With stylish, youthful vehicles like the Nissan Cube and Kia Soul hitting the U.S. market, is Scion is still on the cutting edge? The xD and tC are getting rather long in the tooth after all, and even the iconic xB's edginess has been blunted.
Scion fired back at the doubters with the unveiling of its iQ concept at the New York Auto Show today. Based on the Toyota iQ microcompact, Scion's version turns a wild tuner's eye to the urban transportation pod with results that make the Brabus smart fortwo look restrained.
Scion turned to well known Toyota tuning and design firm Five Axis to modify the interior and exterior of the iQ, with wild results. Eighteen-inch wheels are pushed out to the corners of the 126.9-inch long vehicle, giving it a roller-skate stance. A widebody kit and front spoiler, HID driving lights and a center-mounted trapezoidal exhaust add uncommon touches to confirm that this is no low-buck penalty box.
The upgraded interior features rich materials and a ten-inch LCD screen that combines entertainment system and navigation controls. It can also play movies when the iQ is parked. It folds flat when not in use. The iQ will hold three adults and a child, or the small rear seats can be folded for additional cargo space.
A 93-horsepower 1.3 liter four-cylinder provides power, and the iQ's suspension has been upgraded by Tein with coil-overs. ABS and Toyota's Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) are also included.
Scion did not confirm whether it plans to sell a version of the iQ in the United States, but such a car would be a reasonable step for the company given the current high-visibility and popularity of the micro-compact smart car. Brought to the States at that level, the iQ would provide a slightly larger and more useful vehicle with similar high-efficiency and inner-city maneuverability, and could be just what Scion needs to recapture the attention of the hipsters again.
At the New York Auto Show today, Scion unveiled a special concept version of the iQ micro-subcompact car designed to meet the transportation needs of young urban trendsetters.
Scion’s iQ concept is a new urban vehicle with a revolutionary package that is just over 10 feet in length and accommodates three plus luggage. As more and more urban centers are revitalized with a new sense of purpose, energy, and creativity, young people are moving in from the suburbs to embrace new urbanism and are looking for a car that suits their needs and delivers high emotional value.
Scion’s iQ concept is the intelligent answer to this need for highly emotional and efficient urban transportation. The convenience of having work, entertainment and culture nearby for young city-dwellers is a significant draw to urban centers. The vehicle must be able to navigate narrow, congested streets, park in tight places, have impressive fuel economy, and have compelling design and function.
“Scion’s iQ concept turns traditional auto design upside down,” said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. “Traditionally small vehicles have been thought of as being basic. The iQ concept is just the opposite with its innovative features and iconic urban design, and we believe it fits in well within the Scion brand. Our young, trendsetting buyers are creative and innovative forward thinkers, and we think they will appreciate what iQ has to offer.”
The production iQ is currently sold in Japan and Europe. Five Axis of Huntington Beach, Calif. took the iQ to the next level with aggressive exterior and interior modifications that show the vehicle’s potential for personalization.
With its 78.7-inch wheelbase, the three-door hatchback can deftly maneuver through city traffic. At the same time, its overall length of 126.9-inches, overall width of 71.4-inches, and short front and rear overhangs allow the iQ to fit in virtually any city parking space. The front-mounted differential and repositioned steering rack decrease front end length. In addition, the iQ is equipped with a flat gas tank housed beneath the floor that reduces rear overhang.
Pushing the wheels of the small, bold concept towards the four corners of the body gives the iQ a confident stance. The custom 18-inch wheels with a nickel finish and wide tires fill the wheel well, adding to its surefootedness. The iQ’s custom front air dam, aero headlamps and high-intensity LED driving lamps signal urban road readiness.
“We believe the Scion iQ micro-subcompact concept is the future of transportation,” said Hollis. “If it should join our future line-up, I think it could reach iconic status like our xB. Its styling will attract attention and if it’s a Scion, you know it’ll be easy to personalize.”
The iQ’s profile is defined by a strong and high beltline. Smooth lines glide from the large, dark finish headlamps, up the A-pillar, across the roof and wrap around the rear emphasizing the concept’s geometric beauty. Side mirrors with integrated turn signals accent the clean design.
The rear emphasizes the vehicle’s modern style. Trapezoidal lines run toward the wheels, from the hatch to the thick rear diffuser, creating a substantial presence. A center-mounted trapezoid exhaust adds to the vehicle’s distinctiveness, while large, matte-finished rear taillights help keep the vehicle visible.
The iQ’s interior fuses function, style and entertainment. Attention to detail and modern accents can be seen in the illuminated door handle; the swiveling spotlight that hovers over the dash; an illuminated iQ logo on the passenger-side dash and nickel and raw aluminum toned interior panels. Iridescent green and gray honeycomb upholstery covering the door panels and seating areas, combined with the custom exterior paint, provides a balance of freshness and sophistication. Black matte scuba-like polyurethane covers the seat bolsters and is also used on the headliner with a bright green topstitch for a contemporary finish.
The iQ features a 10-inch panel LCD screen on top of the center cluster that serves as the main entertainment console and navigation system interface. With the push of a button, the touch-screen articulates to reveal the entertainment hub. The touch screen can also play movies while the vehicle is parked. When not in use, the screen lays flat on the dash with a translucent cover that emits a colorful display of light patterns to make the interior even more unique.
A few quick strokes to the black panel below the entertainment hub, or steering wheel controls, command the audio system to shuffle through a music library. The center cluster also features three control knobs for dual front heating and air conditioning settings. The driver and front passenger each have a knob that displays their desired temperature and controls their temperature and fan settings. The center knob dictates zone control for both occupants.
The instrument panel has a speedometer, warning lamps, and a multi-information display. The multi-information display allows the driver to toggle through the odometer, average speed, temperature and eco lamp. The eco lamp illuminates during efficient driving to help the driver achieve maximum fuel economy.
Comfortable front passenger legroom was achieved with a newly-engineered, compact air conditioning unit located behind the center of the front console. The iQ employs a glove bag, with the same textured, honeycomb fabric as the front and rear seats, that can be easily snapped on and off for storage or additional legroom.
Rear seating can accommodate one adult behind the front passenger and a child, small package, or pet behind the driver. Extra slim front seat backs provide rear passengers with legroom. The rear seats are 50/50 and fold flat for increased utility. In addition, the rear seat cushion lifts up to reveal a small flat storage space that can be used for pocket-sized portable music players, small books, digital cameras, or slim laptops.
The iQ does not skimp on safety and is equipped with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC); an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD); Brake Assist (BA); and nine SRS airbags, which includes the world's first rear window curtain airbag. Other airbags include driver and front passenger front airbags; driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags; side curtain airbags; a driver knee airbag; and a front passenger seat cushion airbag.
Preliminary Specs
POWERTRAIN
Engine:
1.3-liter, four-cylinder, VVT-i
Horsepower:
93 hp
Torque:
89 lb.-ft.
Drivetrain:
Front wheel drive
DIMENSIONS (inches)
Overall Length:
126.9
Overall Width:
71.4 without side mirrors
79.3 including side mirrors
Overall Height:
56.9 without antenna
62.5 including antenna
Wheelbase:
78.7
Seating Capacity:
3+1
MODIFICATIONS
Exhaust:
Five Axis custom stainless exhaust
Wheels:
Five:AD S6:F custom wheels with nickel finish prototyped by MetalFX
18x8.5 ET03
Tires:
Yokohama S.drive
2.5/40R18
Suspension:
TEIN Super Street coilover suspension
Body:
Five Axis widebody conversion
Burnt nickel accents
Custom accented headlights and taillights
Citizen_Cake
April 8, 2009 8:42 PM
