Scion After a Year and Change

[skip0110]

Next question, if Scion gave the Scion tC a modified version of the Toyota Supra's engine, would this special tC sell more or less than the base model?

Never going to happen--the Supra I6 is far to wide to fit in a transverse application such as the tC. The tC engine, however, is from the the Camry, so I would imagine the Camry's 210 hp 3-liter V6 would fit. As good as this sounds, it would seriously muck up the weight distribution, and I don't believe that Toyota even has a manual tranny in their parts bin for this engine (maybe it is availible non-US markets, though).

 

[Diego440]

The tC is definitely open for modifications, and being how today's market is, it's no mystery why Toyota sell it in such a lame form. I mean, it looks like a rebadged mid-90s Saturn. I know, it has all the quality and durability of Toyoto to back it up, but still, the first impression is of such a simple car that it's impressive they're doing such good numbers.

 

[1X83Z]

The tC engine, however, is from the the Camry, so I would imagine the Camry's 210 hp 3-liter V6 would fit. As good as this sounds, it would seriously muck up the weight distribution, and I don't believe that Toyota even has a manual tranny in their parts bin for this engine (maybe it is availible non-US markets, though).

Better, yet, the tC could also borrow the Camry SE V6's 225-horsepower 3.3-liter V6, which also propels the Lexus ES330 and RX330 and Toyota Highlander, Sienna, and Solara. Still no manual transmission, but it would make the tC quite a rocketship. Supercharger's probably cheaper, though.

 

[JohnBM01]

Do you think we'll see a supercharged tC in the future, M5, based on your latest post? With all due respect, 160hp is good, but 225 is better. After all, Scion is a branch of Toyota, so why not look to your parent company to make your cars better? Look at Isuzu. I heard Isuzu went to GM for some advice in building a better SUV, and if they needed their parent company for a little help, then Scion can look to Toyota. But for Scion, I see them getting more of a kickstart rather than a bombshell.

In talking about the Echo/Vitz/Yaris, the car was told to be something we could play around with before Scion came around. Myself, personally, would have loved the hatchback version than the ugly first-gen Echo. As I said, I don't really like the xA. Many more people dislike the xB. But based on my introduction, xB units sold for about maybe 2,000 or 3,000 more than the xA. Why do you think the xB is having a better run in the States than the xA?

 

[MrktMkr1986]

Do you think we'll see a supercharged tC in the future, M5, based on your latest post? With all due respect, 160hp is good, but 225 is better.

Can the 3.3-liter V6 even fit in a tC?

 

[1X83Z]

Do you think we'll see a supercharged tC in the future, M5, based on your latest post?

It's already out - only a few months after release, TRD released a dealer-installed supercharger that brings power up to about 200. It's a $3000 option. Toyota's done this before - the 4Runner and Tundra had and have dealer-installed superchargers available, and I believe the Tacoma 3.4 used to as well.

I heard Isuzu went to GM for some advice in building a better SUV,

And look at them now - they're down to one product, of which they sell about 400 units worldwide each month. That company's headed for down.

Why do you think the xB is having a better run in the States than the xA?

It's more distinctive. Scion people get the xB; small car people consider the xA.

Can the 3.3-liter V6 even fit in a tC?

I really don't know, but working under skip's theory that if the 2.4 can fit, why not the 3.0; if the 3.0 can fit, why not the 3.3? It's a great engine and transmission.

 

[JohnBM01]

Want to do some boxing? No, I'm not stepping into the boxing ring at the MGM Grand against M5Power (he'd probably knock me out in the second or third round), but the Scion xB's future competitors in America will include the:

Nissan Cube:
http://www.autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=3085

Ford SYN-US Concept
http://www.gizmag.com/go/3592

Seriously, Ford... WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? How can an armored car beat the xB? Just joking, maybe. You already know Nissan and Toyota are longtime rivals. Just look at the yearly Toyota/Nissan battles in the JGTC. Is there any chance of seeing either one of these models taking on the xB and being the best new "box?" Speaking of boxing, as Mills Lane would say:

"Let's get it on!" Ring the bell, somebody!

 

[Diego440]

I think that's counterproductive. If you're from the US you've probably not noticed, but traditionally, American cars are friggin' big, except for the last European versions (the Ka, the Focus, etc). Still, even though the xB has gone against the whole standard of American automotive design, I only saw that as a fluke. Since the xB has been so successful (or more than predicted) the rest of the market has to offer competition. I just hope they stay within their own market and not start cross-over-ing and making the rest of the market smaller.

The xB is an excellent (or could be) choice for Europe because of its size and because it's a Toyota, and probably would be sold here pretty soon under the Toyota badge. But in the US? I mean, other than New York City, for what else would you require such a small car? Besides, petrol prices aren't that high in the US, as compared to Europe. Funny, when I lived in Venezuela everyone drove a V8 and filled the tank about 3 times a week, without any money problem, at less than 2 cents per litre!

 

[1X83Z]

Since the xB has been so successful (or more than predicted) the rest of the market has to offer competition.

I take issue with that - the xB has been successful, but it hasn't sold quite as well to its target market as Toyota wanted. 16-24 year olds just aren't interested. Chrysler had the very same problem with the PT Cruiser - it's not kids buying these things, it's 40+ -year-olds who think it's 'cute'. That's why the customization thing hasn't quite floated - most people aren't even opting for alloy wheels.

By the way - I also take issue with success breeds competition. The Subaru Outback is soon entering its tenth year with not one direct competitor, yet it is still one of the top ten selling vehicles in each major city west of the Mississippi RIver. Non-premium AWD wagons could potentially be the biggest segment in the US, but other brands basically refuse to join the fun.

The xB is an excellent (or could be) choice for Europe because of its size and because it's a Toyota,

Assumably Toyota has that base covered, either with a Toyota, or with a Daihatsu model. If they brought the xB over, they'd have to come up with a diesel and probably a third row of seats; it would require a lot of investment for a style that hasn't done too well in Europe (Suzuki Wagon R and Vauxhall Agila sell for crap - Europeans prefer mainstream stuff and mainstream the xB isn't, compared to, say, the Vauxhall Zafria).

 

[Diego440]

That's very true. Besides, Toyota is doing very well with the Yaris here to come and launch an additional product that could cannibalize their own sales. Good point.