2011 Scion xD RS 3.0: New Limited Edition Priced from $17,765

Toyota's Scion division has revealed its first [of many more to come] limited edition vehicle for the 2011 model year, the xD Release Series 3.0, which will begin arriving in showrooms later this month.

Offered in a new brownish color named xPRESSO, which is not currently available on any other Scion model, the new xD RS 3.0 features a four-piece body kit with front and rear lower lips along with side skirts, plus carbon-fiber trimmed B-pillar appliqués with the RS logo. And well, that's about it.

Scion said it will only build 1,500 units of the xD RS 3.0, with each car featuring a unique, individually numbered stainless-steel badge.

Pricing for the special edition of the xD hatch is set at $16,905 when combined with a manual gearbox, and $17,705 when the engine is hooked up to an automatic transmission. Bear in mind that neither figure includes the mandatory $720 delivery, processing and handling fee.

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New Scion xD RS 2.0: Final Special Edition Model for 2009 Goes All Green

Toyota's seemingly youthful Scion brand has cranked out more limited/special edition models than we can remember, but it all it comes to an end for this year with the market launch of the new xD Release Series 2.0 that's due to arrive at dealer showrooms later this month. Scion said that it will only build 1,600 units of the xD RS 2.0 that is offered exclusively in what the firm calls 'Electric Wasabi' green exterior paint. More like 'washed out green' if you ask us, but whatev.

The same color accents the xD's interior that also features four-in-one interior lights, and "RS 2.0" door sills illuminated with white back lighting. Silver accented seat fabric and individually numbered badging complete the looks.

The car's standard equipment includes a 5.8-inch touch screen Pioneer Audio Visual Navigation (AVN) head unit with flash memory, voice recognition, and Bluetooth. Pioneer's unit is also satellite radio, rear view camera and HD Radio ready and will play iPod videos just as long as the driver engages the parking brake.

The xD RS 2.0 carries a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $1,270 over the standard car, at $14,650 for the XD with a manual gearbox and $15,450 with an automatic transmission. Add to that a delivery, processing and handling fee of $670 and you're all set.

Shanghai Clone Wars: Great Wall Florid Bonds Scion xA with Toyota Yaris

One of the most eye-popping examples of car-cloning at this year's Shanghai Auto Show is the Florid hatchback from China's Great Wall Motors. What's surprising about the Florid is the fact that it actually copies the design of two vehicles, bonding in a uniquely Chinese way, the body of a Scion xA to the front end of a current generation Toyota Yaris. Inside, the Chinese automaker preferred to keep things simple, maintaining the original Scion xA's dashboard layout.

The driving force behind the Yaris and xA "inspired" subcompact hatch is a Great Wall Motors developed 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 87 horsepower and a maximum torque of 115Nm. For the 2009MY - or so to say, Great Wall Motors extened the Florid's range with the introduction of more powerfull 1.5-liter engine with 105HP.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

2006 Scion xA

Toyota & Lexus U.S. January Sales Sink 34.9 Percent

The first month of 2009 also brought bad news for Toyota that saw its U.S. sales fall to 117,287 vehicles, a decrease of 34.4 percent from last January. The Toyota division that includes the Scion brand, posted sales of 102,565 units, a decrease of 34.9 percent, while Lexus recorded sales of 14,722 units, down of 30.3 percent from the year-ago month. Toyota's passenger car sales were led by the Camry and Camry Hybrid, which posted combined sales of 20,782 units. The Corolla recorded sales of 19,238 units while the Yaris reported sales of 4,440 units for the month. The Prius hybrid posted January sales of 8,121 units.

Toyota's light trucks division posted January sales of 42,548 units, down 40 percent from January 2008. Light truck sales were led by the RAV4 compact SUV with January sales of 8,034 units.

As for Lexus, it's best selling model for January 2009 was the RX with sales of 6,520 units followed by the ES luxury sedan with sales of 2,971 units.

2010 Scion xB Receives New Audio System, Prices Remain Unchanged

It's that time again, you know, when automakers release their so-called '2010MY' cars in the States. For Scion that translates to the 2010 xB which is exactly the same vehicle as the 2009MY with the difference that it is upgraded with an all-new standard 160-watt Pioneer audio system, which fortunately for buyers, comes with no increase to the car's base price that remains at $15,750 (MSRP) when equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, and $16,700 for the four-speed automatic with sequential shifting.

Furthermore, Scion is introducing a new color for the 2010 xB, the Crimson Mica, which replaces the Blackberry Crush Metallic while also new for the model year is an optional Alpine Premium audio unit that's navigation and back-up camera ready. The 2010 xB will arrive at Scion's dealerships later this month.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

VIDEO: Woman in Scion Drives Officers Crazy in High-Speed Pursuit

We've watched many weird high-speed police chases on TV but this one has to be one of most ridiculous we've seen so far. The female driver of the Scion xB who at some point exited her car to verbally confront the officers, drove the Japanese 'hatchbox' in circles on the highway for a good amount of time before the cops managed to corner her and end the pursuit in the Rancho Santa Margarita area in Orange County, California. Luckily, no one was hurt or injured during the pursuit. Hit the jump to watch the video.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Blacked Out Scion tC RS 5.0 Priced from $17,000

Those of you that are planning to visit the 2009 Chicago Auto Show (February 13-22), will get the chance to see the latest limited edition version of Scion's tC compact coupe dubbed Release Series 5.0 before it goes on sale across the U.S. in March, 2009. Unlike most limited edition Scion models that are as unique as a grain of sand, the tC RS. 5.0 actually comes equipped with numerous accessories and performance upgrades from TRD (Toyota Racing Development).

Offered exclusively in a glossy black exterior paint finish with matching 18-inch alloy wheels, the Scion tC RS 5.0 is fitted with TRD lowering springs, rear sway bar and sport muffler while the company also offers a black rear lip spoiler priced at $285 (not including installation).

The exterior theme is continued inside with a black leather steering wheel featuring red stitching, black seats with red accents, floor mats with the TRD logo and a plaque with the car's individual number.

Overall, Scion will produce a total of 2,000 units of the tC Release Series 5.0 priced from $17,000 when combined with a manual transmission and $17,800 with an automatic transmission.