Scion tC

Scion tC
Overview
Manufacturer Toyota Motor Corporation
Production 2004–2016
Model years 2005–2016
Assembly Tsutsumi, Japan
Body and chassis
Class Sport compact
Body style 2-door hatchback
Layout FF layout
Platform Toyota "T"
Related Toyota Avensis

The Scion tC is a sport compact coupe manufactured by Toyota and sold under the Scion division in North America; introduced in the United States in June 2004 and 2010 in Canada. Despite many cosmetic differences among all model years, the tC only maintains two distinct generations. Beginning in 2011, the tC is sold as the Toyota Zelas in the Middle East, China and South America,[1] a name derived from "zelante", Italian for "passionate" or "zealous." It is not sold in Japan or in any other right-hand drive market.

First generation

Scion tC series ANT10
Overview
Production 2004–2010
Model years 2005-2010
Body and chassis
Related Toyota Avensis
Powertrain
Engine 2.4 L 2AZ-FE straight-4
Transmission 4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 106.3 in (2,700 mm)
Length 174.0 in (4,420 mm)
Width 69.1 in (1,755 mm)
Height 55.7 in (1,415 mm)
Curb weight 2,905 lb (1,318 kg) (manual) 2,970 lb (1,350 kg) (automatic)
Scion tC

Toyota debuted the production tC at the January 2004 NAIAS with sales beginning in June 2004 as a 2005 model year. The Scion tC was designed to appeal to the Millennial market.[2] Toyota hoped to do so by making standard features numerous and optional features extremely easy to add as well as giving the car a sporty flair. The Scion tC shares its chassis with the Avensis[3][4] and uses a MacPherson strut front and double wishbone rear suspension. Its low price (base MSRP of US$17,670 for the 2009 model with manual transmission) is a major feature, as well as the pure "monospec" pricing marketing style that Toyota has adopted. This generation was not sold in Canada.

Standard equipment included power windows, cruise control, air conditioning, keyless entry, mirror-mounted turn signal lights, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, a 160-watt Pioneer sound system with CD player, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a panoramic moonroof.

The tC received a minor facelift in 2007 for the 2008 model year that included a revised grille and new head and taillights.

A bare-bones version of the Scion tC known as the Spec Package was offered without many of the standard accessories. The Scion tC Spec Package replaces the 17-inch (430 mm) alloy wheels with 16-inch (410 mm) steel wheels and seven spoke wheel covers. The glass roof is fixed in place and the steering wheel is made of urethane instead of wrapped leather and lacks stereo controls; cruise control is also not offered and many other minor interior and exterior changes. This model, which is meant to serve as a blank slate to the tuner market, was offered in only four colors: Super White, Flint Mica, Black Sand Pearl and Classic Silver Metallic. MSRP was $1,400 less than the standard model. The Spec Package was discontinued for the 2009 model year.

The model was Scion's best seller, reaching over 79,125 units sold in 2006,[5] but the car's sales quickly dwindled by 2010, only moving 15,204 units.[6] A 2nd generation was released for the 2011 model year.

Car and Driver praised the 2005 tC for its list of accessories but criticized it for low headroom in the backseat and low cargo room.[7]

Specifications

Safety

NHTSA crash test ratings (2006)[9]

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Scion tC an "Acceptable" overall score in both the frontal offset and side impact crash tests.[10][11]

All Scion tCs come standard with 4-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock brakes. For 2008 models, front seat-mounted side torso airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags, and a driver's knee airbag became standard. Front passenger classification was also added, allowing dual stage control of airbag release dependent upon the weight of the passenger.[12] Vehicle Stability Control is not offered.

Second generation

Scion tC series AGT20
Overview
Also called Toyota Zelas (Central America, China, Middle East, Africa, South America)
Production 2010 – August 2016[13]
Model years 2011–2016
Assembly Japan: Toyota, Aichi (Tsutsumi plant)[14]
Powertrain
Engine 2.5 L 2AR-FE straight-4
Transmission 6-speed automatic
6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 106.3 in (2,700 mm)
Length 174.0 in (4,420 mm)
Width 70.7 in (1,796 mm)
Height 55.7 in (1,415 mm)
Curb weight 3,090 lb (1,402 kg) (Manual)
3,160 lb (1,433 kg) (Auto)

2011–2013

Scion tC

The replacement model debuted at the April 2010 New York Auto Show, and appeared in U.S. dealerships in October 2010. It received a performance bump; with the new engine being carried over from the Toyota Camry being a 2.5 liter I4 2AR-FE engine producing 180 hp (130 kW) and 174 lb·ft (236 N·m).[15] Like the first generation, the chassis remained a variant of the Toyota Avensis, the model using the third generation chassis. Visually, the second generation is a toned-down variant of the Scion Fuse concept, featuring a similar rear quarter-panel window line to the concept but with xB-styled blacked-out A-pillars. The headlights, taillights and grille received a makeover to make the car seem more muscular and angular.[16] It continued to receive very high safety marks, an all-glass roof, roomy interior, and a hatchback design. Other changes included a wider track, standard 18-inch (460 mm) wheels, larger brake discs, faster engine, six speed transmission, and a performance-tuned electric power steering system.[17] The Scion tC now comes standard with Vehicle Stability Control. A special FiveAxis body kit was offered for the car originally; however the TRD Supercharger is no longer available. The tC remained popular in the tuner market, with many aftermarket performance upgrades still being available.[18] This model is available in the videogame Forza Motorsport 5 featuring the body kit.

Toyota Zelas

At the 2010 Abu Dhabi Motor Show, the Scion tC was introduced for sale in the Middle East under the Toyota Zelas nameplate, with an aggressive body kit not featured on the Scion tC.[19]

2014–2016

The facelift model Scion tC

Sales of the second generation tC did not reach as high as Scion were expecting and to coincide with the launch of the Scion FR-S, the tC received a facelift for the 2014 model year. Inspired by the design of the FR-S, the 2014 tC received updated headlamps, grille, LED taillights, 18-inch alloy rims, body kit, a sport-tuned suspension, reworked faster shifting transmission, sport-tuned shocks, and a new touch screen audio system standard.[20] For the first model year, Scion offered a Series 10 anniversary edition of the ten-year anniversary of the brand, limited to 3500 units. It included a new silver color, silver seat belts, a solar-powered illuminated shift knob, an LED Scion locator badge that lights up when the car is unlocked and a sequentially numbered interior badge.[21] For the 2016 model year, the tC received some minor changes, such as a standard rear windshield wiper, new silver interior door handles, center console tray cover, and a leather-wrapped shift knob, the latter of which was formerly an optional upgrade.[22]

The tC will end production in August 2016 after a final release edition as part of the phasing out of Scion brand.[13] At 29, the tC sports coupe had the lowest-average age buyer in the industry according to Toyota.[13]

Specifications

Model Engine Power@rpm Torque@rpm Transmission 0-60 1/4 mile EPA fuel economy ratings Weight Fuel tank Tire size
Scion tC[23] 2.5 L 2AR-FE I4 (gasoline) 180 hp (134 kW) @ 6000 rpm 173 lb·ft (235 N·m) @ 4100 rpm 6-speed manual transmission 6.5s[24] 15.1s @ 92.4 mph[24] 23 mpg-US (10 L/100 km; 28 mpg-imp) city / 31 mpg-US (7.6 L/100 km; 37 mpg-imp) hwy 3,060 lb (1,390 kg) -3,093 lb (1,403 kg) 14.5 US gal (55 L; 12 imp gal) 225/45R18
6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode 7.4s[25] 15.8s @ 88 mph[25] 3,102 lb (1,407 kg) - 3,160 lb (1,430 kg)
Toyota Zelas[26] 178 hp (133 kW) @ 6000 rpm 172 lb·ft (233 N·m) @ 4100 rpm 3,086 lb (1,400 kg) -3,142 lb (1,425 kg) 215/50R17

Safety

NHTSA crash test ratings (2011)[27]

IIHS scores[28]
Moderate overlap frontal offset Good
Small overlap frontal offset Acceptable[29]
Side impact Good
Roof strength Good

Toyota Racing Development (TRD)

Similar to many other models of Toyota/Lexus/Scion, there are many upgrades available through the in house tuning shop Toyota Racing Development (TRD). Currently TRD produces performance parts such as lowering springs and racing struts, full coilover suspension systems, performance brake kits, rear sway bars, front strut tower bars, limited-slip differentials, upgraded clutches, axle-back exhausts and cold-air intakes for the Scion tC. Other cosmetic accessories such as TRD branded valve covers and oil caps are also offered.

TRD also offered a supercharger which is a rebadged Vortech supercharger that is capable of putting out 20 psi (1.4 bar), although when installed by a dealership and under warranty it is set at 6 psi (0.4 bar). Starting in 2008, Scion began making the supercharger with tamper-proof pulleys. As of mid-2009, TRD has discontinued production of superchargers for the Scion tC.[30]

Release Series line

2005 Scion tC RS 1.0

Beginning in late spring 2004, Scion launched the Release Series (RS) line, limited quantities of their current vehicles pre-packaged with individual numbered badging, exclusive accessories, and other special features. Their exterior colors were bright hues (i.e. orange, yellow, red, blue, green).

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2012

2013

2015

2016

Sales

In terms of sales, the Scion tC was once Scion's most popular model and from 2005 to 2007 accounted for almost half of all cars sold under Scion. Its best selling year was 2006.[41]

Calendar Year US Sales
2004 28,062[42]
2005 74,415[13]
2006 79,125[43]
2007 63,852[13]
2008 40,980[44]
2009 17,998[45]
2010 15,204[46]
2011 22,433[47]
2012 22,666[47]
2013 19,094[48]
2014 17,947[49]
2015 16,459[50]

Motorsports

Scion tC competition car

References

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