It seems like most of the automotive world has largely forgotten about the Scion tC since the release of the incredible Scion FR-S. It’s understandable, I mean the tC a good little car that competes within an enormous segment of the market: small, sporty, inexpensive, front-wheel-drive economical coupes and hatchbacks. I don’t even want to start listing the long list of potential competitors. It’s a good, unique car for its price-point, and definitely worth a look for someone looking for a car in that class.

But ever since the highfalutin’ rear-wheel-drive Scion FR-S sports car was unveiled, most of us kind of forgot about the tC. Scion decided that at the 2013 New York Auto Show, they’re going to give some spotlight to the tC again.

The 2014 Scion tC is still a second-generation model, but it’s a moderate facelift. And I gotta say, it does look better than the last one.

The 2014 tC’s styling is more aggressive, as you can see, with new headlights and hood in the front along with LED-accented upper and lower grilles. In the rear, the lower valance is blacked-out for a touch of FR-S, along with new LED tail lights.

New dark gray 18-inch alloys are standard, and 2014 tC will be available in seven colors, two of them (Absolutely Red and Blue Streak Metallic) are new.

Inside, the tC comes with upgraded material and the new Scion Standard Display Audio featuring a 6.1-inch touchscreen LCD, which will be pushed out into all Scion models next year. This means that bluetooth, HD radio, and steering-wheel mounted controls – stuff that we almost expect nowaways – come standard. If you want a bit more tech, check the box for the BeSpoke Premium Audio and you’ll get sat nav, along with “the ability to connect compatible smart phones through Aha to access 30,000 free audio stations, including Scion’s own signature station featuring a lineup of its 17 music channels.” It also connects with service like Yelp, TripAdvisor, Facebook, Twitter, and more. Definitely a plus for the younger crowd they’re shooting for.

No real changes to the mechanics – it still has the 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine producing 179 hp and a standard manual gearbox, but it gets a new optional automatic transmission that claims to switch gears twice as fast as the outgoing version and taken from the FR-S, adds a throttle blip to match revs on downshifts. The suspension is also retuned a bit to give a sportier, less wobbly ride.

See how much this car should cost you. Hint: It's not MSRP - get Free Price Quotes at Edmunds.com

If you judge a car’s sticking power by the amount of speculation, modifications, renderings, and overall “chit chat,” Toyota’s managed to create a knock-out with their new GT86 sports car. Who wouldn’t love it, anyway? Not only is it Toyota’s first real sports car in over a decade (nearly two, really,) but it’s a damn good one no matter who made it. Yeah, it might be a bit underpowered on paper, but talk to anyone who’s driven it and they don’t care. After all, check out Luke’s review and competitive analysis of the GT86′s sister car, the Subaru BRZ.

Our pals over at Car Throttle, who named the GT86 2012′s Car of the Year, just sent us these high-res renderings of what they’re calling the Toyota GT86 Shooting Brake – a modification of the sexy coupe’s body to make it a bit more…practical. Take a look:

So what are the changes? Here’s what they’re thinking:

- Body length increased by 55mm
- Current fold-flat rear bench is ditched in favour of a practical 60/40 split
- Boot capacity increased from 243 litres to 298 litres, with seats down capacity at 1040 litres
- 0-62mph of 7.8 secs and 8.5 secs (manual/auto) due to 65kg weight increase
- UK pricing starts at £26,945 for manual and £28,445 for auto

Well, it could just make a new baby-daddy a happy man, not having to give up his dreams of a peppy RWD sports car just because he’s a family man. After all, even Ferrari’s doing it with the FF. With a slightly higher price tag, that is.

Our take? It might work in Europe; Toyota’s name is synonymous with practicality, and with Britain’s love obsession with hatches and getting the most storage space and fuel economy for the pound.

But don’t expect to see it any time soon in the States. First, this car is branded as the Scion FR-S for us, which means it’s a slightly different car with a slightly different purpose. Scion is a young and hip brand. While you’d think the target market would be spot-on for this car, I don’t think they’d sell many Scion FR-S Humpback Editions. There’s also the fact that there are plenty of other editions on the way. We know a high-performance version is in the pipeline – probably sporting a turbocharger and getting 250-ish HP (hopefully closer to 300) – and we can’t stop talking about it. Subaru will most like be calling theirs the BRZ STi, appropriately. We also know that they’re working on a Scion FR-S Convertible. Just like any sports car ever; like it or not, a convertible version is inevitable. We expect Toyota to have the GT-86 Convertible on display at the Geneva Motor Show this year, which we’ll be covering live.

Cool idea, and I think Toyota could explore this area. But for god’s sake, let’s get that turbocharged version out first, stat!

If you a purchaser of the latest in high-tech items but do not welcome the overnight line-up at an electronic store, you are perhaps very familiar with the process of waiting a special, desirable product. A case of days or weeks in many instances, there is also times where a specific item could be delayed for months or even years. Living in Canada, I remembered a five-year wait until satellite radio services were officially sold in the country.

For the case of some vehicles, the wait for certain vehicles to be officially welcomed to the United States has stretched decades. The Toyota Prius was first marketed in 1997 but would not be sold by the Japanese auto giant in North America until the 2000 calendar year. A similar, longer scenario played out in regards to the Nissan Cube that was brought to the United States after around a decade of enchanting its domestic market with the funky, odd shape. With the news of the world more accessible than ever, the word of a special vehicle spreads at the speed of light. For this reason, the game is up for automakers wanting to preserve the secret of concern cars and trucks limited to their selected marketplace.

Reflective of a more global auto market, the following vehicles are examples of how the North American car buyer has received a reward for patience:

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

First constructed in 1979, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class (earlier known as the G-Wagen) has been in continuous production since. A classic body-on frame, four-wheel drive sport utility vehicle, the G-Class was accepted by European buyers as well as by numerous militaries. With the United States love for large sport utility vehicles being especially strong during the late 1990s through to the 2000s, it made little sense why Mercedes-Benz chose to put priority to the M-Class crossover while keeping the G-Class out of the market. Eventually, Mercedes-Benz bowed to pressure by introducing the heavy sport utility vehicles to their North American line-up in 2002.

Though not officially going on sale in the United States until 2002, those with money and the desire for the G-Wagen or G-Class could acquire them through import channels. Some companies would import Mercedes-Benz G-Wagens and convert them to comply with American vehicle regulations. When Mercedes-Benz finally began importing the G-Class through their dealerships, those same buyers were actually saved money when comparing the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price to the ‘gray market’ importer cost.

In 2013, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has out-lasted the whole product line-up from the Hummer division as a pompous display of luxury and off-road capability in one vehicle. A Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG can also be selected containing 536 horsepower that can move the vehicle from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.3 seconds.

Ford Fiesta ST

For an auto company that started in the United States, it is surprising to see how many vehicles Ford Motor Company has produced for other markets but kept away from their domestic buyers. In 2005, Ford chose to present an all-new Focus to the European market while leaving North American buyers with the older Focus that wasn’t entirely revisited until the 2012 model year vehicle. 2005 was also the same year the Ford Fiesta ST debuted on European roads. In a marketplace where the Ford Mustang isn’t the name of performance for the Blue Oval, the need to improvise has created a variety of sport compact vehicles to fill the void. The side effect of creating some breath-taking small performance cars in Europe is the fact North American buyers will eventually see the vehicle and want it themselves.

Through the arrival of the Transit Connect, C-Max and the Transit van, Ford appears more open to sharing European-positioned vehicles with their stateside line-up. Under the weight of public outcry, the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show came highlighted by the announcement that the next generation Ford Fiesta ST is coming to North America. A 2014 model vehicle, the upcoming Fiesta ST features a 1.6 liter EcoBoost engine producing 197 fun-loving horsepower. The 2014 Ford Fiesta ST will join another long-time holdout Focus ST as examples of European small car performance present in United States showrooms.

Scion (Toyota) iQ

While it’s clear that Europe and Japan are big microcar markets, the wide, long roads of North America have not always delivered the same amount of love for smaller vehicles. Referred to as microcar, city car and super compact, the vehicle segment has attracted several serious automakers with fuel economy standards set to more than double in some world regions by 2025. In 2007, Toyota debuted a concept called the iQ that entered production in late 2008. A 120.1-inch long vehicle powered by a small engine, the Toyota iQ began running about Japan and Europe in award-winning fashion.

Interesting enough, British luxury carmaker Aston Martin had reached out to Toyota so they can build their own iQ microcar. Called the Cygnet, the Aston Martin super compact car is significantly dressed up version of the iQ meant to satisfy their clientele. While it’s questionable whether the US auto market would accept a luxury city car let alone the general vehicle type, Toyota realizes that a growing influx of smaller vehicles into the North American marketplace is enough to sell the iQ.

Four years since being named the Car of the Year in Japan, the iQ can now roam United States and Canadian roads. Seeing the vehicle as more tempting as first-time new car buyers, Toyota decided to marry the iQ into the Scion brand. Priced at a nifty $15,385 starting price, the 2013 Scion iQ also sports super-efficient fuel economy numbers of 37 miles per gallon highway.

Audi TT RS

Kept away from the subcompact Audi A1 and such high performance offerings as the RS6 Avant, the North American market is understandably unnerved by being overlooked concerning certain models. However, as Audi has devoted a greater global focus to their product line, there seems to be some optimism for United States customers wanting something more from Volkswagen Group’s premium luxury division. With the Audi Q3 crossover all-but here, modern motoring times has also allowed many of the specialty RS vehicles to cross the Atlantic.

For the 2012 model year, the North American marketplace was treated to the hyper-powered edition of Audi’s entry-level TT sports car. The Audi TT RS had brought all 360 horsepower from its TFSI 2.5-liter engine to the United States after nearly three years in Europe. Since the TT RS was set loose on the Autobahn and other roadway in European locales, hardcore Audi fans stateside led a fierce campaign to bring the car over the ocean. When Audi posted a petition on their Facebook page with 11,500 respondents requesting the TT RS, the auto company finally concurred that the sports car belonged in the marketplace. Arriving only as the TT RS Coupe, this vehicle brought some life back to Audi’s smaller sports car.

Nissan GT-R

The story of the Nissan GT-R’s arrival to the United States was a long one. Connected to the Nissan Skyline for nearly four decades, the GT-R badge was one of the Japanese leading supercars remaining as a long held secret for the land of the rising sun. Thanks to the enthusiastic launch of the compact tuner car market during the 1990s, the all-wheel driver, twin-turbocharged engined Nissan Skyline GT-R was vaunted into the world spotlight. So desired, versions of the Nissan Skyline GT-R was a product of various second-hand importing attempts. For the most part, the desired R-32 to R-34 variants of the Nissan Skyline GT-R built between 1989 to 2002 was illegitimately brought into the United States.

At last, the time had come in 2008 that the GT-R moniker grew into its own supercar. By doing so, the Nissan GT-R was free to enjoy its first legal trip to the United States. Incorporating the latest performance-oriented ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive and originally the twin-turbo 3.8 liter V-6 engine that originally cranked out 480-horsepower, the Nissan GT-R became and continues to strike terror in a challenging Porsche 911 and Chevrolet Corvette. Producing a mammoth 545 horsepower for under 3 second launches from 0 to 60 miles per hour, the 2013 Nissan GT-R is very much the fans of the brawny Japanese supercar wanted to see (though the just under $100,000 base price may not be).

Which cars are you glad that you’re finally able to see in the States?

Information source: Audi AG, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company, Nissan North America, Toyota Motor Corporation
Photo source: Chris Nagy, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company, Nissan North America

When Toyota introduced the Scion brand in 2002, their goal was to develop a brand that would attract young buyers into the Toyota family. And when Akio Toyoda Toyota’s CEO took over a few years ago, he infused the brand with a new spirit. Toyoda loves fast cars and is a certified test driver for Germany’s famed Nurburgring. Before the creation of the FR-S, Toyoda was quoted as saying, “where is the passion in our lineup?, I want to build a sports car.” Toyoda delivered by developing a partnership with Subaru in a joint venture that resulted in building the 2013 Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ compact rear-wheel-drive sports cars.

Toyota needed the Subaru boxer engine because of its low center of gravity which is ideal for a front-engine rear-drive sports car. The 2013 Scion FR-S uses the Subaru 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder that produces 200 horsepower and 151 lb. ft. of torque. Toyota contributed by sourcing its cutting-edge D-4S direct and port injection that comes from the Lexus IS F.

Performance on the track

This driver had a chance to take the all-new two-door sports car out on the track earlier this summer on a challenging race circuit. High Plains Raceway is located east of Denver and is a 2.5 mile circuit featuring 15 turns and significant elevation changes. The FR-S was taken on 3 fast laps to check out performance and handling on the challenging curves. This tester came with a six-speed manual transmission that allows the driver better control through the corners.

The Scion FR-S performed as advertised through the tight corners. The FR-S design gives the car a dynamically favorable front-to-rear weight ratio of 53:47 and a low center of gravity comparable to some exotic supercars. Toyota uses a MacPherson strut front suspension while the rear gets a complex multilink setup, with disc brakes on all four corners. The car weighs just 2,800 pounds and utilizes an aluminum hood to save weight.

Get the six-speed manual

On the track, the FR-S was driven hard and under full acceleration, it delivered good punch on the long straightaway. The coupe was able to reach close to 100 mph and felt stable at high speeds. The long stretch of straight road gives way to a series of tight corners where the two-door sports car remained composed and took the turns with very little body roll. The four-wheel-disc brakes didn’t fade and response was immediate and confident.

The six-speed manual gear box performed perfectly with short throws producing quick and accurate shifts going in and coming out of the corners. The electrically assisted steering felt tight and exact and the car went in the direction it was pointed. During the three hard laps, the suspension never bottomed or had a moment when too much speed was an issue. The only complaint about the 2013 Scion FR-S would be its lack of a turbocharger.

An affordable sports car 

The 2013 FR-S starts at $24,955 with a six-speed manual transmission, and $26.055 when mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that features paddle shifters and Dynamic Rev Management technology. The FR-S has EPA-estimated ratings of 34 mpg/highway with the automatic, and 22/30 city/highway mpg with the manual transmission.

The first Scion to offer BeSpoke

This FR-S tester came with the Firestorm Red exterior and a black interior that is an attractive combination. Inside, the Scion FR-S sports 2+2 seating with a fold down rear seats for maximum cargo carrying capability. A leather-trimmed steering wheel is standard and has both tilt and telescopic adjustment. The driver can find a comfortable driving position, but the cockpit feels a bit tight. The FR-S is considered a four-seater, but the rear seat is small and really only big enough for small kids. Consider the sports coupe a two seater with extra cargo space in the back.

The FR-S comes standard with features like an eight-speaker AM/FM/CD/USB 300-watt Pioneer audio system, HD Radio and Bluetooth connectivity. The FR-S is the first Scion to offer a connected multimedia audio system called BeSpoke, powered by Pioneer’s Zypr.  When connected to an iPhone, BeSpoke will offer a higher level of connectivity features and personalized content like Facebook, Twitter, and Internet radio.

The Scion FR-S is available in seven colors including Raven, Asphalt, Hot Lava, Argento, Ultramarine, Firestorm and Whiteout. The Scion FR-S is an affordable sports coupe and certainly fun to drive on the road during the week, and especially well-suited for weekends on the track.

See how much this car should cost you. Hint: It's not MSRP - get Free Price Quotes at Edmunds.com

For sports cars, there is a traditional launch playbook. Coupe comes first and then a convertible later to boost interest and sales into the car’s model cycle. The Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ are still riding high on a lot of pent up demand, but Autocar is looking ahead to the convertible model. Toyota originally wouldn’t confirm or deny a convertible, but we all knew one was coming.

According to the report, the drop top will debut (as a Toyota GT-86) at the Geneva Motor Show next March. Scion previously confirmed a launch date for early 2014, meaning either that has been moved up, or the convertible will be launching internationally first.

The FR-S was designed from the beginning to be offered as a convertible, eliminating the need for a lot of extra bracing to stiffen things up. The standard car was developed with a focus on pure performance, eliminating unnecessary weight that would distract from that goal. The result is an incredibly well-balanced and light-weight sports car with a great price tag.

The convertible will live up to those goals as well. Instead of a heavy and expensive retractable hard-top system like a lot of today’s convertibles, the FR-S will have traditional soft-top. The need for extra space will require the elimination of the rear seats, which weren’t usable anyway. Under the hood, the car’s 200 horsepower 2.0-liter boxer four will remain the same. Many enthusiasts are hoping a power upgrade is in the works. While it certainly isn’t slow with 200 hp, the FR-S is begging for more power. Turbo charging that puts it near the 300 hp mark would be great.

The annual SEMA Show, as you may know, is all about customization. Taking a car and making it your own. And it’s an enormous industry. Unfortunately, it seems like every year that passes, vehicles become less customizable. Look at the American musclecars of the 60s and 70s for example. They were so simple – anybody with some basic mechanical knowledge and a willingness to learn (and make mistakes) could do whatever they damn well wanted to their cars with little consequence.

Nowadays though, it’s a lot tougher. The more computers that manufacturers put on their cars (and there are a LOT of computers in new cars,) the more difficult it is to tinker with them. That leaves us, the garage-mechanics who just want to replace a few parts here and turn a few dials there, in a tough spot.

Luckily, there are still a few manufacturers out there that build vehicles that allow us to mess around with them under the hood. It’s still not as easy as it used to be, and it never will be. But for now, at least, we still have a few options.

That’s why SEMA put together their annual “Hottest” award in four categories, telling us which car, sport compact, truck, and 4×4 SUV are the most “tuner-friendly.”

So, how are these winners determined? Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO, tells us: “The SEMA Award helps guide consumers toward the hottest-trending and most accessory friendly vehicles on the market. Our SEMA Show exhibitors are industry visionaries who determine the winners of the SEMA Award based on the vehicles they showcase in their booths. Each booth vehicle represents a ‘vote’ and the most prominent models in each category are the winners.” Easy enough to calculate, no judges needed. So, who are the winners?

Hottest Car: Ford Mustang

Right, act like your surprised. There are more parts and accessories available for this car than there are cars available to buy. Even Ford can’t seem to stop making new and special editions of it.

Hottest Sport-Compact: Scion FR-S (Toyota GT86)

This is good news, because I wants me an FR-S. Or a Subie BRZ…haven’t decided yet. Brings me back to the good ol’ days of the early 90s, where small, front-engine, RWD sports cars were still cool (they were never not cool, BTW.) I’m hoping to see lots of new products for this car, and I don’t mean a crapload of steering wheels, stickers, and wheels.

Hottest Truck: Ford F-Series

No surprise here either, the F-Series is the most popular truck in the world, by far. And rightfully so. I’m alright with people customizing this thing, just please leave off the Truck Nutz. Seriously.

Hottest 4×4-SUV: Jeep Wrangler

Another good choice – I’m not much of a 4×4 guy, but if I were to buy one, I’d go straight to the Wrangler.

What do you think of the winners? Do you think they got it right?

Thanks to a need to boost Corporate Average Fuel Economy scores and California regulations, Toyota has to produce some pure electric vehicles. It didn’t have a vehicle program ready though, so it turned to Tesla for the RAV4 EV. With the Scion iQ EV though, Toyota branched out on its own and announced that 2012 would be “the year.”

There was some problems with the idea though. Does a car with 50 miles of electric range sound appealing to you? It doesn’t to us either. With the Scion iQ EV program, Toyota has come around to what the rest of the world already knew. The iQ EV is still launching, but Reuters reports that it will be in extremely limited quantities. Extremely limited as in 100 iQ EVs split between the United States and Japan.

Yeah, that’s extremely limited alright. While it is still moving forward with the RAV4 EV, Toyota is signaling that it has little interest in pure electrics. The company released a statement that explains it all:

“Toyota has seen that many customers are not yet willing to compromise on range, and they don’t like the time needed to re-charge the batteries. Moreover, the infrastructure for recharging has not become as widespread as originally anticipated. So, even though Toyota is ready with the iQ EV, we believe a plug-in hybrid solution offers a better way than pure electric for most customer needs in the short- to medium-term, and that is where we will concentrate our commercial activities.”

Toyota is casting its lot with the plug-in electric vehicle crowd. From the standpoint of a mainstream-focused entity like Toyota, it makes sense. For most customers, having a car with 20 to 50 miles of electric range and gas power after that is a much better solution. Until electric can get to around to offering a 300-mile range affordably, we doubt they will see much mainstream adoption. Someone needs to figure out a plug-in electric with about 100 miles of range and a tiny diesel engine. It probably would be little used, but it would provide the long-distance traveling ability that many require for a first or only vehicle.

In Scion’s ever-expanding lineup of special edition Release Series (RS) cars, they’ve just released details and pricing on the eighth RS version of the tC coupe – not surprisingly called the tC RS 8.0.

The RS 8.0 is the second Release Series since Scion introduced the second generation tC in 2010. The first, the tC RS 7.0, featured a very loud yellow along with the usual Release Series treatment.

So what can you expect in the RS 8.0? A slightly quieter paint scheme called “Absolutely Red” (in case you were concerned as to how red it actually was,) along with gloss black side mirrors and just as black 18-inch alloys to match. You’ll also stand out with a new five-piece body kit that includes front and rear lower valences, side skirts and a rear spoiler.

Inside, you’ll find it a bit more subtle than previous RS models, too. Red stitching lines the steering wheel and cloth black sport seats, and the usual numbered plaques are all you’ll notice that’s changed from the regular tC. Unless you opt for the $1,050 6-speed automatic, then you’ll also get some paddle shifters.

TRD had a small hand in the 2013 Scion tC RS 8.0 as well, lowering it a tad and swapping out the exhaust with their own version that pops out the center of the rear valance.

So, while it may seem that Scion is being a bit lazy this year, I think it’s a worthwhile choice if you like what’s on offer. It’ll make your tC stand out, hopefully increase resale value (only 2000 are being made,) and save you from doing some of the work yourself. It’s not extreme, but a lot of people prefer something a bit more subtle than the “High Voltage Yellow” of last year’s.

The tC RS 8.0 starts at $22,545 including delivery and will be on sale later this month. Do you wish they would have gone a little crazier with this one, or do you like the more subtle changes?

Check out the video below and the photo gallery with many more images below that.

See how much this car should cost you. Hint: It's not MSRP - get Free Price Quotes at Edmunds.com

We’ve talked to our local Scion dealer, and they have seen a very high level of interest in the FR-S. In fact, there is two red ones out in front right now, and they are both already spoken for. Each time we drive by, people are standing around them taking a look.

All this floor traffic is much-welcomed, and it isn’t just a development limited to our local dealer. According to The New York Times, both the Scion FR-S and its Subaru BRZ twin are flying off dealer lots across the country. So much so in fact that they are the the fastest-selling cars in the industry right now.

The BRZ sits on the lot for four days, with the FR-S close behind at five days. For a lot of enthusiasts, these cars are a big deal. For years now, they have been endlessly covered (Toyabaru, etc). That kind of coverage always translate into actual sales though, so we were eager to see how these cars were going to be received. So far, the initial impressions are good – and they are surpassing the expectations of their builders. Demand right now far outstrips supply.

Subaru planned to sell just 6,000 BRZ coupes this year, a very conservative number. FR-S is a bit above that, with a planned 10,000. In Japan, BRZ demand was four times what Subaru planned. Next year, Scion plans to sell 20,000 units, a figure that seems just about right to us. The genius of the free market is that generally (there are exceptions), if you’ve got a good product it is going to sell well. To enthusiasts, cars aren’t commodities though – they are far more of an emotional decision. The sparse, handling-focused nature of these two cars is something that people are responding to. Hopefully a positive response will cause Toyota to green light more enthusiast-focused projects in the future.

See how much this car should cost you. Hint: It's not MSRP - get Free Price Quotes at Edmunds.com

Toyota developed their younger brand Scion to bring out new vehicles like the Scion iQ. In a brilliant marketing move ten years ago, Toyota founded the Scion brand to appeal to Gen Y consumers and now to the Millennial generation. Scion, who boasts the youngest customer base in the industry, has been very successful with younger buyers with their unconventional styling. And now Scion has moved into the microcar segment with the all-new iQ 3-door Liftback.

The Scion iQ will appeal to young city-dwellers who are looking for a fuel-efficient small maneuverable commuter car. The Scion iQ isn’t the first brand to build a microcar and has the Smart ForTwo hatchback and the Fiat 500 as competitors. The 2012 Scion iQ is somewhere in the middle between the two in size at 20 inches shorter than the Fiat, but 14 inches longer than the Smart. The iQ has an interesting styling and architecture that neither of its competitors shares.

Not your average microcar

Yes, the iQ is tiny, but there are several features that allow the little hatchback to remain small without forcing the occupants to feel like they are riding on top of a rollerskate. The 2012 Scion iQ is proportionately wider than other cars. This does two important things; it allows for more interior space, and it gives greater stability on the road. Those two things give the iQ an advantage over the competition.

Toyota engineers were also able to give the microcar from Scion some unique space-saving design components to aid in the Scions roomy cabin. They were able to build a smaller front-mounted differential and air conditioning unit, as well as a high-mount steering rack with electronic power-steering. And the development of a flat gas tank that fits beneath the floor reduces rear overhang.

The cabin has a larger feel

Inside the cabin, the driver and passenger have a feeling of roominess not found in the other microcars. Behind the wheel, the Scion iQ gives the driver a feeling of being in a compact car, not a microcar. If you don’t turn around and look in the back, you don’t feel cramped for space. The wide stance and full-size doors make the iQ feel bigger than it looks on the outside. Scion tells us the space between the front seats is larger than that of Toyota’s Yaris or Corolla models.

But the backseat is really nothing more than a cargo area of 16.7 cubic feet with the rear seats flat. Even with the rear seats up, small children would be hard pressed to take a trip longer than a few miles. But for someone who doesn’t carry more than one passenger, the iQ will haul two people and their luggage just fine.

The 2012 Scion IQ ($15,265) comes well equipped with air conditioning, cloth seats, full power, a leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel with audio controls, 50/50 split folding rear seats, Bluetooth handsfree phone system and a four-speaker, 160-watt Pioneer audio system with HD radio, single MP3/WMA CD player, USB and auxiliary audio ports. TRD offers some sporty extras like performance springs and TRD anti-sway bars.

Fuel-efficient and peppy

Under the hood, the iQ is powered by a 1.3-liter, four-cylinder engine that makes a modest 94 horsepower and 89 pound-feet of torque. But because the iQ only weights 2127 pounds, the little microcar has a surprising amount of power. The 1.3-liter engine is mated to a CVT automatic transmission that isn’t much fun, but helps achieve the 36/37 city/highway fuel mileage. The only complaint we have with the Scion iQ is that it needs a manual transmission option.

We drove the 2012 Scion IQ equipped with the TRD suspension goodies, and the wider track kept the IQ feeling stable, even at high speeds. Acceleration is surprisingly peppy for only having 94 horsepower even when carrying two people. Where the small microcar shines is zipping in and out of traffic in the city. Sharp steering and a tiny turning radius of only 13 feet make for some fun maneuvers in parking lots and easy navigation through narrow city streets.

For that city-dweller seeking fuel-efficiency, easy maneuverability, and doesn’t need to carry more than one passenger, the iQ is a well-designed small commuter car.

See how much this car should cost you. Hint: It's not MSRP - get Free Price Quotes at Edmunds.com

The Scion FR-S was just introduced, and Toyota apparently has big plans for the platform that underpins it. Developed to be sporty and light, sources say it will provide the basis for future Toyota performance vehicles.

Developing a new architecture for one car just doesn’t make sense anymore. The program got off to a good start by having Subaru also utilize it for the BR-Z. While the FR-S hasn’t even been delivered in the United States yet, the rumor mill is already churning about what is next for the FR-S.

According to Car & Driver, it will be a convertible. That means Scion is following a typical release strategy – introduce a two-door performance coupe, followup with a convertible later to stimulate interest. A FR-S Roadster was shown off in California recently, but C&D says a traditional soft top is in the works for the FR-S. Don’t expect any fancy hardtops either, which would only jack up the weight and price.

The price tag will go up though, but likely will be kept under the $30,000 barrier, which for some would be a lot of money to shell out for a vehicle with the Scion badge. The convertible, along with any other variants, are said to be about two years out. Right now Toyota and Subaru are just keeping up with demand. We’ll see more options and a turbocharged model come in the future. What we’d like to see is an FR-S sedan. Imagine a four-door, RWD FR-S sedan for about $25K. We could see a lot of enthusiasts with families going for that. Lexus is said to be using the platform for either the next-generation IS or another small sedan. If that happens, we may be less likely to see a small sedan at Scion. Regardless, we’re excited about the potential for new products based on this platform.

For a while we’ve been wondering about the future of the Scion brand. The past few years it has largely been stagnant except for the redesigned tC. Then came the iQ and Toyota’s announcement that the FT-86 would be sold as a Scion FR-S. That was an important step in determining the future of the Scion brand. Sales at Scion need a boost: xB and xD were just cut recently due to poor sales.

When that announced, we concluded Scion was in need of fresh investment and renewed direction. Apparently Toyota has been thinking the same thing. Automotive News reports that Toyota has decided on a path forward after a nine month review of the brand. Scion has always been known for its funkiness and emphasis on the youth market. Instead of being “out there” though, the plan is apparently to move to a more mainstream approach.

This has already been seen to a certain extent in advertisements for the FR-S. That car doesn’t need any gimmicks to sell itself. As for the replacement for the xB though, Vice President Jack Hollis said it might not be called xB, or even be a box. “We may not replace the xB by name, one-for-one,” says Hollis. “The first generation, we needed the box. The second generation, we still liked the box, but we started looking for things that would stand out like the box. No one is saying [the next one] has to be a box.” Thinking outside the box right?

Last year, Scion buyers had an average age of 43, compared to the industry average of 51. That makes Scion the most youthful brand in the industry. At launch though, Scion had an average buyer age of 45. It is clearly trending older, and Scion is going to try to balance the between the two. Generation Y isn’t the primary focus at Scion anymore apparently. Scion has built its whole brand image on being funky and different though so we aren’t sure going mainstream is the best thing. Hyundai and Kia seem to have stolen a bit of Scion’s thunder with the Veloster and Soul. With attributes like fuel economy and “precise handling” on the list for Scion, we may be seeing some different type of Scions than ever before. For Toyota, hopefully they are better selling ones too.

Connected and very technology savvy, the younger driving crowd test drives a full assortment of vehicles in the virtual world. Through incredible rich video gaming experiences such as the Gran Turismo and Project Gotham Racing series, it’s possible for some gamers to become completely familiar with a car without stepping into a dealership.

Another notable driving game in what is a wide selection of racing titles is MotorStorm RC. Recently introduced for the Sony Playstation 3 and the all-new Playstation Vita handheld console, North American Toyota brand Scion positioned their newly released iQ subcompact car. As a real-world vehicle starting at $15,265, 2012 iQs will bring the gaming experience of MotorStorm RC and other Sony Playstation Vita titles to Scion buyers of the mini car. From May 1st to July 31st, purchase of the nifty, fuel-efficient Scion iQ will come with an additional perk from a popular electronic entertainment device company.

A $250 premium, the Sony Playstation Vita portable gaming console will be a hot inclusion with the Scion buying experience. A highly evolved game unit, the Sony Playstation Vita delivers a new generation of on-the-go entertainment (provided when you are not behind the wheel of the Scion iQ. Speaking in regards to the latest dealer promotion with Sony, Scion vice president Jack Hollis declares the product pairing with the iQ as an ideal match. “Similar to the PS Vita, the Scion iQ comes loaded with premium technological features, has a focus on functionality, is concentrated into a suitably small package and most importantly is tons of fun.” said Hollis.

While the high-profile offering of a game console with a car purchase is unique for Toyota, high-profile portable electronics have been paired with another vehicle sale as of late. Every 2011 model of the Hyundai Equus luxury sedan, an Apple iPad is standard pre-loaded with the interactive owner’s manual. Hyundai discontinued the inclusion of the Apple iPad into the 2012 model year. Considering the fact the Equus retail price of $59,000, the Scion iQ deal with the Sony Playstation Vita could be seen as a better bang for the buck.

The partnership with the Sony Playstation Vita comes as Toyota’s youth-oriented brand fights gain greater support from their target demographic. The rock-bottom price on the Scion mini-car (sometimes referenced as a kei-car in parts of the world) met with a standard feature package that includes 11 air bags, 160-watt Pioneer stereo system and Bluetooth connectivity should make the Sony Playstation Vita icing on the cake after nearly 37 miles per gallon driving during the upcoming summer season.

Information and photo source: Toyota Motor Corporation

Scion recently cut the xB and xD compacts, leading to a more performance-biased, youth-oriented lineup than ever before. For 2013 there will be just the FR-S, tC and iQ. Clearly the FR-S is the best car to ever wear the Scion badge, and we think its arrival will do a lot for Scion’s credibility in the youth market.

Recently media previews were held for the car in the United States, and Jack Hollis, Scion’s vice president, spoke about sales expectations to Wards Auto. So far, Scion has logged 1,243 orders and an impressive 27,00 hand raisers for the FR-S, which is goes on sale June 1st. This year, they expect to sell about 10,000 units, with that amount rising to 20,000 thereafter.

On the other hand, Subaru expects to sell about 5,000-7,000 units of the slightly more expensive BRZ. Scion plans to keep each dealer stocked with about one car, with availability just below demand. “We’re confident we can sell every one we get our hands on” said Hollis. Hollis thinks that if customers have to wait a bit for their cars, they will have more time to think about accessories and the like. Last month, Scion brought together aftermarket companies at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association.

There they measured the car, vital to get the ball rolling on exterior accessories. Given Scion’s willingness to work with aftermarket companies and a unique warranty arrangement designed to spur this activity, there is going to be a lot of accessories coming out for this car. Scion itself is offering accessories direct, such as a Five Axis body kit that Hollis has purchased for his personal FR-S. Interestingly, Scion is expecting a good portion of the sales to be to an older demographic. The projection is for a high percentage of males (of course), with an average annual income of $55-60,000. The FR-S starts at $24,200 for the base six-speed manual, $25,300 for the automatic and it goes on sale June 1st.

It’s a costly endeavor starting a new brand from scratch. Just ask Hyundai, which is reticent about spending the cash to launch a new luxury brand, despite the possibility of juicy profit margins. Scion has been an interesting exercise for Toyota. The Toyota brand itself has lost a lot of younger buyers. Scion was pitched as a way to fix that, positioned as an “experimental” division.

Roughly nine years later, Scion is announcing that it is cutting two models – the xB and xD. The xB is the car that started it all for Scion, and it is being cut? Crazy we know. The boxy original was successful – the redesign, not so much. The original sold in nee volumes, which begs the question why Scion doesn’t try to take the xB back to the basics for another go at it. The original had a formula that worked.

Ironically Hyundai/Kia seems to have usurped Scion’s position with the Veloster and the Soul. They’re doing something right over there. If it wasn’t for the new FR-S being launched as a Scion, we’d be wondering about the future of the brand. We still are a bit…

As of today, the lineup will include the FR-S, iQ and the tC coupe.The iQ won’t be a volume seller, so it’ll be interesting to see what else is in the works for the brand going forward. Given that Scion dealers are within Toyota stores though, there isn’t as much of an impetus to push for heavy volume. Placing FR-S over at Scion makes even more sense in light of these cuts to the product line. If you’ll remember, some of the Scions of the past actually appealed to many older buyers. For the first time we could see the FR-S bringing in a heavily youth-dominated demographic to the brand. Give us more cars like the FR-S (such as a sedan version!) at Scion and we’ll be happy. To have a hope of succeeding, somewhere along the line Scion will need to define what it wants to be again.