulling apart and rebuilding Scions for a few years, Canadians will have some catching up to do when they reach our showrooms next year.

In the meantime, Toyota Canada has been using this one-off show car–the Scion Fuse sports coupe concept–to create buzz at the auto shows in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

Developed by Calty Design Research, Toyota’s North American design studio in Newport Beach, Calif., and Scion’s Advanced Product Strategy Team, the Fuse was built by Five Axis of Huntington Beach.

The Fuse is a styling exercise with the sole purpose to push the limits of a Scion sport coupe by combining entertainment, digital technology and versatility into one sinister-looking package. Its bold Japanese-anime-meets-1920s-Windy-City-styling makes a strong statement about the company’s intention to crack open the performance envelope among affordable, entry-level sport coupes.

Calty designers Alex Shen and Bob Mochizuki came up with the exterior design, which is inspired by the Super GT or Hako” racing cars of Japan. The strong performance statement is bolstered by the Fuse’s low and aggressive stance, further enhanced by a cool wraparound windshield that looks like it came straight off a helmet.

A quick glance reveals a menacing presence with slim, high-mounted, deep-set headlamps that communicate a serious attitude. A large intercooler is clearly visible behind the large rectangular intake vent on the front fascia, which hints at a turbo-or supercharged powerplant. There’s a tiny LCD screen set behind the front badge, which can be used to display either video or images just for fun.

Two sizable glass panels that run the length of the roof open and slide in both directions. A speed-activated spoiler is found in the back where the widebody fender flares wrap around the whole rear fascia. Deep-set vertical tail lamps enhance the look and LED-encircled dual exhaust tips are both stylish and functional as fog and reverse lamps.

These aren’t the only lighting tricks either–those 20-inch custom wheels feature tiny LEDs on each spoke that operate as turn indicators, while headlights and fog lamps illuminate in various colours. Everything is programmable.

And, then there’s the interior!

Here, Calty designers Alan Schneider and Ichirou Mukai have taken advantage of the long wheelbase and high beltline to create a welcome interior that revolves around the driver and yet offers occupants their own intimate experience.

Sensor-operated butterfly doors open to reveal an interior that merges technology, function and racing inspired elements in an asymmetrical pentagon where the driver is positioned at the apex of the surround.

The racing tub” influence in the overall design is obvious. Steering controls, for instance, utilize a traditional drive-by-wire steering setup though the actual wheel is cutting edge thanks to influences from race cars and video game controllers.

Another major highlight of the interior is the built-in media centre that takes up most of the dash. This allows passengers to watch movies, play video games, or do both, on a pair of 10.5-inch monitors found on the right side. The left side of this arrangement is a vehicle system/communication interface” where all audio, video and climate systems are controlled via a touchscreen.

Additional interior features include more accent lighting on all seats, doors and headliner. Seats are upholstered in soft-to-the-touch Mythos” fabric for max comfort.

Referred to as one plus stuff” design, the Fuse interior offer even more surprises. In fact, there are different modes (or configurations) into which the vehicle can be put.

In video mode, the front passenger seat folds flat and serves as a table or footrest, and rear occupants can utilize the aforementioned video screens for movies, games or to get on line and communicate with friends via onboard Wi-Fi. In cargo mode, utility is maximized as the front passenger seat and rear seats fold down. In driving mode, the video screens off to the right are turned off while the multi-informational display remains accessible to the driver.

The cabin comfortably seats four but can actually seat more when the car is parked, thanks to a super trick tailgate that converts to provide outdoor seating. A simple sweep of the foot over an infrared sensor located on the lip of the rear bumper opens the rear tailgate and sliding hatch, allowing the tailgate to drop down into a curb-high bench. A pair of rear foldout speakers and portable drink cooler can be used for picnics and/or tailgating.

All in all, the Scion Fuse Sports Coupe concept is a true reflection of the boundless limits and creativity that embodies all of the vital personalization options of a Scion product. To learn more, visit scionnation.ca and fiveaxis.net.

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Scion logo. (PRNewsFoto/Toyota Motor Sales) TORRANCE, CA UNITED STATES

                            SCION iQ CONCEPT VEHICLE
                           PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
                           --------------------------

    POWERTRAIN

    Engine:           1.3-liter, four-cylinder, VVT-i
    Horsepower:       93 hp
    Torque:           89 lb.-ft.
    Drivetrain:       Front wheel drive

    DIMENSIONS (inches)

    Overall Length:   126.9
    Overall Width:     71.4 without side mirrors
                       79.3 including side mirrors
    Overall Height:    56.9 without antenna
                       62.5 including antenna
    Wheelbase:         78.7

    Seating Capacity: 3+1

    MODIFICATIONS

    Exhaust:          Five Axis custom stainless exhaust
    Wheels:           Five:AD S6:F custom wheels with nickel finish
                      prototyped by MetalFX
                      18x8.5 ET03

    Tires:            Yokohama S.drive
                      2.5/40R18
    Suspension:       TEIN Super Street coilover suspension
    Body:             Five Axis widebody conversion
                      Burnt nickel accents
                      Custom accented headlights and taillights

SOURCE Scion

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The Scion press conference will take place on Wednesday, April 8 at 12:05 p.m. EDT in the Galleria on level four in the Javits Convention Center.

Production versions of the xB urban utility vehicle, tC sports coupe and xD urban subcompact five-door will be on display in the Scion space as well as five highly-modified vehicles that debuted at the 2008 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas.

A video clip of the press conference will be available for viewing following the event on the scion.com website.

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Rumors that Toyota may sell its European iQ microcar in the U.S. under the Scion brand have reached a fever pitch, thanks to a new press release about a forthcoming Scion concept car.

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In 2009, the CIAS celebrated the Corvette with several dozen original, restored and custom Vettes from every era on display throughout the show. The GTA in Motion area, Cruise Nationals and Nascar pavilions are also great features.

Those who frequently attend the CIAS may be familiar with the sport compact revolution area inside the Rogers Centre (formerly Skydome). It’s been an important fixture of the show for almost a decade now, giving local tuners and businesses a forum to interact with auto show attendees; and, a chance to start the year with some momentum.

Now known as the “Red Zone”, this year it was a fusion of art, music, fashion and the automobile. For starters, the Scion Centre Stage came alive with live performances by the World Wushu Performance Team, fashion shows and live DJs, breakers and more.

Not far from the stage was the Scion Fuse Sports Coupe concept car. Following a warm welcome in Montreal, this stunning showpiece was drooled over and breathed heavily upon by attendees. Though it’s just a concept and Scions won’t be available here until 2010, the company did have reps on hand tossing out free music and answering questions on the concept and the brand. Even I learned something – those lights on the wheels are actually turn signals! How cool is that?

Of course, there were some cool tuners as well. Teknotik, for instance, had a pair of sweet Honda S2000s in its display. The North Toronto JDM specialist was in the Red Zone “…to show support for the tuning scene and lifestyle and to show people what can be done to their import vehicles,” says Eric Daoust.

“The black S2000 is a full Spoon car,” he explains, pointing to the hardtop roof, racy front fenders and rear under diffuser.” Spoon is a well-known and respected Japanese tuner of Honda and Acura vehicles. Even before I’m told this ‘02 model has a 400-hp supercharged engine do I already want one. Daoust also owns jdmrides.ca, Canada’s largest online JDM community.

Parked a few feet away, the other S2000 boasts a Mugen hardtop, some mix-matched carbon fibre aero pieces and a more potent 440-hp powerplant with which owner Chris Hui will compete in Canadian Sport Compact Series (CSCS) time attack events this season at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ont.

MS Auto Body, another local tuner, had several nice rides on hand too, including a clean GT-style wide body Acura NSX that was flanked by a tuned R32 Nissan Skyline as well as a pair of EK Civic hatchbacks in both right- and left-hand drive configurations.

Up-and-coming drifter Dave Briggs used the Red Zone to show off a new urban camo design and Vertex USA body kit on his Nissan Silvia S14 drifter built by SG Motorsport. The car has been built to compete in the 2009 Castrol Drift Mania Canadian Championships, though it was on display in the CSCS booth. Watch for the car to make appearances in both venues.

Of course, local retailers were on hand too. And, both First Image Car Audio and Wheels Direct all had staff and cool stuff, namely a modded Civic for the former and an Escalade and Ferrari for the latter. Even Jeff Gould’s over-the-top Batman-themed Project Gotham Ford Explorer was brimming with all the latest I.C.E., including a massive LCD monitor in the cargo area, with newly crowned Miss SCR Alisha Lynn putting her John Hancock on poster handouts, when not striking poses for the shutterbugs.

There were lots of great new vehicles at the CIAS, and every manufacturer has something to offer this year. But, while sales of new vehicles struggle to get off the line, I’m confident the aftermarket will be there for us during these tough times.

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The Montreal show also marks the launch of the Scion CD Sampler Volume 23, Kitsuné Pioneer, available free to the public attending the show while supplies last. It can also be downloaded through iTunes.

Developed by Calty Design Research, Toyota’s North American design studio in Newport Beach, California, and Scion’s Advanced Product Strategy Team, the Fuse was designed to be the new Scion sports coupe icon. The goal is to push the limits of a coupe concept by combining entertainment, digital technology and versatility into one package, and to expand the performance envelope among affordable, entry-level sport coupes.

“Last fall, Toyota Canada Inc. announced that the urban, street-savvy Scion would hit three key urban centres across Canada, including Montreal, in spring 2010, so we wanted to give Montrealers an example of the next Scion’s potential when it arrives,” said Larry Hutchinson, director of Scion in Canada. “The idea of the all-new Fuse Sports Coupe is a reflection of the boundless limits and creative envelope that embodies all the vital personalization components of a Scion product.”

The Fuse interior is referred to as “one plus stuff”, focusing on the driver by offering video, driving and cargo configurations. In video mode, the front passenger seat folds flat and serves as a table or footrest, while occupants use video screens or Wi-Fi connectivity to send instant messages to friends. In driving mode, the video screens turn off, and a multi-information display is used for driver information. In cargo mode, the front passenger and rear seats fold down to form a flat surface.

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