Scion tC Series 5.0 Announced for Chicago Debut

Scion tC Series 5.0

Production limited to 2,000 units

By Michael Gauthier
February 10, 2009 3:30 PM
Filed Under: Chicago Auto Show, Japanese, Pricing, Scion

Scion has announced plans to debut their limited edition tC Release Series 5.0 at the Chicago Auto Show. For this year's special edition Scion went into the Toyota Racing Development (TRD) parts-bin and grabbed a lot of sporty accessories to give the model a more aggressive appearance.

The 2009 tC RS 5.0 features a gloss black exterior, 18-inch TRD wheels in matte black with red accents, and red TRD lowering springs for an improved appearance. A more meaningful change comes in the form of a new TRD rear sway bar which helps to improve the car's handling. The final exterior touch is the addition of a new TRD sport muffler which gives the exhaust a deeper and more menacing sound.

Inside the changes are relatively minor but include a black leather steering wheel with red stitching, black seats with red accents, TRD floor mats, and an individually numbered badge.

Production will be limited to 2,000 units and pricing starts at $19,300 which translates into a $2,300 premium over the standard tC.

Source: Scion via autoblog.com

Press Release (Click to expand)

SCION ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR tC RELEASE SERIES 5.0 - TO BE DISPLAYED AT THE 2009 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

Scion, of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., announced today that the only limited-production tC for 2009, the tC Release Series 5.0 (tC RS 5.0), will have a Toyota Racing Development (TRD) theme and be available at dealer showrooms in March. The 2009 tC RS 5.0 will be on display in the Scion space at the Chicago Auto Show, February 11-22, for media and public days.

The 2009 tC RS 5.0 features gloss black exterior paint and numerous performance products from TRD. TRD edition 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, in matte black with red trim, and red TRD lowering springs provide this tC with its menacing presence. For additional stability when cornering, the tC is fitted with a red TRD rear sway bar. A TRD sport muffler gives the tC RS 5.0 an aggressive sound signature, while a TRD exterior badge marks the car. A black rear lip spoiler will also be available.

The TRD theme is continued inside with a black leather steering wheel featuring red stitching, black seats with red accents and floor mats with the TRD logo. The tC RS 5.0 is also equipped with a cargo mat. Individually numbered badging completes the uniqueness of this vehicle.

No more than 2,000 units of the tC Release Series 5.0 will be built. The tC RS 5.0 model will carry a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $2,300 over the base price of the tC. The base MSRP for the standard tC with a manual transmission is $17,000, while the standard tC with an automatic transmission model carries a MSRP of $17,800. The available black spoiler has a MSRP of $285, not including installation.

The delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee for all Scion models is $670 and is not included in the MSRP. DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.