New 2008 Scions...xD and xB
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New 2008 Scions...xD and xB
Originally Posted by AutoWeek
Going for the GM Jugular
Latest Scion models provide yet another weapon in Toyota’s push to the top of the world’s automotive ranks
By BOB GRITZINGER
AutoWeek | Published 02/08/07, 2:38 pm et
Toyota’s latest swing at staying relevant to the 30 and under set—and another key to taking the title of “world’s largest automaker”—arrived at the Chicago auto show in the form of the 2008 Scion xB and the 2008 Scion xD.
The second-generation xB loses some of its boxy styling, taking on some of the design cues revealed in the t2B concept shown at the 2005 New York show. The xD, although touted as an all-new vehicle for Scion, is a replacement for the xA hatchback in the Toyota youth niche lineup.
xB loses its sharp corners and grows by more than a foot in length, and three inches in width, while decreasing one inch in height. Wheelbase is wider and brakes are larger on the new model.
Under the hood, xB gets the Scion tC’s 2.4-liter 158-hp, 162-lb-ft four-cylinder engine, linked to either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic. The engine gives xB a 55-hp increase in power over the previous model’s 1.5-liter four. xB goes on sale in April.
Meanwhile, five-door hatchback 2008 xD arrives in August, filling the gap left in the Scion lineup when xA ceased production in late 2006 (the company did not offer a 2007 model). xD, which shares its chassis with the Yaris, is equipped with the 1.8-liter 128-hp, 125-lb-ft four-cylinder engine, also offered with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Output is up 25 hp over the xA’s 1.5-liter engine. Pricing for the new Scions was not released.
The vehicles shown at Chicago were one-off concept models, intended to show off the tuner-ability inherent in Scion’s so-called monospec strategy. Scions buyers choose a tranny and a color, and the rest of the vehicle options are already in place. That’s when tuners step in, adding upgraded audio equipment, custom paint, lowered suspensions, special wheels and tires, and free-flowing exhaust components. The xB at the show was tuned by TRD, with a 25-percent increase in horsepower thanks to a TRD supercharger and cold air intake.
Toyota hopes its efforts with Scion help pave the way for the next-generation of car buyers to adopt the Japanese automaker as they own, and the plan appears to be working. Scion vice president Mark Templin notes the median age of a Scion buyer is now 30, the youngest in the industry.
“For Scion owners who have already replaced their Scion with another vehicle, eight out of top 10 replacement models are from the Toyota family,” noted Templin.
Latest Scion models provide yet another weapon in Toyota’s push to the top of the world’s automotive ranks
By BOB GRITZINGER
AutoWeek | Published 02/08/07, 2:38 pm et
Toyota’s latest swing at staying relevant to the 30 and under set—and another key to taking the title of “world’s largest automaker”—arrived at the Chicago auto show in the form of the 2008 Scion xB and the 2008 Scion xD.
The second-generation xB loses some of its boxy styling, taking on some of the design cues revealed in the t2B concept shown at the 2005 New York show. The xD, although touted as an all-new vehicle for Scion, is a replacement for the xA hatchback in the Toyota youth niche lineup.
xB loses its sharp corners and grows by more than a foot in length, and three inches in width, while decreasing one inch in height. Wheelbase is wider and brakes are larger on the new model.
Under the hood, xB gets the Scion tC’s 2.4-liter 158-hp, 162-lb-ft four-cylinder engine, linked to either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic. The engine gives xB a 55-hp increase in power over the previous model’s 1.5-liter four. xB goes on sale in April.
Meanwhile, five-door hatchback 2008 xD arrives in August, filling the gap left in the Scion lineup when xA ceased production in late 2006 (the company did not offer a 2007 model). xD, which shares its chassis with the Yaris, is equipped with the 1.8-liter 128-hp, 125-lb-ft four-cylinder engine, also offered with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Output is up 25 hp over the xA’s 1.5-liter engine. Pricing for the new Scions was not released.
The vehicles shown at Chicago were one-off concept models, intended to show off the tuner-ability inherent in Scion’s so-called monospec strategy. Scions buyers choose a tranny and a color, and the rest of the vehicle options are already in place. That’s when tuners step in, adding upgraded audio equipment, custom paint, lowered suspensions, special wheels and tires, and free-flowing exhaust components. The xB at the show was tuned by TRD, with a 25-percent increase in horsepower thanks to a TRD supercharger and cold air intake.
Toyota hopes its efforts with Scion help pave the way for the next-generation of car buyers to adopt the Japanese automaker as they own, and the plan appears to be working. Scion vice president Mark Templin notes the median age of a Scion buyer is now 30, the youngest in the industry.
“For Scion owners who have already replaced their Scion with another vehicle, eight out of top 10 replacement models are from the Toyota family,” noted Templin.
xD (replaces xA)
xD Customized
xB
xB Customized
Last edited by jrp4uc; Feb 9, 2007 at 10:04 AM.
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What is with Toyota putting the stereo closer to the passenger than the driver? The Tundra is like that, and now it appears the xB has gone the same way.
That dash is nicer to look at than the current xB (not saying much), but still pretty lame. Let's see how much hell they catch for having the cluster in the center of the dash, again.
That dash is nicer to look at than the current xB (not saying much), but still pretty lame. Let's see how much hell they catch for having the cluster in the center of the dash, again.
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The custom versions look ok. I am sure they will sell well to their target market.
Looking at the Xb interior, they put storage pockets up in those wide rear pillars. That seems like a bad idea. In addition to a blind spot, if you get in an accident, stuff in those pockets can fly out and hit your head. I know that is a common safety nit pick that applies to all wagons/hatches for items in the trunk area, but putting stuff up high would just seem to increase the chance for something to hit your head.
I wonder if the offsett radio is because the interior is first set up for LHD in their own market? So a Japanese LHD Xb would have the radio close to the driver. Or maybe they still mirror image the interior, putting the radio off to the left, away from the driver in LHD versions too?
Looking at the Xb interior, they put storage pockets up in those wide rear pillars. That seems like a bad idea. In addition to a blind spot, if you get in an accident, stuff in those pockets can fly out and hit your head. I know that is a common safety nit pick that applies to all wagons/hatches for items in the trunk area, but putting stuff up high would just seem to increase the chance for something to hit your head.
I wonder if the offsett radio is because the interior is first set up for LHD in their own market? So a Japanese LHD Xb would have the radio close to the driver. Or maybe they still mirror image the interior, putting the radio off to the left, away from the driver in LHD versions too?
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I took in on trade an '06 Scion xB "Release 2.0 Edition" (no, I'm not kidding...they called it that...) with a factory installed turbo. It was lime green, with hubcaps...but at least it had TV screens in the back headrests. All factory...
Now, when I've test driven customer's trade ins, I've driven some pretty bad cars. Wranglers with holes rotted in the floors. Festivas. Saabs that had neither 3rd nor 4th gear.
But the ONLY car in which I was LAUGHED at was the Scion. Two really, really cute girls were waiting to cross the street...I stopped to let them go...and they laughed at me in that ugly green beast...
Can't say I blame them. I've never, ever wanted to end a test of a customer's car so quickly in my life...
Now, when I've test driven customer's trade ins, I've driven some pretty bad cars. Wranglers with holes rotted in the floors. Festivas. Saabs that had neither 3rd nor 4th gear.
But the ONLY car in which I was LAUGHED at was the Scion. Two really, really cute girls were waiting to cross the street...I stopped to let them go...and they laughed at me in that ugly green beast...
Can't say I blame them. I've never, ever wanted to end a test of a customer's car so quickly in my life...
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When my wife drives, I often ask her to adjust the volume in our Tahoe because for me to reach the **** is a bit of a stretch.
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[QUOTE=Jason E;4399413]I took in on trade an '06 Scion xB "Release 2.0 Edition" (no, I'm not kidding...they called it that...) with a factory installed turbo. It was lime green, with hubcaps...but at least it had TV screens in the back headrests. All factory...QUOTE]
OK, this just shows that I'm a real dork, but if it was green, it wasn't a 2.0, it was a 3.0. 2.0 was yellow. If it was a turbo, that was aftermarket. There is a dealer installed accessory supercharger for the tC, but I don't know of any official turbo kit for xB.
All xA and xB come with wheelcovers stock. They figure you're going to put your own wheels on anyway (at least the idea, most of them I see still have the chintzy looking covers).
OK, this just shows that I'm a real dork, but if it was green, it wasn't a 2.0, it was a 3.0. 2.0 was yellow. If it was a turbo, that was aftermarket. There is a dealer installed accessory supercharger for the tC, but I don't know of any official turbo kit for xB.
All xA and xB come with wheelcovers stock. They figure you're going to put your own wheels on anyway (at least the idea, most of them I see still have the chintzy looking covers).