Scion tC

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Scion tC

Manufacturer	Scion
Parent company	Toyota Motor Corporation
Production	2004–present
Model year(s)	2005-present
Assembly	Tsutsumi, Japan
Predecessor	Toyota Celica
Class	Compact
Body style(s)	2-door hatchback
Layout	FF layout
Engine(s)	2.4L 2AZ-FE straight-4
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
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)
Related	Toyota Avensis

Scion tC, based on the Toyota Avensis platform, is a compact coupe introduced by Japanese automaker Toyota in 2004 as a concept car under its recently introduced Scion brand name. Toyota later debuted the production tC at the 2004 NAIAS with sales beginning in June 2004 as a 2005 model year. The Scion tC is generally considered Toyota's successor to the Celica whose production ended with the 2005 model year. The name tC does not fit in with its stablemates the xA, xB, and xD, because the name xC has already been taken by Volvo for its XC60, XC70 and XC90 models. According to Scion, tC stands for touring coupe.

The Scion tC was designed to appeal to the Millennial market.^[1] Toyota hoped to do so by making standard features numerous and optional features extremely easy to add. The Scion tC shares its chassis with the Avensis^[2] 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.

Major standard equipment included a 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" alloy wheels and a panoramic moonroof.

A bare-bones version of the Scion tC known as the spec package is offered without many of the standard accessories. The Scion tC spec package replaces the 17 inch alloy wheels with 16 inch 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. This model, which is meant to serve as a blank slate to the tuner market, is offered in only four colors: Super White, Flint Mica, Black Sand Pearl and Classic Silver Metallic. MSRP is lower than the standard models.

Contents 1 Specifications 2 Safety 3 Toyota Racing Development (TRD) 4 Release Series line 5 US sales 5.1 Recall 6 Motorsports 7 Modifications 8 Product placement, advertisement, & other media appearances 9 Next generation 10 References 11 External links

[edit] Specifications

• Engine: 2.4 L Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) 16-valve 4-cylinder with VVT-i, compression ratio of 9.6:1 for the 2005/06 models and 9.8:1 for 2007-2010.
• Displacement: 2362 cc
• Power: 161 hp (120 kW) @ 6,000 rpm (2007MY+) / 160 hp (119 kW) @ 5,700 rpm (2005-06MY)
• Torque: 163 ft·lbf (220 N·m)@ 4,000 rpm (all MYs)
• 200 hp / 185 ft·lbf with TRD Supercharger
• Transmission: Standard 5-speed manual transmission or optional 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission
• Curb weight: 2,970 lb (1,347 kg) (automatic); 2,905 lb (1,318 kg) (manual)
• Fuel tank: 14.5 US gal (55 L; 12 imp gal)
• EPA ratings for manual transmission: 20mpg city / 27mpg hwy (2007MY+); 19mpg city / 27mpg hwy (2005/06)
• EPA ratings for automatic transmission: 21mpg city / 29mpg hwy (2007MY+); 20mpg city / 27mpg hwy (2005/06)

(Note that the revised EPA ratings in 2007 dropped mpg ratings for almost every model significantly. Most owners find that they average 23-25mpg in average city driving and 30-34mpg in highway driving. See http://www.fuelly.com/car/scion/tc for more owner mileage logs.

[edit] Safety

NHTSA crash test ratings (2006)^[3]

• Frontal Crash Test - Driver:
• Frontal Crash Test - Passenger:
• Side Impact Rating -
• Side Impact Rating - Rear:
• Rollover Rating:

The IIHS gave the Scion tC an "Acceptable" overall score in both the frontal offset and side impact crash tests.^[4][5]

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.^[6] Vehicle Stability Control is not offered.

[edit] 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, torque differentials, sports clutches, axle back exhausts and cold air intakes for the Scion tC. Other accessories such as TRD branded valve covers and oil caps are also offered.

TRD also offers 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 7 psi (0.5 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. ^[7]

[edit] Release Series line

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. Limited edition vehicles from a marketing standpoint were used to create a buzz for the brandname, with their exterior colors tending to be loud or bright hues (i.e. orange, yellow, red, blue, green). Because of the growing popularity of the Scion product line and the scarce production runs (most dealers only get 2-3 of each RS model), these limited edition vehicles quickly sell out. Preordering is available at each dealership on a first-come, first-served basis. To the customer's benefit, Scion's "Pure Price" MSRP bounds dealerships against market-demand vehicle mark-up. Naturally, resale values of Release Series vehicles command a premium because of their packaged options and scarcity.

2005

• tC RS 1.0 only available in Absolutely Red with 2500 units produced^[8]

2006

• tC RS 2.0 only available in Blue Blitz Mica with 2600 units produced^[9]

2007

• tC RS 3.0 only available in Blizzard Pearl with 2500 units produced ^[10]

2008

• tC RS 4.0 only available in Galactic Gray Mica with 2300 units produced^[11]

2009

• tC RS 5.0 only available in Gloss Black with 2000 units produced ^[12]

[edit] US sales

In terms of sales, the Scion tC is Scion's most popular model.

US Calendar Year	Sales
2003[13]	n/a
2004[14]	28,062
2005	74,415
2006[15]	79,125
2007	63,852
2008[16]	40,980

[edit] Recall

In early 2006, a recall was issued for some 2005 and 2006 tCs due to the possibility of the glass wind deflector being shattered by debris.^[17] In late 2006, a recall was issued for 29,542 2005 and 2006 tCs due to the possibility of the side airbags deploying as a result of slamming the door forcefully.

[edit] Motorsports

Scion Sponsored Racing

• With the demise of the Toyota Celica, the Scion tC is now used for the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race held during the Long Beach Grand Prix, beginning in 2006.

• There are several drag racing. Kenny Tran Jotech Motorsports, Leslie Armendariz Horizon Motorsports, Christian Rado World Racing, and Gary White (formerly Brad Personett)Titan Motorsports. Kenny Tran has been competing in the NHRA Sport Compact drag racing series, hotrod class where he garnered the 2007 championship. Kenny cut his fastest run with 7.91 ET @ 184 mph (296 km/h) during a NHRA race at Pomona Raceway. In 2007 and 2008, the Jotech Motorsports team won back-to-back Pro Import Class titles of the Battle Of The Imports drag series. Leslie Armendariz's All-Motor Scion tC pushed a record setting 9.34 @ 143 mph (230 km/h). Christian Rado claimed 2nd place in the Pro FWD class of the 2008 BOTI nationals. Gary White won second place in the Extreme 10.5" class of the ADRL Battle of the Belts World Finals.

• For the 2008 Formula Drift year, RS*R converted a Scion tC to rear wheel drive. This was done by using the Toyota Avensis chasis (which the Scion tC is based on, originally an AWD platform) and converted it into RWD. The car is powered by a tuned BEAMS 3S-GE engine. Ken Gushi currently competes with this vehicle.

• For the 2009 Formula Drift year, Tanner Foust will compete using a Rockstar, AEM and Toyo Tire sponsored Scion tC converted to RWD, built by Papadukis Racing. Foust's car is powered by a TRD (Toyota Racing Development) built V8 from a former Busch Series NASCAR stocker.

• For the 2008 KONI Challenge season, Dan Gardner and Craig Stanton were driving a Scion tC in the Sport Touring Class.

• For 2009, a Supercharged tC fielded by team owner/driver Dan Gardner was entered in the SCCA WorldChallenge Touring Car 2 class. Scott Webb drove the car to victory, bringing Scion home their first-ever professional win.

[edit] Modifications

The Scion Tc is marketed to be customized in many ways. In 2007 Scion released a Scion Tc Spec Package priced and targeted for tuners starting at $15,000. Aftermarket parts for the Tc are available from suspension, engine performance, body kits, drivetrain, turbos/supercharger, electronics, and many more. Turbo kits available for the Scion Tc prove to give a major performance gain from stock 161 hp to 210 - 400 hp. Further more can be accomplished with internal engine and drivetrain work.

[edit] Product placement, advertisement, & other media appearances

In addition to an insignificant amount of traditional advertising on television, the Scion tC has appeared on a few TV shows.

• The Scion tC was heavily promoted on a fictional talk show on the Adult Swim cartoon Frisky Dingo despite a character's opposition to the paid product placement.^[18]

• It was also featured in Spike TV's Bullrun. Scion tC appeared on one of the episodes of Comedy Central's Reno 911^[19] where Officer Raineesha Williams and Officer Clementine Johnson pull up in a blue metallic Scion tC.

• A full scale 2006 commercial was periodically screened at AMC Theatres prior to showing movie trailers. Starting in 2007, Scion began a marked increase in advertising, especially on television. This is due to the "Little Deviants" ad campaign, harking the Scions' "customizability".

[edit] Next generation

In February 2009, Scion Vice President Jack Hollis announced there will be a new tC replacement within the next two years.^[20] The third generation Avensis went on sale in January 2009 while the current tC shares its platform with the second generation model.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Scion tC

• Scion.com Official tC Website
• Scion tC Release Series Page
• National Scion tC Owners Club
• [3]
• [4]
• Scion Puerto Rico webpage (Spanish)
• [5]

v • d • e Scion – a marque of Toyota Motor Corp. – road vehicle timeline
Type	2000s										2010s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
Subcompact					xA				xD
					xB
Compact									xB
Coupe						tC
Concept cars: bbX · ccX · t2B · Fuse · Hako Coupe · iQ