scion

Scion bringing nautical themed xB to SEMA Show

Whether you're a fan of its vehicles or not (and we're pretty split here at Car Tech), Scion's booth at the SEMA Show is always a treat. With the automaker's support of the aftermarket and a veritable army of customizers putting their individual spins on their xBs, tCs, and xDs, the Scion booth is always home to crazy customs and tricked-out tuners. Scion sent us a preview of this year's show cars, which includes a nautical themed xB dubbed The Squid and an All Stretched Out xB that's been extended by 48 inches into … Read more

Most, and least, reliable cars for 2011

Correction: We incorrectly reported that the Consumer Reports survey predicted the 2011 Chrysler Town & Country would rank as the least reliable car. In fact, Consumer Reports predicts that the 2011 Audi A6 3.0T will be the least reliable car for that model year. Chrysler brand vehicle are predicted to be the least reliable overall. We have changed the photo at the top of this blog to reflect our correction.

Consumer Reports published predictions for reliability of 2011 vehicle models based on what car owners told it of previous model year performance. Consumer Reports' survey asked 1.3 million … Read more

Next Aston Martin will be a luxury subcompact

Aston Martin made official what many industry watchers had already assumed; that it will be begin producing the tiny-but-luxurious Cygnet in 2011.

The Cygnet is a rebadged Toyota iQ equipped with the same 97hp 1.3-liter engine but outfitted with a high-end, sartorial interior that's been enveloped with hand-stitched leather. News sources are pegging the Cygnet with a price tag somewhere between $45,000 to $75,000, according to InsideLine.

It's a drastic break from Aston Martin's current line up of performance cars, but adding a fuel-sipper will help the British carmaker comply with tightening European emissions … Read more

Japan's big players plan a jolt of electrics

Japan's three largest automakers are making a push to extend their alternative-fuel power train offerings in the next two years.

Toyota Motor will bring two electric and six hybrid-electric models to market in the next 24 months, including a plug-in Toyota Prius. Lexus will move into entry-luxury with the CT 200h hybrid hatchback in 2011.

Nissan Motor will launch the all-electric Nissan Leaf sedan in five markets in December. Infiniti will introduce the M35h hybrid next spring and an all-electric four-seater in late 2012 or early 2013.

Honda Motor engineers are working on a hybrid platform for such large … Read more

Car Tech Live 187: Distracted driving, what's the real story? (podcast)

Distracted driving: what's the real story? Jaguar looks into an exotic sort of hybrid; BMW slaps an iPad behind your head; new app lets you slap lousy drivers upside the head, and we drive the 2010 Scion xD.

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) EPISODE 187 SHOW NOTES

• Distracted driving deaths fall 6% in the U.S.

• Chevy shows off Cruze EV

• BMW first with factory iPad mount?

• Modern electronics for vintage Porsches

• Take a ride in the 2010 Scion xD

Win a tC on Scion's virtual road trip

A couple of weeks ago Lexus launched an online game to promote its new Lexus hybrid, the CT 200h. On June 1, Scion kicks off an online game called Unlock the tC Road Trip, with a grand prize of a 2011 Scion tC. Toyota seems to have discovered the Internet.

Scion describes its game as a road trip from New York, through Miami, and ending up in Los Angeles. The game, and contest, runs for eight weeks, with a new section of the road trip opening up each week. According to the press release, there are "exciting side trips&… Read more

Poll: Best car from New York?

New York is the last major auto show of the season, and most automakers have already launched new models and concepts in Europe, Los Angeles, and Detroit, leaving little for the Big Apple. But a few automakers, notably Hyundai, hold back, using this otherwise quiet show to stand out from the crowd, and other automakers show off either cars that will play well in New York or special trim levels.

We went through our coverage from the show and found eight significant new cars. With a couple of exceptions, these cars are not particularly sporty or luxurious, tending more to the affordable and practical, the kinds of cars that actually make sense for a daily commute.

Check out the cars and vote for your favorite. … Read more

Scion launches its tiniest car

NEW YORK--Toyota started selling its iQ mini car in Japan two years ago, and in Europe last year. It comes to the U.S. with the same model name, but under the Scion badge, in early 2011. Scion officially launched the new iQ at the 2010 New York auto show.

Designed as an urban car, the iQ isn't big on power, its 1.3-liter four cylinder engine producing just over 90 horsepower. With its continuously variable transmission, Scion says it will get fuel economy in the high 30s.

Of equal interest to city dwellers is the car's size. … Read more

Kia, Infiniti, Scion plan big splashes in N.Y.

NEW YORK--Several Asian brands plan world debuts at the New York auto show this week.

Kia will show a stylish redesign of the Optima sedan, Infiniti is rolling out a new QX56 luxury SUV, and Scion is expected to show either its new iQ minicar or the next version of the tC coupe.

Meanwhile, Acura, Subaru and Suzuki plan variants of models already on sale. Mercedes-Benz will unveil a freshened R-class crossover. And Cadillac, Chevrolet and Lincoln are expected to show derivatives of existing vehicles.

Press conferences are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, March 31 and April 1. … Read more

Taking a kitchen sink approach to Scions at SEMA

Last year, Scion's booth at the SEMA Show was jam-packed with some of the craziest cars at the show. 2009 saw the continuation of that grand tradition.

This year, Scion brought out an xB with a built-in kitchen (sink and all!), another with its own dancefloor, and yet another that had been stretched into a pickup toting a matching custom scooter. Scion's other models also got some modding love in the form of a rally-prepped xD and a loud-and-low tC that seemed to have forgotten its roof.

Check out some of the wildest Scions of 2009 in our gallery.… Read more