If you’ve been waiting to get behind the wheel of a Scion FR-S, it’s now easier than ever with the Scion Pure Lease Program. Through the program, you can lease a new Scion FR-S for only $293 a month, over 36 months, with just $1999 due at lease signing.

Want to find out more about leasing a Scion FR-S or any of our other models? Head over to the Scion Pure Lease page on the Scion.com site for all of the details and information.

http://www.scion.com/promotions/purelease/

The months leading up to a new product launch are always an exciting time at the Scion offices, and the impending release of the 2014 Scion tC has certainly been no exception. Since the new tC made waves at the New York International Auto Show, we’ve been diligently working to get new photo, print, and broadcast material prepared for when it arrives at dealerships next month.

Our print shoot for the new 2014 Scion tC took place on the last day of April, on a busy street corner in Downtown Los Angeles. The crew was out early to prepare the area where the shoot would be taking place, and with help from a few police officers, cones were set up to direct traffic around the makeshift set.

The weather was unexpectedly overcast during the day of the shoot, which potentially could have created problems getting the right lighting for the car. Fortunately, the new Absolutely Red color does a great job of standing out, even on a day that’s relatively drab.

We were understandably given only a minimal amount of space for the shoot, since both drivers and pedestrians needed to be able to navigate around the area. So, to help keep our footprint small, the crew worked almost entirely out of a cargo truck, using only the equipment that was absolutely necessary.

Part of the shoot involved turning an empty building next to the street into a “boxing gym” to give the final photos a little more character. If you take a closer look at the sign on the window, you’ll note that our fictional gym has been around since 2003 – the same year the very first Scion models were sold.

While all the photography equipment was being set up, we had a bit of time to do some last minute detailing on the new tC. It takes a lot of work keeping a car clean indoors, even within the sterile confines of a set, so you can only imagine how difficult it was doing the same while on a busy street.

While all the equipment was being set up, the actors and actresses who would be in the gym for the shoot were given a quick rundown of where they would be while shooting was taking place, as well as what they would be doing.

With all of the logistical issues out of the way, we were finally set to begin shooting the car.

Since the set was kept pretty lightweight, necessities like bounce boards were simply held in place by the crew we had on hand. In this particular instance, it gave us the chance to bring out the character in the 2014 Scion tC’s new front end.

The more angular headlights do an especially good job of framing the car’s aggressive stance on the street, and are complemented by a new wide-mouth grille along with a set of LED driving lights.

The process was repeated for shots of both the roof and the back of the car, allowing us to capture it from all angles with the best possible lighting we could get.

Around the back of the car, a more distinctive rear end with LED taillights and a blacked out lower section also go quite a way in helping the 2014 Scion tC stand out in urban environments. Similarly, the dark gray finish on the new 18” wheels go a long way in adding to the tC’s character, especially when viewed in profile.

Photos were immediately fed into a computer we had with us out on the set, giving us an immediate idea of how the final print materials would turn out.

We’re busy getting everything finalized for the official release of the 2014 Scion tC, so you’ll be able to see the results of our shoot soon! In the meantime, if you want to learn more about the new tC, head over to its page on Scion.com at the link below.

http://www.scion.com/cars/tC2014/

Related: Scion at the 2013 New York International Auto Show

Scion AV’s annual Rock Fest is coming to Memphis, Tennessee on June 1^st with one of the best metal lineups we’ve ever assembled for the event. Tickets are going fast, but there’s one easy way for you to guarantee entry for yourself and one of your friends.

When you test drive a new Scion at Wolfchase Scion in Cordova, Tennessee, Chuck Hutton Scion in Memphis Tennessee, or Performance Scion in Memphis, Tennessee, mention Scion Rock Fest and you’ll get a chance to score two FREE tickets to the show. You’ll want to hurry, however, as the deal is only available while supplies last.

Check out the full lineup of bands below, and don’t forget to visit to test drive a Scion to secure your place in line!

Testament / Melvins / Municipal Waste / Whitechapel / The Obsessed / Corrosion of Conformity / The Casualties / Negative Approach / Pallbearer / Six Feet Under / Impaled / Vision of Disorder / Royal Thunder / Vektor / Arsis / A Life Once List / Touché Amoré / Code Orange Kids / The Gates of Slumber / Hot Lunch / Rotting Out / The Shrine / Ice Dragon / Call of the Void / Subrosa / Gigan / Anciients / Dirty Streets / Inter Arma / Complete Failure / Indian Handcrafts / Noisem

Our support of the creative arts community extends back over 10 years, dating back to the creation of the Scion brand. During that time, we’ve worked with over 1700 artists from a variety of backgrounds on projects like record releases, art gallery, and the Scion AV initiative. For our latest collaboration, we had the chance to team up with famed DJ and producer Steve Aoki to bring his distinctive personality to the Scion FR-S.

One of Steve Aoki’s priorities in designing the car was implementing an audio/visual system that would allow him to literally take his show on the road. To that end, a full mixing station was installed in the backseat, to go along with a completely revamped speaker setup using components provided by Pioneer. New LEDs and strobe lighting fixtures were placed around and under the car, and to fully recreate a nightclub atmosphere, a fog machine was also added to the build.

The exterior of the Steve Aoki Scion FR-S continued the theme, with custom graphics, wheels from FIVE:AD, an aero kit, and a shark fit antenna. Lowering springs were fitted to the car to give it an aggressive stance, while GReddy provided both an intake and exhaust system to improve its performance.

Our longtime friend and collaborator Mike Vu of MV Designz was tasked with building the car, which was unveiled at a special press event last night. The completed Steve Aoki FR-S build will be making appearances at Scion events throughout the year. For more information about the Steve Aoki Scion FR-S, check out the full spec sheet below.

Audio/Visual

• Pioneer AVH-X8500BHS DVD receiver
• Pioneer AVIC-u250 navigation system
• Pioneer D Series 6-3/4 inch component speaker package
• 2x Pioneer D Series 5-1/4 inch component speaker package
• Pioneer D Series 4-inch 2 way speakers
• 2x Pioneer 10-inch Champion Series PRO subwoofers
• 6x Pioneer PRS amplifier
• Pioneer DJM-900 Nexus 4-channel professional mixer
• Apple MacBook Pro
• 3x GoPro HERO3 White Edition camera
• American DJ fog machine

Exterior

• MV Designz 5-piece aero kit
• MV Designz carbon fiber rear diffuser
• Custom graphics
• Beat Sonic shark fin antenna

Lighting

• Oracle Lighting LEDs
• Oracle Lighting strobe lights
• Oracle Lighting halo LEDs

Wheels/Tires

• 19” FIVE:AD R5:F gun metal wheels
• Nitto NeoGen tires

Suspension

• TEIN lowering springs

Engine

• GReddy SP Elite exhaust
• GReddy Air Intake System

We know that you’ve been patiently waiting for more details about the 2014 Scion tC and the #Scion10 Series models since they made their debut at the New York International Auto Show, and we’ve got some great news to share. Pricing for the new tC, limited edition Scion 10 Series, and the 2014 Scion iQ has finally been announced! Read on for all the news from this morning’s announcement.

Related:Scion at the 2013 New York International Auto Show

2014 Scion tC

The new 2014 Scion tC is better than ever, with pricing starting at $19,210 for the manual transmission model, and $20,210 for the automatic. It arrives with an array of new exterior design elements, including a boldly proportioned shark mouth grille, more distinctively styled headlights, led driving lights and taillights, and all new 18 x 7.5” dark gray metallic alloy wheels.

To complement the tC’s more aggressive styling, we’ve paired the car with a new, optional six-speed Sequential Sport Shift automatic that features Dynamic Rev Management for downshift blipping. Additionally, the six-speed manual transmission comes with a new, “Pre-Load” differential, similar to the ones used on Lexus vehicles, which more precisely apportions torque to the front wheels. Front and rear dampers in the tC have also been retuned for a more enhanced performance feel and balanced handling.

Changes to the 2014 Scion tC continue inside its cabin, where a new 6.1” LCD Display audio touchscreen now comes standard, while a BeSpoke Premium audio with Aha is available as an option. The signature random-weave seat fabric and interior roof pillar and liner colors are also lighter, helping to heighten the sense of openness. Soft touch materials throughout the interior round out the list of changes made to the 2014 Scion tC, which will be available in dealerships this June.

Related:Behind the Scenes with the 2014 Scion tC

2014 Scion iQ

Priced at $15,665 equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), the 2014 Scion iQ is being carried over from the last model year with the exception of the new 6/1” LCD Display audio touchscreen system found in the 2014 Scion tC. With seating available for 4 people, the Scion iQ produces an EPA-estimated mpg of 36 city/37 highway/37 combined, and will also begin arriving at dealerships in June.

Related:Scion iQ PARK! Video Series

Scion 10 Series

Built to commemorate Scion’s 10^th anniversary, the Scion 10 Series models will each feature a premium, Silver Ignition colored paint, illuminated exterior front and rear Scion badges, a Pioneer touch screen audio system, a solar-powered illuminated shift knob, individually numbered interior badges, silver seatbelts, and electroluminescent Scion 10 Series detailing on interior panels.

Related:Behind the Scenes of the Scion 10 Series

Each of the individual Scion 10 Series cars will also come with its own unique set of modifications. Starting at $19,210 with a manual and $20,160 with an automatic,2013 Scion 10 Series xB will feature a jack knife key and 16” alloy wheels. The 2013 Scion 10 Series xD, priced at $18,155 with a manual transmission and $18,995 for an automatic,will come with a jack knife key, 16” alloy wheels, and a color-tuned interior. The 2014 Scion 10 Series iQ will also feature a jack knife key to go with 16” alloy wheels, and will start at $17,850 with a CVT.

The 2014 Scion 10 Series tC carries over the design of the new 2014 tC, with changes that include a jack knife key, dark finish 18” alloy wheels, and body colored side skirts, with pricing listed at $21,440 for a manual and $22,440 for an automatic. Meanwhile the 2013 Scion 10 Series FR-S, priced at $27,425 with a manual and $28,675 with an automatic, packs in HID headlamps with LED daytime running lights, dual-zone automatic climate control, a smart key with a push start button, and a frameless rear view mirror.

The MSRPs listed above do not include a $755 delivery, processing and handling (DPH) for all Scion models. The DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

Each of the limited edition Scion 10 Series vehicles will also be arriving at Scion dealerships this June.

There’s a lot to be excited about with the new Scion lineup, and we think it’s going to be a big year for Scion owners everywhere. For more information on all of our new vehicles, be sure to check out www.scion.com.

If you’ve got a copy of Forza Horizon or have the August Playseat Car Pack for Forza Motorsport 4, we’ve got a surprise waiting for you – our friends at Turn 10 Studios and Meguiar’s have teamed up to help us bring the Meguiar’s Scion FR-S to both games as FREE DLC!

Modeled after the real-world Meguiar’s Scion FR-S, the in-game car features the same exterior modifications that made the car turn heads at last year’s SEMA Show. The list of modifications includes custom graphics, a front lip spoiler, new wheels, headlights, and fog lights, and a coat of gleaming yellow paint.

Additionally, Meguiar’s is also sponsoring a Forza Horizon photo contest that begins today, and ends on May 17, 2013. By taking photos of the Meguiar’s FR-S in the game, uploading it to the Forza Horizon storefront, and tagging it with “Meguiar’s FR-S”, entrants will have the chance to win prizes from Meguiar’s and the team a Turn 10 Studios.

You’ll need a copy of the August Playseat Car Pack to get the free Meguiar’s Scion FR-S DLC for Forza Motorsport 4, but any owners should find the new car waiting in their inbox. For more information, see the press release or visit the Forza Motorsport news page at the links below.

http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/scion+frs+forza+motorsports+horizon+games+may6.htm
http://forzamotorsport.net/en-US/news/WIR_5_3_13

On yesterday’s episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, a lucky audience member walked away with one of the very first #Scion10 Series cars after playing an exciting round of “What’s in the Box?” Fittingly, the car that was in the box was our favorite box on wheels, the Scion 10 Series xB. If you missed it, be sure to catch the clip below.

Related: Scion 10 Series Cars Unveiled at New York Auto Show

The Scion 10 Series models will be coming to dealerships this June, and will include exclusive features like premium Silver Ignition Paint, LED Scion locator badges, a solar powered shift knob, and an illuminated Scion 10 Series dashboard logo. Only 10,000 cars will be produced in the Scion 10 series line, across all 5 of the Scion models.

Related: Behind the Scenes of the Scion 10 Series

For more information about the limited edition cars, be sure to visit Scion 10 Series page at the link below, or follow us on Twitter for all the latest news.

http://www.scion.com/cars/scion_series/
https://twitter.com/scion

The talks they gave at Scion Motivate helped cap off the final nights of an eventful week marked by learning and progress. Doug Pray and Levi Maestro’s interview sessions are available for viewing below. Learn more about the Scion Motivate program at www.scion.com/motivate.

During their interview sessions, they covered several business-essential topics including the cost of creating a customer vs. the value of retaining one, and the difference between having an MBA and being one. Their insightful proved valuable to the Scion Motivate workshop attendees, and is available for viewing in the videos below. Learn more about the Scion Motivate program at www.scion.com/motivate.

The speakers at Day 1 of Scion Motivate included Melanie Campbell of the NYC based restaurant, Asia Dog, entrepreneur Ilya Pozin of Ciplex, who has penned columns for Inc., Forbes, and LinkedIn, and Amy Cosper, the VP and Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine. Learn more about the Scion Motivate program at www.scion.com/motivate.

Peter K. – Rock Out Magazine

Peter K. is the Founder of RockOutMagazine, an online music news source covering all aspects of the music industry. He’s been involved in Chicago as a music promoter since 1999, works as a publicist for entertainment clients from across the globe and is a social media expert, growing R.O.M.’s fan base to thousands of users. Peter graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Business Management. He is regarded as one of the top punk rock DJ’s in the country and is avid concert goer. In his free time he enjoys photography, skateboarding, fishing, films, and technology.

Learn more about Rock Out Magazine here:

http://www.rockoutmagazine.com

Roseli I. – Loom

Roseli I. is a social entrepreneur and the founder of LOOM, a line of artisan-crafted luxury handbags made of recycled leather and organic textiles. Building off her passion for style and decade of experience as a writer, educator and developer of marketing campaigns for social justice and human rights, she decided to partner with women artisans from around the globe to blend indigenous weaving techniques with modern design for an international fashion audience. Her travels and collaborations have taken her from the valleys of Oaxaca to the lush terraces of the Philippine Cordillera, but she remains rooted in Oakland, California.

Learn more about Loom here:

http://www.shop-loom.com/

William T. – Icaru5

William is a 23 year old documentary filmmaker from Chicago, Illinois. He attended the University of Notre Dame where he studied economics and film.  Upon graduating in 2012, William took a position in data analytics consulting.  For the past year, however, he has actively pursued opportunities that combine his two passions: filmmaking and humanitarian outreach.  Consequently, William started Icaru5, a documentary production company that gives nonprofits a narrative and tax dollars context.

Learn more about Icaru5 here:

http://icaru5.org/

Reed G. – Roaming Republic

Reed G. is a Baltimore native. She graduated with an Art degree from a small liberal arts college in Maryland and, after graduation, moved to Australia. While there, she discovered her love of travel. She spent years working on a business plan that would allow her to fuse her love of art and travel together in a tangible way. She is a hard-working multi-tasker, working three jobs to make ends meet. Reed is also driven, optimistic, and a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.

Learn more about Roaming Republic here:

http://roamingrepublic.storenvy.com/

Philip G. – Notes for Notes

Philip is the Executive Director/ Founder of Notes for Notes – a non-profit that builds, equips and runs after-school recording studios called MusicBox Studios. The studios are packed with guitars, drums, synths, DJ gear, and digital music workstations giving youth completely FREE access to explore, create and record music. Notes for Notes is all about music, and most importantly, the relationships that develop through music and collaboration. Their studios are located inside Boys & Girls Clubs in Nashville, TN and Santa Barbara, CA and are coming soon to Detroit and Los Angeles.

Learn more about Notes for Notes at the following link:

http://notesfornotes.org/

Tobi A. – Bushakan

Tobi’s long-term passion for design led him to study Architecture, where he discovered the joy of making. While he appreciates working at large scales, he finds it very fulfilling making products that are accessible to a wider audience. He is particularly interested in the use of digital fabrication tools to work with natural materials. Through Bushakan he hopes to have a positive impact on his local community in San Francisco

Learn more about Bushakan at the following link:

http://bushakan.com/

Though the Scion iQ is the smallest car in the lineup, it was given an entire set to itself for our first Scion 10 Series photography session. Lighting and bounce boards were set up around the car to ensure its features would be properly captured from any angle.

Among the new features in the Scion 10 Series iQ is a set of alloy wheels with a graphite finish. For the full list, be sure to check out either our previous post on the Scion 10 Series cars, or head over to the Scion.com site.

Though the photography team made an effort to leave the area around the car as clean as possible, all the equipment that was scattered around made traversing the floor of the set a relatively difficult task.

Elsewhere in the studio, the team was busy preparing the Scion 10 Series xB, FR-S, iQ, and tC for their turns under the spotlight.

The Scion 10 Series FR-S was the first at bat, and the team immediately began capturing detailed shots of its unique LED daytime running lamps.

While work on the headlights was being completed, they also went ahead and flipped on the LED Scion indicator badges to get a few test shots in.

Photography of the FR-S continued at a feverish pace over the course of the next few hours. During that time, the Scion 10 Series xB, xD, and tC were waiting to the side for their turn in front of the lens.

That’s not to say that any of the other cars were neglected, however, as the models were regularly cleaned and polished during the time between shots.

The Scion 10 Series xB was kept nearby, ready to be moved under the lighting so its shoot could begin as soon as work on the FR-S wrapped up.

Meanwhile, the Scion 10 Series tC was stored off the set, since it was the last car scheduled to be photographed.

Photography on the 2014 Scion tC had just wrapped up the previous day, after almost half a week of work on it. The car was immediately covered to ensure it wouldn’t be seen until it made its debut in New York.

Some minor editing was completed on the spot, giving the photography team an idea of how the final images would turn out.

With all the work that went into photographing the cars, it’s almost needless to say that we were delighted to see the results. For a look at the completed photos, check out the Scion 10 Series gallery at the Scion Pressroom site!

Months before the car was shipped out to New York, it was shuttled off to an undisclosed location in order for us to prepare all of the photos, videos, and other materials in time for the show.

It was here that our photographers and video team got their first look at the car that would go on to turn heads at NYIAS. Over the course of several days, the team spent hours meticulously detailing and capturing the new features on the car from every conceivable angle.

Those angles included shots of everything from the newly designed 18” wheels that come standard on the 2014 Scion tC…

…to the new, more aggressively styled headlamps, fog lights, and lower grille…

…back to the rear bumper, LED taillights, and available spoiler on the back of the car.

The 2014 Scion 10 Series tC also made a guest appearance in the studio, however, photography on that car wouldn’t begin until later in the week. Its time in there on that day was spent primarily prepping the Scion 10 Series tC and getting it cleaned for its shoot.

Photography of the video continued for several days, as shots were taken, retaken, and retaken again to ensure that the final images would be picture perfect.

All throughout, the photography team showed incredible dedication to their craft. The final pictures turned out even better than we had expected thanks to their hard work, which helped our press conference at NYIAS go as smoothly as possible.

Want to see the final photos? Head over to http://www.scion.com/cars/tC2014/ to learn more about the car, and check out the new 2014 Scion tC!

The first day of the show started out with the new 2014 Scion tC under wraps at the Scion space, as it wouldn’t be unveiled until our press conference the next day.

While the new Scion tC wasn’t ready to be shown off just yet, the rest of our booth was set up and ready to welcome the show’s early attendees. As with our other auto shows this season, Scion Ghost Glass surfaces were on display ready to show off the best of Scion, Scion Racing, and Scion AV.

A full set of the Scion x Shin Tanaka Paper Shapers were also available to be collected and built! As always, if you’re unable to make it out to one of our shows, you can always customize and create your own with our Paper Shapers iPad app in the iTunes App Store.

As great as the Scion x Shin Tanaka Paper Shapers are, however, the real star of the event was waiting to be shown off at our press conference on day 2.

We packed a full house into the galleria of the New York Auto Show, as industry press lined up to get a first look at the new 2014 Scion tC.

By the time Scion VP Doug Murtha finally took the stage, everyone was ready to see the new look we gave to Scion’s best-selling car.  However, before that would happen, he announced that there was a surprise in store for everyone in attendance.

That surprise, as we now know, turned out to the Scion 10 Series models. As 2013 marks the 10 year anniversary of the Scion brand, the Scion 10 Series was created to celebrate the best of everything we’ve put together during our relatively short history. You can learn more about the Scion 10 Series at its page on Scion.com.

The Scion 10 Series cars rolled down the runway to large applause from the audience, as they all clamored to get their first look at the limited edition vehicles. The star of the show still had yet to be revealed, however, as the 2014 Scion tC was still missing from the stage.

Doug Murtha once again took the floor to explain that it was just a matter of Scion’s highest volume car, accounting for over 40% of our total sales, being saved for last.

And with that introduction, the 2014 Scion tC was finally shown to the public for the first time.

Press and attendees captured photos of the new tC with whatever they had on hand as Doug Murtha took the room through the car’s new features.

Additions such as its new, more aggressive headlamps, front fascia, rear valence, and touchscreen display were touted. All the while, the 2014 Scion tC rotated on its platform, giving everyone in the room a look at the car from all angles.

Once Doug Murtha’s speech ended, everyone finally got their chance to get a closer look at the new features on both the 2014 Scion tC, as well as the Scion 10 Series models.

The unveiling of the 2014 Scion tC also gave us the opportunity to remove the covers from the tC on the show floor for the first time, where the general public would also get their first hands-on experience with the car.

We’ll be at the show until it closes its doors this Sunday, April 7^th, so be sure to stop by to see all of our new cars if you’re in town!

Jeff P. – MHM

Jeff P. grew up in the small town of Golden, Colorado and was introduced to the outdoors before he could even walk. He started competitively snowboarding at age ten, which became his passion in life. In 2004, he decided to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder to pursue competitive snowboarding at the college level. He was placed on the CU Snowboard Team and spent most of his college experience traveling and competing with his team in slopestyle and halfpipe events. He led the team as captain for three years, brought back two national championships and was honored as a First Team All-American his senior year in 2009. After graduation he decided to make a career out of my passion for the outdoors and started designing technical outdoor packs which led to the creation of his company, MHM.

Learn more about MHM at the following link:

http://www.mhmgear.com/

Kate B. – WONDERHEADS

Kate B. Co-Head at WONDERHEADS, is an actor, deviser, director, sound designer, and mask maker. She has performed nationally and internationally, and her masks are used on stages and in classrooms around the world. Kate holds a BFA in Acting and an MFA in Ensemble Based Physical Theatre, and in 2009 she co-founded WONDERHEADS, a physical theatre company specializing in mask performance and exquisite visual storytelling. WONDERHEADS have toured throughout North America to great acclaim, making it their business to touch the hearts of even the most serious and respectable adults.

Learn more about WONDERHEADS at the following link:

http://www.wonderheads.com/

All 5 Scion models will be getting a Scion 10 Series release, and each will come painted in a premium Silver Ignition colorway. Other modifications that will be made to each of the Scion 10 Series cars include an LED Scion locator badge, a solar-powered illuminated shift knob, silver seat belts, and a Scion 10 Series dashboard logo.

In addition to the above changes, the Scion 10 Series xB, xD, and iQ will each come standard with alloy wheels in a unique, graphite finish. Meanwhile, the 10^th Anniversary Scion FR-S will feature the HID headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lamps that are found on the international Toyota 86 and GT86 models. The FR-S will also come equipped with dual automatic climate controls and a smart key with a push-button start ignition.

The Scion 10 Series vehicles will be produced in limited numbers, with a total of 10,000 being built across the entire lineup. The cars will begin arriving at dealerships in June of 2013, but you can get your first look at each of the Scion 10 Series models in our gallery below.

Earlier this morning at the New York International Auto Show, we took the covers off the new 2014 Scion tC. The 2014 Scion tC comes with a host of new features, including more assertive headlamps, an aggressively styled hood, new front and rear fascia, and new LED accent lighting on both ends of the car.

The 2014 Scion tC features a new set of 18-inch alloy wheels that come standard with a distinctive dark gray, contrasted with a machined face. The wheels come wrapped in 225/45R 18 sized tires, polishing off the profile of the new tC.

The interior of the new 2014 Scion tC has been enhanced with upgraded materials. We’re also making the tC the first car in the Scion family to come standard with an all-new 6.1-inch LCD touchscreen Scion Display Audio system.

The new tC also comes with a few changes under the hood, as we’ve paired its 2.5-liter engine with a sportier six-speed automatic transmission with Dynamic Rev Management technology. Adopted from the Scion FR-S, the automatic transmission cuts shift times almost in half, and also rev-matches the engine with the proper gear ratio to make its drive even more engaging.

In addition to the changes to its transmission, we’ve retuned the electronic power steering system in the 2014 Scion tC to provide more responsive road-feel, while new stabilizer bar hardware and spot welds have allowed us to increase its body rigidity.

The 2014 Scion tC will be arriving at Scion dealerships this June. In the meantime, visit http://www.scion.com/2014tC for more info and check out more photos in our gallery below:

The small businesses we ultimately chose to receive the grand prize each did a fantastic job of representing what the Scion Motivate program is all about. We’ve highlighted two of the 10 winners below and will feature the other winners throughout the coming weeks, so stay tuned!

Lily S. – Lilco Letterpress

Lily runs Lilco a design and letterpress printing studio in Dallas. A native Texan, designer and craftsman, she’s also the daughter of two entrepreneurs. In 2003 Lily earned a BFA in Graphic Design from Maryland Institute College of Art. Since then, she’s worked as a graphic designer at companies large and small. In 2008 with the purchase of a Vandercook SP-15 press she launched Lilco. Her goal, like her parents’, is to run her own business and share the joy of design and handcrafted printing with those around her.

Learn more about Lilco at the following link:

http://www.lilcoletterpress.com/

Jahmal Cole – Role Model Publishing

Jahmal was a disadvantaged student who attended an alternative high school, where he was told by a guidance counselor that college wasn’t in his future. Not willing to accept the plight of his circumstances, Jahmal defied the odds using ingenuity and perseverance to get into College. Selling hip hop CD’s to pay his tuition, Jahmal made the Dean’s list and was a Scholar Athlete Award Winner. Today, Jahmal shares his story and inspires other disadvantaged students to rise above their circumstances. Jahmal Cole is the founder of Role Model Movement (NFP) and Role Model Publishing Inc.

Learn more about Role Model Movement at the following link:

http://rolemodelmovement.com/

http://www.scion.com/live

While they were ultimately there to compete against one another for a chance at mentorship from industry experts, $10,000, and a new Scion, we hope that they relationships they built and the insight they gained from Motivate prove to be catalysts for turning their passions into their professions.

Here’s a look back at some of the highlights from the event:

Scion VP Doug Murtha was the first person to take the stage, as he welcomed all of the semi-finalists to Los Angeles on behalf of everyone here at Scion.

Despite being up bright and early in the morning, everyone in the room was at full attention and eager to get things started.

After finishing up his welcome speech, Doug handed the mic over to the first keynote speaker of the event – Melanie Campbell of Asia Dog. Joining her on stage to conduct the interview was Steven Leckart, a writer and editor for Wired magazine.

After the morning events on each day of Motivate were wrapped up, the 50 semi-finalists broke into groups of 10, and made their way to the workshop sessions. During Day 1, the workshops covered Client Relationships, Expansions, Marketing/Promotion, Raising Funds, and Establishing a Physical Presence. The topics for Day 2 included Creating a Visual Identity, Legal Issues, Online Development, Partnerships, and Growing Sales.

The workshops began with a video featuring the panelists, in which they explained both their background, as well as some of the ins and outs of their particular area of expertise. The video above is from the session on Online Development.

The contestants took detailed notes on some of the things they learned from viewing the videos.

Once those were finished, the panelists opened up their workshops and began to take questions from the contestants. Here, Ted Vadakan of Poketo (at left) and Mahssa Taghinia from Mount Analog (at right) listen to Eric Nakamura discuss the Giant Robot storefront.

After finishing up the first two sessions, the semi-finalists broke for lunch, where they were treated to another group of keynote speakers. Day 2’s session was headlined by Harley Finkelstein, CPO of Shopify.

The breaks from the workshops also served as the contestants’ best opportunity to get acquainted with the people outside of their own groups.

From there, it was back to the workshops for another three sessions of learning and questions, before finishing up the day.

The contestants’ dinner was accompanied by another keynote speaker – director Doug Pray on Day 2, along with a generally open atmosphere that allowed them to further get to know and speak with each other.

When the last day finally came around, it was time to get to work. The contestants would spend the final day of Scion Motivate revising their submissions, would determine the winners of the event.

They scattered around the area, staking out areas in which they’d be able to get their work done. A few of the semi-finalists gathered together to work in the groups.

While others found a quiet place to revise their submissions in private.

After several hours working, the semi-finalists began filing back in to submit their revised business plans.

While the tension in the air was palpable, the contestants had the chance to relax for a few hours to help dissipate some of the anxiety from preparing their submissions.

When the winners were finally chosen, Doug Murtha stepped back on stage to begin making the announcement. Before doing so, however, he announced to a delighted crowd that each of them would be receiving $1000, plus a free three month stint on Shopify, courtesy of keynote speaker Harley Finkelstein.

And finally, after three days of hard work and long hours, the names of the 10 winners were called out. As each winner’s name was announced, they made their way to the stage behind a loud ovation from each of the other contestants.

We could ultimately select only 10 winners, but if there’s one thing that all 50 of the semi-finalists showed us during their time at Scion Motivate, it’s that they’re all serious about taking their businesses to the next level, and we’re sure to be hearing from some of them again soon.

Visit the link below for a full list of all the winners and semi-finalists, and check out our YouTube playlist from the event to see the same videos they had the chance to watch during their panels. Thanks to everyone who helped make Scion Motivate a success!

http://www.scion.com/motivate/winners/

Launched in October, the Motivate program drew applications from all over the country that described individuals’ variety of entrepreneurial goals and efforts around art, fashion, music and film. A panel selected 50 semi-finalists to participate in a three-day workshop last week in Santa Monica, Calif. with leading entrepreneurs covering topics such as growing sales, establishing a physical space and online development. The participants incorporated new insights learned into their Motivate entries and final winners were chosen. The 10 winners are:

• Jahmal C. of Chicago, an author and publisher
• Jeff P. of Denver, a backpack manufacturer
• Kate B. of Portland, Ore., a co-owner of a touring theater company
• Lily S. of Dallas, an owner of a graphic design and letterpress company
• Peter K. of Villa Park, Ill., a digital music magazine publisher
• Philip G. of Nashville, Tenn., a nonprofit music program leader
• Reed G. of Annapolis, Md., an artist and import retail store owner
• Roseli I. of Oakland, Calif., an import accessories business owner
• Tobi A. of San Francisco, a custom wood product designer
• William T. of Chicago, a documentary filmmaker

All winners will be individually paired with a relevant business mentor for future career-building and had their choice of any Scion vehicle. The remaining semi-finalists each received a $1,000 grant and left the workshop with helpful industry knowledge that they can apply to their business moving forward.

“We’ve learned so much and winning the prize, it means the world to me and my business,” said Kate B. “I won the Scion xB and that will make a huge difference for my company. It’s a touring theater company, and we’ll be able to tour safely and fit everything we need to in our car.”

Reed G. also chose the xB for her fair trade accessories boutique.

“My business now revolves a lot around being transient, so I go to festivals, I vend, so to have a very reliable car and one that has a lot of space to carry my inventory is pretty amazing,” she said. “Even if I hadn’t won this amazing prize, I still just felt like it was so beneficial for me as a business owner to be involved in this amazing workshop.”

Other winners planned to use the new vehicles as part of their marketing efforts by wrapping them with custom designs. Winners already had plans for how they would invest the prize money back into their businesses, including new equipment and increasing their online presences.

“The Motivate winners live and breathe the passion Scion hoped to find and elevate through this first-ever program for young entrepreneurs,” said Scion Vice President Doug Murtha. “These individuals’ continued success is what we wish for all of our customers, who continue to show us they relate to forging their own paths and creative expression. In its 10 years, that passion remains part of the Scion story.”

Learn more about the Scion Motivate program at www.scion.com/motivate.

# # #

About Scion

Scion, from Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., was developed with a new generation of youthful buyers in mind. Scion’s mission is to provide distinctive products, the opportunity to personalize, and an innovative, consumer-driven process at the retail level. The brand features five groundbreaking models with a wide array of standard features: the xD urban subcompact five-door, the iconic xB urban utility vehicle, the tC sports coupe, the premium micro-subcompact iQ and the FR-S rear-wheel drive sports car. The Scion brand often applies new practices in all aspects of its business and pushes the creativity envelope with non-traditional advertising and marketing to engage young consumers. Scion also supports originality through its programs in the artistic community. For more information, visit www.scion.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photography and digital assets for the Motivate program can be found at www.ScionNewsroom.com.

CONTACT: Scion Public Relations
Craig Taguchi
310.468.3282

craig_taguchi@scion.com

Scion Website: www.scion.com

The Scion Live Drive tour is hitting all of the major events throughout the 2013 auto show season. Visitors will be able to check out the entire Scion lineup on the show floor, and licensed drivers 21 years of age of older will be able to make their way to the Ride and Drive staging area to take a free spin in one of several Scions on hand for sampling. Test drive opportunities are scheduled to include the hot new Scion FR-S sports car and the fun, innovative Scion iQ. Best of all, while supplies last, participating drivers will receive an exclusive free Scion eco-messenger bag.

We’ll be updating this post throughout the season with more info about the Scion Live Drive at each auto show, so be sure to check back in.

1/17/13 – 1/21/13
New England Auto Show
Live drive hours: Show open through 6pm daily.
www.newenglandautoshow.com

1/25/13 – 1/27/13
Houston Auto Show
Live drive hours: Show open through 6pm Daily
www.houstonautoshow.com

2/6/13 – 2/10/13
Washington D.C. Auto Show
Live drive hours: Show open through 5:30pm Daily
www.washingtonautoshow.com

2/23/13 – 2/27/13
Cleveland Auto Show
Live drive hours: Show open through 6pm Daily
www.clevelandautoshow.com

3/7/13 – 3/10/13
Kansas City Auto Show
Live drive hours: Show open through 6pm Daily
www.kansascityautoshow.com

3/9/13 – 3/17/13
Twin Cities Auto Show
Live drive hours: Show open through 6pm Daily
www.twincitiescityautoshow.com

3/13/13 – 3/17/13
Atlanta Auto Show
Live drive hours: Show open through 7pm Daily
http://www.goautoshow.com 

3/21/13 – 3/24/13
Denver Auto Show
Live drive hours:  Show open through 6pm Daily
http://www.paragonexpo.com/index.php/DE-General/ 

Needless to say, everyone at Scion was thrilled to see the sheer number of budding small businesses that were born out of their owners’ commitment to Making Every Second Count. Although this left us with the unenviable task of having to pare those submissions down to just 50, we think the ones we’ve selected as semi-finalists do an exceptional job of representing what the program is all about.

It’s been a long journey here, but we’re finally ready to kick off the Scion Motivate event in Los Angeles. The semi-finalists will be attending a three-day workshop where they’ll have the chance to engage with speakers from a variety of different industries, and work with them to revise their business plans. From there, we’ll ultimately choose 10 winners to receive mentorship from industry experts, $10,000 and a Scion model of their choosing.

The following is a select list of some of the panelists that will be speaking to the 50 semi-finalists at the Scion Motivate event. Below it, you’ll also find a video detailing the importance of mentorship and the role it plays in establishing one’s self.  Visit http://www.scion.com/motivate for mote details.

James Friedman
A graduate of Brooklyn Law School, James Friedman combines over fifteen years of music industry and marketing experience with a legal education rooted in intellectual property law, a busy schedule as a DJ, and an entrepreneurial streak that has seen him co-found and launch two independent record labels, as well as a music publishing company. Drawing from these diverse collaborative experiences, he brings a unique perspective to the intersection of art and commerce.

Kenton Parker
Los Angeles based Kenton Parker is an artist and designer. Gathering inspiration from popular culture and everyday life, Parker draws and paints a rich vocabulary of icons and motifs. He has maintained both a progressive edge and timeless style in all his work. Producing both design and fine art, Parker maintains a constant, provoking communication with his viewers.

Mahssa Taghinia
Mahssa holds fort in Los Angeles as part of the global B-Music collective and representative of the US branch of Finders Keepers Records. She is a curator, all around project & event coordinator for the label and handles sales & production. A selector of records of the 60s and 70s, Mahssa has DJ’d numerous events and toured around the world. Though her DJ sets are focused on “globally obscure recordings” she hosts parties of all styles of music, with NUIT NOIRE and CUREATION attracting global press. She is also owner of her brick and mortar shop in Los Angeles called Mount Analog.

Doug Pray
Director Doug Pray’s exuberant portraits of subcultures and maverick individuals have led him to three Sundance premieres, critical raves, and worldwide distribution. His feature documentaries include SURFWISE, SCRATCH, INFAMY, BIG RIG, HYPE!, and the Emmy-award winning ART & COPY. He has also directed dozens of commissioned short films and documentary style commercials for a wide range of clients, including Scion’s current “Make Every Second Count” campaign.  Born in Denver Colorado, Doug grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, and lives in Los Angeles where he attended UCLA film school. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and The Directors Guild of America.

Levi Maestro
Levi Maestro made a viral name for himself by documenting his life, his way, with his widely popular online show ‘Maestro Knows.’ Shot, produced, and directed entirely by himself, ‘Maestro Knows’ enlightens viewers to worlds beyond their reach by not only bridging gaps, but cementing them as well.

We want to thank everyone who has joined us on the ride, and encourage you to continue following the passions that move you.

Because the Scion family is composed of such a diverse group, we don’t often have the opportunity to bring all of our brands together for shared events. However, during late February, we had the chance to do exactly that as Scion, Scion A/V, and Scion Racing all got together for a day at the racetrack.

We shipped four Scion FR-S’ out to the Streets of Willow to represent the Scion brand, while Scion A/V artists, A$AP Ferg, Dave Witte, Drop The Lime, Eli Reed, Rob Dukes, and SKYWLKR were there to take the cars around the track. Of course, they needed a few lessons before we set them loose, and Scion Racing was more than happen to offer the services of Formula Drift drivers Fredric Aasbo and Ken Gushi.

Jarod DeAnda, known to racing enthusiasts as The Voice of Formula Drift, was on hand to host the day’s activities. Jarod has previously worked with us on a few of our other projects, including the Scion iQ press reveal, the Scion FR-S commercial spot, and the 2012 Scion Tuner Challenge, so we knew he’d be the perfect person to bring all the branches of the Scion family together.

Our film crew gave Jarod and the Scion A/V guys a quick rundown of what the day’s schedule had in store for them.

Once that was completed, the guys suited and got themselves dialed in for all of the racing that awaited.

While that was going on, we handed the keys over to Ken and Fredric, who took the cars around the Streets of Willow for a few warm up laps.

Unfortunately, once we set them loose, we couldn’t get Ken and Fredric to keep the cars still long enough to take some photos, so this picture of a helmet on a Scion FR-S will have to do instead.

After they had finally decided they were done drifting the cars around the track, Ken and Fredric slid the cars into place and the racing lesson was about to begin.

The Scion A/V group listened intently while Jarod had Ken and Fredric explain the basics of racing. During the classroom session, Ken was being his usual demonstrative self.

Once they’d had their fill of instruction, the Scion A/V was broken down into two teams captained by each of the Scion Racing drivers, which would compete against each other for the fastest cumulative time. Team Aasbo consisted of SKYWLKR, A$AP Ferg, and Dave Witte.

Squaring off against them was Team Gushi, whose roster was filled out by Rob Dukes, Eli Reed, and Drop The Lime.

Jarod DeAnda spent a few quick moments breaking down the rules, before they finally set off around the track.

And, of course, the Scion A/V guys couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel of the Scion FR-S after spending all day prepping.

After everyone had a chance to take the cars out for a lap, times were tallied up and a winner was announced. You’ll have to stay tuned for the video to find out who won, but what we can say is that everyone had a great day and a great time.

While everyone was exhausted at the end of the day, it was a fantastic way to come together and show what being a part of the Scion brand is about. The event wouldn’t have been possible without the help of everyone at Scion, Scion Audio/Visual, Scion Racing, and of course, all of the Scion owners everywhere who’ve made this possible. We’ll be bringing you all of the footage from the Scion FR-S shoot soon, so be sure to check back in!

Travis got his start by simply picking up a guitar and seeing what he was capable of doing with it. Being encouraged by his dad to share his music with others led Travis down a path that snowballed into the career he has today. While it’s a 24/7 job that requires lots of work even during his time off, it’s also a job that pays off in a few less apparent ways.

Moving from venue to venue and taking in new bands gives Travis the opportunity to give them something that the industry gave him – a chance to make it. According to Travis, “I’m the kind of guy that will listen to single demo, CD, tape, or record that comes in, just because someone took the time to send that in.” By helping others Make Every Second Count, he gets the chance to serve as an ambassador for the same music industry that’s made him one of its own.

Make Every Second Count: Life of Music is available for viewing below, and you can find out more about Travis’ music at the following link.

www.facebook.com/iamtravishayes

Lisa’s 2^nd place finish on the show gave her the confidence she needed to turn Nonna’s Kitchenette into her full time job. Although running the truck is hard work, often requiring her to stay up late into the night preparing ingredients, being able to set an example for other women who want to live out their dreams makes it worthwhile for Lisa and her dedicated team.

Nonna’s Kitchenette may have stepped into the industry as an underdog, but Lisa has shown that it’s possible to successfully break into a tough business by Making Every Second Count. With lines of customers following her truck wherever it goes, she’s proven if you’re committed to turning your dreams into a reality, there’s always a way to pull through.

Make Every Second Count: Street Friendly Food is up for viewing below. You can find more about Lisa’s food truck, Nonna’s Kitchentte, at the following link.

http://nonnaskitchenette.com/

As someone who was raised a cycling enthusiast, Danny spent his life learning what it takes to make in on a bike in LA. With help from his father, he was able to use his knowledge to turn Downtown LA Bicycles into a resource to educate current and potential new riders on the rules of the road.

Whether it’s on his bike or while he’s in the Scion xB, Danny is Making Every Second Count by being an active part of the city’s growing cycling movement. In his own words, “my dream is really to share that passion, get more people into a healthier lifestyle, and make a change.”

Check out the full Make Every Second Count: High Gear video below, and don’t forget to stop by the Downtown LA Bicycles site at the following link!

www.downtownlabicycles.com

Based in Los Angeles, Maestro Knows is a documentary-styled series that follows the lives of Levi and his Friends.  While the show gives Levi an outlet through which he can express both himself and his creativity, it also serves as his way of highlighting the importance of the people in his life.

According to Levi, “In life, we’re really good at celebrating people once they’ve passed. Someone passes away and all of a sudden we have so much great stuff to say about them.” With his work on Maestro Knows, Levi Makes Every Second Count by using the show to “celebrate people now.”

Catch Levi’s in Make Every Second Count: Life, Camera Action in the video below, and find episodes of Maestro Knows, at the following link.

http://vimeo.com/maestroknows

Bryant began Making Every Second Count as a grassroots activist in New York, where he held workshops for young people in urban communities to educate them about the role one’s diet plays in maintaining personal health and well-being. In his own words, “It’s really a personal mission. It’s really about me wanting to prolong the life of the people I care about.”

From there, he began authoring cookbooks and speaking at public events as a means of further reaching out to the community. Bryant’s activism extends to his personal life, where he grows many of his own ingredients in order to prove that living a sustainable lifestyle is much more than a mere passing fad.

Watch the full Make Every Second Count: Healthy Mission short film below, and find out more about Bryant Terry at the following link.

http://www.bryant-terry.com/

Each of the five films in the series follows a different subject as they take us through the minutiae of what’s for them, a typical day: Lisa Nativo shuttling around ingredients for new food truck business in a Scion xD, Levi Maestro in a Scion FR-S filming scenes around the city for his online show, chef/food activist Bryant Terry using a Scion iQ to transport produce from his garden , cycling enthusiast and shop owner Danny Farahirad hauling his bike in a Scion xB, and music promoter Travis Hayes Busse using a Scion tC to travel to new venues.

Through their narration, the series gives us a chance to learn how they developed an interest in each of their respective industries, the steps they took to making a career out of those interests, and the satisfaction they’ve found as a result of making that leap. Along the way, we also see how each of their Scion models help move them through their day.

The new 30 second commercial spots are available for viewing below, and all five of the full vignettes are available to watch at the Scion YouTube channel. Be sure to check back in over the course of the next few weeks for more info about our Make Every Second Count series!

Held late last year over a two month period, Blick Madness made its way to 70 college campuses across the country, as well as all 38 Blick locations nationwide. At each of the events, participants were able to decorate their own Scion iQ displays while enjoying live music, games, festivities, and giveaways. Select Blick stores even took delivery of wrapped Scion iQs, allowing visitors the chance to put their own spin on the car with a fresh coat of paint.

Participants also had the chance to enter to win one of two Scion iQs by entering the sweepstakes either in store, or at any of the Blick Madness events. Entries for the drawing were divided into two pools – one for the general public, and another one specifically for students. The winner of the general drawing came from an entry in New Mexico, where the car was delivered in late December. Meanwhile, Morgan Beem, a graduate student at the Savannah College of Art & Design, was selected as the winner from the student drawing. As part of Morgan’s contest win, her school will also be receiving $5000 to support their annual scholarship gala.

The event was a huge success, and we were especially thrilled to see the huge variety of designs created using the Scion iQ as a canvas. Check out our images below for a look at some of the creations from Blick Madness!

Of course, we’ve made a few modifications to the Scion FR-S to prepare it for any of the bumps and bruises it might acquire over the course of the race. The interior was outfitted with a full roll cage to help protect the drivers, and they’ll be strapped into their seats with a five point harness. Each of the TPCR Scion FR-S’ will also have a fire extinguisher, kill switch, and window net installed to round out the added safety features.

Although the motor in the TPCR FR-S is largely stock, we did manage to save some space for a few performance parts from TRD. Under the hood of the car, you’ll find a new TRD air intake box, while a TRD exhaust system custom made for the Scion FR-S peeks out from the rear. The stock suspension in the FR-S was also swapped out for a custom set of TRD adjustable coilovers.

The 17” wheels you’ll find on a standard FR-S have also been removed, and in its place, we’ve put in an 18 x 7.5 in. set, also from TRD, which are wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza RE11 tires. And finally, the cars are outfitted with a Scion accessory spoiler for a bit of downforce, but mostly to give it a more aggressive appearance. Most of the TRD parts on this Scion FR-S will be available to purchase from your local Toyota/Scion dealership.

Scion Racing’s own Ken Gushi stopped by the garage to help us give a quick walkaround of all the modifications we’ve made to the car. Watch the video to hear his thoughts on the build, and check out the infographic on the TPCR Scion FR-S below for a more detailed look at car. If you want to see more photos of the completed FR-S, be sure to head over to our Facebook page to see the album at the following link!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.539074562781410.114003.107485019273702&type=1

Collecting its first award of the new year, the Scion FR-S captured the Best of 2013 award from Cars.com, an online review and consumer information website. The win was announced at a Cars.com event surrounding the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and shared with the Subaru BRZ.

To earn the Best of 2013 overall award, the FR-S competed against all new and redesigned vehicles. Judges applauded the FR-S driving experience and affordability across all categories. First winning the best sports car award, the FR-S also bested competitors in the best SUV, midsize sedan, luxury sedan, pickup and hybrid categories to earn the overall prize.

“Winning the Best of 2013 award is an honor and evidence of the sustained energy around the FR-S,” said Scion Vice President Doug Murtha. “As many drivers have discovered, the FR-S is truly bringing the sport back to the car.”

For more information about the Cars.com awards and the FR-S award, visit www.cars.com/awards

Each film in the Scion FR-S Interactive Brochure was created with contributions from a Scion A/V artist, a list that includes Luis Salcedo, Amun Levy, SIT, Jason Stang, and Alejandro Hernandez. Music for the films is provided by LOL Boys, Pools, Trolley Snatcha, Boris, and Analogue Monsta.

Explore the full Scion FR-S Interactive Brochure at ScionAV.com/FRS

Three months of hard work in the garage finally paid off for Chris Basselgia of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, as his “Minty FReSH” FR-S build earned first place in the Scion FR-S Tuner Challenge!

Named for its uniquely colored finished, Basselgia’s FR-S was the result of his efforts to enhance the car’s clean lines while offering a premium experience inside the cabin. Although there was a focus on quality audio, he ensured that his build’s performance wouldn’t suffer by adding a supercharger under the hood. Combined with the car’s lip kit and custom leather interior, it was easy to see why the judges saw fit to award his car the $10,000 grand prize.

John Toca’s “Carbon Stealth FR-S” ended up taking second place, with a build that was equal parts show and go. Toca’s build was outfitted with a number of one-off carbon fiber parts, including a rear diffuser, roof, and hood scoop to decrease the car’s already low weight. The motor in his FR-S was outfitted with a supercharger, and the interior outfitted with a variety of premium sound enhancements.

Finishing third was Daniel Song, whose “FR-S GT” was built around a pure race car theme. Accordingly, the interior was completely gutted, leaving nothing in the way of audio, in favor of performance and exterior modifications. Among his mods were a large rear wing, a widebody kit, and a carbon fiber wrap covering the entirety of the vehicle.

All three tuners submitted exceptional entries, and we came away impressed by what they were able to do with the Scion FR-S. We’re certain that all three will serve as an inspiration for tuners looking for ideas for their own cars, and are looking forward to seeing some of the results on the street!

If you can’t make it out, we’ve still got you covered – just grab the iPad exclusive Scion Paper Shapers app in the App Store. Within the app, you’ll be able to create and personalize your own Shin Tanaka x Scion paper toy with everything from paint, logos, wheels, and Scion Racing decals of your own choosing, and print it via WiFi to begin making your own model.

Grab the app at the iTunes link below, and also check out NOTCOT’s article on the Scion Paper Shapers!

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/id582923411?mt=8

http://www.notcot.com/archives/2012/11/scion-x-shin-tanaka-paper-shap.php

]]> http://www.scion.com/blog/2012/12/13/shin-tanaka-x-scion-paper-shapers-ipad-app-now-available/feed/ 1 http://www.scion.com/blog/2012/12/03/check-out-the-new-scion-display-at-the-la-auto-show/ http://www.scion.com/blog/2012/12/03/check-out-the-new-scion-display-at-the-la-auto-show/#comments Mon, 03 Dec 2012 23:31:01 +0000 brentray http://www.scion.com/blog/?p=2530

The 2012 LA Auto Show is in full swing, and we’ll be there showing off all five of our models until it wraps up on December 9th. The show is open to the public so be sure to stop by the Scion space for a firsthand look at everything we’ve got there, from the fuel-efficient Scion iQ to our interactive touch surface displays with videos and pictures from Scion, Scion Racing, and Scion A/V. Take a look at a few of our pictures for a glimpse of everything Scion at the LA Auto Show.

The first ever Scion FR-S Cup, presented in collaboration with the team at HPI Racing, took place at Toyota Headquarters on the morning of November 17^th. Although the weather was cold and, at times, uncooperative, there was still a great turn out with a ton of racers, vendors, media and spectators all in attendance.

The races took center stage for the day, with approximately 100 competitors pitting their Scion FR-S RC cars against one another on the track. The field was divided into three classes for skill levels ranging from beginner to expert, with the winners from each class facing off for the title of the Scion FR-S Cup Champion. Among the field were a few familiar names from the Scion Racing teams, including Dynamic Autosports Scion tC driver Michele Abbate, and Need for Speed Drift tC team manager Stephan Papadakis.

Between races, attendees also had the chance to check out the Scion vehicle demo area, and take an up close look at products from vendors like FIVE:AD, OEM Audio +, Beat-Sonic, and a whole lot more. Catering for lunch came courtesy of the Seoul Sausage Company, while the B Sweet Dessert Truck stopped by to provide the group with pastries for desserts.

Thanks to everyone who showed up, from the racers and pit crews, to the vendors and spectators, without whom the HPI Racing Scion FR-S Cup wouldn’t have been possible!

The Scion Solutions app is now available for Android devices!

The Scion Solutions application allows an existing Toyota Financial Services customer to make a payment or obtain payoff information on an existing Toyota Financial Services account.

TFS account holders may either register for account access from this application, or use existing login credentials registered on toyotafinancial.com.

Download the app now on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tmcc.click2pay.scionsolutions

Late last month, we brought 50 Scion FR-S owners to Scion Headquarters to take part in the Scion to SEMA caravan to Las Vegas. The 300-mile journey through the desert started during the early morning hours of October 31, 2012, and took the drivers out to the SEMA Show, where the Scion FR-S took center stage for the first time.

We were on hand to capture every moment of the six-hour ride there, from the drivers’ initial meet to the final stretch of highway leading into the grounds of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The full video will be available in the coming weeks, but until then, here’s a peek at what took place during the trip there:

The 2012 Scion xD is a versatile hatchback that comes fully loaded, even when empty. Some of Scion A/V’s talented artists and musicians helped us put together an Interactive Brochure highlighting everything the car has to offer, from unique styling and premium audio, to its ample cargo space and numerous safety features.

You’ll have the chance to set a new high score in a game designed to showcase the Scion xD’s handling, hear stories about experiences with the car around town, and watch a unique walkthrough of the many accessories that come standard on the xD.

The Scion xD Interactive Brochure was created with contributions from arists Sandy Kim, Anna Taratiel, Best Coast, Plastic Flesh, Arms Race, Jeff Lamm, Employed Lloyd, and Mackie Osborne.

Explore the full Scion xD Interactive brochure at ScionAV.com/xD.

As the original Scion sports coupe, the Scion tC comes packed with a ton of features that make it anything but standard. Scion A/V collaborated with a few talented artists to highlight a few of its best features in the Scion tC Interactive Brochure, and give you a unique look at exactly how the car comes dressed to impress.

The Scion tC’s interactive brochure features a series of videos that showcase its premium offerings, including its front and rear glass roof, premium audio and sound system, and its sporty but refined exterior styling.

The Scion tC Interactive Brochure was created with contributions from artists French, Rogue Status, Nikao Yang, Cheyne Nadeau, PMKFA, Stefan Narancc, Star Eyes, Evelyn Lee, Alex Czetwertynski, Employed Lloyd, and Abdul Haqq.

Explore the full Scion tC Interactive brochure at ScionAV.com/tC

The Scion xB has a lot of imitators, but it’s the only one with a feature set that checks all the boxes. Scion A/V put together an Interactive Brochure of the xB that takes an in depth look at all the things it brings to the table, including generous cargo room, standard power windows and locks, and of course, its one of kind styling.

In the xB Interactive Brochure, you’ll get the chance to see the car haul turntables and bikes around the city, read through a comic detailing its unique appearance both inside and out, and take a detailed glance at all the safety features we packed in.

The Scion xB Interactive Brochure was created with contributions from artists 13^th Witness, Artus DeLavilleon, Employed Lloyd, Scott Kelley, Pomp&Clout, and Greg Bojorquez.

Explore the full Scion xB Interactive brochure at ScionAV.com/xB

Customization has been a core part of the Scion brand since its inception back in 2002, and the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas is always a great opportunity for us to see what the tuning community is capable of doing with a canvas as open to modifications as our vehicles are. This year’s event turned out to be one of our largest showings ever, with upwards of 40 Scions being spotted on the Las Vegas Convention Center Floor.

We kicked the show off with a bang, with our newest model, the 2013 Scion FR-S, bringing home the Hottest Sport Compact Award on its first time out. On hand to accept it on our behalf was Jaycie Dane, the Scion Corporate Manager. The award is given to the vehicle that provides the best base for specialty equipment add-ons and creativity, and it was particularly exciting to receive because we can’t wait to see where the aftermarket ends up taking the FR-S.

The Scion Racing team also made a few waves at the 2012 SEMA Show as well, with the official unveiling of the Ken Stout Racing Scion FR-S that will be competing in next year’s Pirelli World Challenge series. Under its hood, the car pairs an FA20 boxer engine with an all-new TRD Supercharger that bumps its horsepower output up considerably. The KSR Scion FR-S will be piloted by Robert Stout, who has two national championships and four championships overall to his name.

And finally, we saw a wide variety of Scion builds out on the floor, including FR-S’ tuned by Evasive Motorsports, Meguiars, Cartel/MV Designs, and Fatlace. The Need for Speed Scion tC driven by Fredric Aasbo of Scion Racing was spotted in the Hankook booth, while the Scion Rally xD team was on hand to show off the all new Scion xD they’ve prepared for next season. We even caught a pair of modified Scion iQs out at the Sony display.

While it was a busy week overall, we were excited to see the very welcome reception the Scion FR-S received, as well as the overwhelming amount of praise it got. The tuning community’s quick embrace of the 86 platform makes us even more thrilled to call the FR-S a member of the Scion family of cars.

As part of our buildup to the 2012 SEMA Show, we invited 50 Scion FR-S owners out to the Toyota USA Headquarters in Torrance, CA to join us in an FR-S exclusive Scion to SEMA caravan to the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The group met up during the very early morning hours of October 31^st in the parking lot of the Toyota Automobile Museum. There, the drivers has the chance to meet one another, get acquainted, and of course, discuss some of the modifications they’d each made to their FR-S’. A few members of Toyota enthusiast site Club4AG made it out for the drive, as well as representatives from OEM Audio +, Meguiars, Edmunds, and the Garage FR-S project.

After checking in and sitting through a quick meeting drivers meeting about the drive to SEMA, the group hopped in their cars and began the 300 mile trek down the 15 Freeway. We’re sure the Scion to SEMA drivers turned more than a few heads, as the caravan stretched more than a mile long when the cars were line up single file.

Several hours of driving brought the group to quick pit stops in Lenwood, CA, and Baker, CA, where they were able to grab a quick snack, take some pictures, and apply the Scion FR-S to SEMA decals to their windshields. A few more hours on the road, and they eventually arrived at the SEMA Show, where they were given their own parking spot and a had the opportunity to sit in on a press conference for the event at the Scion Booth.

The group had several hours to walk around and explore all the vehicles that were at the industry-only show, before they checked into their hotel rooms at the Mandalay Bay. Later that evening, everyone in the Scion to SEMA caravan was treated to dinner at Tao Restaurant & Nightclub, where the event finally came to a close.

We want to thank all the Scion FR-S owners who joined us for the event, and we hope everyone had a great time!

The Scion FR-S earned industry recognition today with the Hottest Sport Compact award on the first day of the 2012 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas.

The annual SEMA Show brings together specialty-equipment manufacturers and industry leaders to showcase the best in vehicle customization and new accessories. The Hottest Sport Compact award is granted to the vehicle that proves to be the year’s best blank canvas for specialty equipment add-ons and creativity.

Scion introduced the FR-S earlier this year, and it arrived in U.S. showrooms in June surrounded by intense buzz and excitement.

“Scion is honored the FR-S earned the SEMA Hottest Sport Compact award, which adds the judges’ esteemed endorsement to the thousands of enthusiastic owners who have already taken this sports car to the next level in a few short months,” said Scion Corporate Manager Jaycie Dane. “Customization is a core component of the Scion brand, making the SEMA show a perfect spot to showcase the vast possibilities of the FR-S.”

The FR-S (which stands for front-engine, rear-wheel drive, sport) comes standard with a 2.0-liter flat boxer engine that produces an impressive 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. The sports car is distinctive for its lightweight design, impressive performance and affordability. The FR-S costs $24,200 MSRP with a six-speed manual transmission or $25,300 MSRP with a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Dynamic Rev Management technology.

“As soon as it arrived, the FR-S has been a top pick among those in the specialty equipment industry for its power, authenticity and ability to inspire customization,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA’s president and CEO. “The FR-S is this year’s hottest sport compact and looks likely to continue to excite owners and industry insiders for years to come.”

Drawing on Toyota’s long history in performance cars and motorsports, the Scion’s engine is mounted extremely low with a favorable front-to-rear weight ratio and dynamically low center of gravity comparable to some exotic supercars.

The FR-S is covered by Scion’s standard three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. It also comes with Scion Service Boost, a complimentary plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, and two years of 24-hour roadside assistance.

Scion Corporate Manager, Jaycie Dane, holding the Hottest Sport Compact Award earned by the Scion FR-S at SEMA.

Chris Basselgia’s FR-S, dubbed “Minty FReSh” after its unique coloring, brought together his vision of functionality and class. The modifications he included on the exterior of his build focused on enhancing the already clean lines of the FR-S, while maintaining a degree of both elegance and aggressiveness. Similarly, the interior of the Minty FReSh Scion FR-S was designed to give its passengers a premium experience that still allowed them to enjoy the supercharged power plant sitting under its hood.

Conversely, Daniel Song’s “FR-S GT” was, from the start, created to give off the appearance of being an all-out race car. Accordingly, the FR-S GT completely eschews any sort of audio set up whatsoever, and instead goes for a gutted, performance oriented look inside. The exterior of the build was covered in a carbon fiber wrap, and was fitted with a custom wide bodykit and large rear spoiler to finish off the track-ready look.

Meanwhile, John Toca’s “Carbon Stealth FR-S” attempted to bring everything together, with considerable amounts of both show and go. Built for the streets, his car features a premium audio setup for rolling around town. However, because his FR-S build also keeps performance in mind, he kept many of the audio features removable for times when performance needs to be the focus. And, to back up its aggressive look, the Carbon Stealth FR-S is powered by a supercharger under the hood.

We’ll be announcing the winner of the Scion FR-S Tuner challenge later this week, but in the meantime, be sure to check out some more images of the finished cars that will be vying for the title!

Minty FReSh FR-S – Chris Basselgia (Lebanon, PA)

FR-S GT – Daniel Song (Orange County, CA)

Carbon Stealth FR-S – John Toca (Chicago, IL)

On October 25^th, Scion brought the tuners behind some of the best Scion FR-S builds to the Smog Shoppe in Los Angeles for a chance to show off their cars before they headed out to SEMA. We’re sure that the cars will be getting more than their fair share of publicity once they make it out to Las Vegas, but for many of us in attendance, this was our first chance to really see what the aftermarket community is capable of doing with a canvas as inviting as the FR-S.

Chris Basselgia, Daniel Song, and John Toca, the three men competing in the Scion FR-S Tuner Challenge, were there to unveil their completed builds after three long months of hard work in the garage. Joining them at the event were four other unique FR-S builds, created by Evasive Motorsports, Fatlace, Meguiars, and Cartel/MV Designs that were also making their debut at the party, giving us a look at what they have in store for SEMA.

We’ll be bringing you more updates once SEMA rolls around later this week, but in the meantime, be sure to take a look at some of our exclusive pictures from the Scion pre-SEMA party!

Chris Basselgia

Based out of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Chris Basselgia’s goals for his FR-S build included creating a car that remained enjoyable and drivable on the street, while simultaneously giving it an extremely low stance and making it stand out in a crowd. Likewise, as a musician, he wanted to ensure that his FR-S would produce quality sound without going overboard. While he’s out to prove that the East Coast’s best cars are capable of turning as many heads as anything the rest of the country has to offer, he’ll have his hands full competing with the other two tuners.

Daniel Song

Daniel Song’s Southern California upbringing put him in the heart of tuner car culture, something he’s been a part of for over 15 years. Inspired by the test cars that run in Japan’s GT300 series, Daniel wanted his FR-S build to look, in his words, “evil and sinister.” And, as his FR-S was designed to be as close to a racecar as possible, he chose to forego any audio set-up whatsoever. Though he held off on making any performance modifications until the end, we’re sure he has some surprises under the hood in store.

John Toca

As a Chicago native through and through, John Toca sought out to infuse his FR-S build with as much Midwest culture as he could. Focusing on performance as much as show, John’s FR-S was built using a number of custom fabricated carbon fiber parts, and was topped off with a supercharger to provide some forced induction. Although his team faced a number of delays during the process of modifying the car, they were able to pull everything together with time to spare and have the car ready to go for SEMA.

We’ll be bringing you more updates from SEMA as the Scion FR-S Tuner Challenge draws nearer, so be sure to follow along!

Scion today launched its new program, Motivate, targeting young entrepreneurs in the creative arts community with chances to win a personal business mentor, $10,000 and a Scion vehicle to promote career success. Building on the recently launched Scion “What Moves You” brand campaign, applicants between the ages of 18 and 35 are invited to submit written responses and a 60-second video describing career passions and the resources needed to achieve their goals.

Applications are accepted beginning today at www.scion.com/motivate until January 31, 2013, or until 5,000 applications have been received.

“Scion’s customers have long been among the youngest in the industry, but many are also characteristically self-starters with strong interest in pursuing their passions,” said Scion Vice President Doug Murtha. “Drawing on the unique strengths of our creative communities and Scion’s commitment to the arts, we designed a powerful way to support young entrepreneurs in pursuing their dreams.  We hope to inspire young leaders to seize the day and succeed.”

After a review of applications, 50 semi-finalists will be selected to attend a three-day workshop with industry leaders to learn essential skills they can use to improve their businesses. Participants will be given an opportunity to revise and incorporate the lessons into their entries before 10 winners are selected at the event’s close.  Top winners have their choice of any Scion vehicle as part of the prize package. Runners-up each will be given a $1,000 grant.

Throughout almost 10 years in business, Scion has found common identity with the arts community and has supported more than 1,700 artists through galleries, music events and other efforts. The “What Moves You” brand campaign presents the passions of Scion’s many creative partners, and how the carmaker’s support has helped them achieve their goals.

“Supporting emerging artists is a Scion cornerstone, and we are featuring their personal stories as key parts of this brand campaign,” said national marketing and communications manager Owen Peacock. “The recent introductions of the FR-S sports car and the premium micro-subcompact iQ have broadened Scion’s reach to new audiences, but we want our unique passion and business approach to continue to shine through.”

The Motivate program will be supported with TV, print and online ads that begin appearing today on key lifestyle- and business-targeted media platforms across the country.  Watch the Motivate TV spot below. Full contest rules and restrictions are available at www.scion.com/motivate.

About Scion

Scion, from Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., was developed with a new generation of youthful buyers in mind. Scion’s mission is to provide distinctive products, the opportunity to personalize, and an innovative, consumer-driven process at the retail level. The brand features five groundbreaking models with a wide array of standard features: the xD urban subcompact five-door, the iconic xB urban utility vehicle, the tC sports coupe, the premium micro-subcompact iQ and the FR-S rear-wheel drive sports car. The Scion brand often applies new practices in all aspects of its business and pushes the creativity envelope with non-traditional advertising and marketing to engage young consumers. Scion also supports originality through its programs in the artistic community. For more information, visit www.scion.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photography and digital assets for the Motivate program can be found at www.ScionNewsroom.com.

The Scion FR-S built for the SEMA Show by Car Guy Nation has made it through everything from long drives and heavy rainstorms, but it’s still making its trip to Las Vegas completely unfazed.

The team kicked off their journey with a launch event at Johnston’s Toyota and Scion in New Hampton, New York that featured everything from catered food, games, giveaways, and even a local radio station supplying the music. Because it was also the debut of the Car Guy Nation FR-S, it gave enthusiasts their first chance to see the completed car with all of its mods and livery in place.

From there, the Scion Road to SEMA took the Car Guy Nation FR-S on its first extended trip, making it all the way to Cincinnati, Ohio for a stop at King’s Scion. In spite of having a full car and loaded roof box, the FR-S still managed to put out 25 mpg while cruising on the highway. After being shown off at another event, Car Guy Nation was back on the road.

Don’t forget to head over to their blog for detailed updates from the Scion Road to SEMA, as well as commentary on how their mods are holding up. You can also follow them at any of the links below:

 Car Guy Nation Blog

Car Guy Nation on Facebook

@CarGuyNation on Twitter

On Instagram @CarGuyNation

New to the team for the 2012 was Tony Angelo, who made a highly anticipated return to competition after spending the last three years as both a judge and technical manager for the Formula Drift organization. His solid performances throughout the year helped to dispel any notion of rust being an issue after extended time away, and proved that the Drift Alliance co-founder was still as strong of a driver as he ever was on the track.

Tony’s skill behind the wheel powered the TAngelo Racing Scion tC past the qualifying rounds at every event, and to the Top 16 at both Road Atlanta and Irwindale Speedway. He would eventually go on to finish the season ranked 23^rd out of a field of over 60 drivers – a respectable showing, especially for a driver working through the kinks of an unfamiliar car.

Scion Racing’s most veteran driver, Ken Gushi, faced a similar proposition, as he took the wheel of the GReddy Racing Scion FR-S for its competitive racing debut. GReddy’s long history working with Toyota’s various motorsports programs made them a natural partner for the FR-S, as they’ve proven time and time again that they have the ability to find success in any racing discipline.

A team like GReddy anchoring a driver as skilled as Ken made for a formidable combination, as they showed by ascending the Formula Drift standings. The team ended up in the Top 16 or better six times in seven events, highlighted by a 4^th place finish at Evergreen Speedway during Round 5. Taking 8^th place overall in just their first year with the FR-S is a telling sign of things to come for Ken and  the team, and something we fully expect to see manifest itself in 2013 and beyond.

Finally, just two seasons removed from his Formula Drift rookie year, Fredric Aasbo put out notice that would absolutely be a force to be reckoned with from here on out. The Papadakis Racing crew was responsible for preparing Aasbo’s Need for Speed Scion tC for the second year running, and had the factory 2AR block pushing out over 700 horsepower by the season’s end.

Aasbo’s aggressive, yet consistent driving style earned him one victory after another, ultimately culminating in a 6^th place finish for 2012. His strong performances included two podium finishes, as he earned 2^nd place at both Road Atlanta and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Aasbo’s driving in Las Vegas was especially memorable, as he was forced to stare down four former FD champions along the way, and did so without missing a step. Accordingly, the team was recognized with several awards at the end of the season, including “Best Drifting Style,” “Fan Favorite Driver of the Year,” and “Team Manager of the Year.”

The Scion Racing program is extremely proud of what all three teams and drivers have accomplished this year, and how far they’ve each made it on their journey to the top. We’re looking forward to what one more year of experience and data will bring each of them, and can’t wait to see them back on the track in 2013!  Check out the Scion Racing Blog for more news about Scion’s race teams.

Over 11,000 Scion Owners made it to this year’s Scion Night

Scion owners gathered with their families and friends at Southern California theme park Knott’s Berry Farm on October 17, 2012, to donate a Toys for Tots gift and gain entry to haunted mazes, musical performances and rides. It was the ninth year of Scion Night at Knott’s Scary Farm, the carmaker’s largest owner appreciation event.

The Marines man the Toys for Tots donation area.

Scion Owners donated more than 25,000 toys to Toys for Tots

Scion owners brought an estimated 25,000 toy donations for Toys for Tots. The Marines were there in full uniform to oversee the donation drive and brought some of their own military vehicles with them, too. In addition to the donation drive, guests checked out aftermarket exhibits, had a blast on the inflatable amusements and carnival games, and partied to DJ Jeremiah Red and Hard Copy Rebels. In the La Plaza area of the Knott’s parking lot, there were five of Orange County’s best food trucks: Dogzilla, The Lime Truck, Longboards, Barcelona on the Go, and Sexy Burger.

Test driving the 2013 Scion FR-S

Scion Racing’s Ken Gushi putting on a show for everyone at Scion Night

One of four Twitter contest winners who got to ride shotgun for a hot lap with Ken Gushi

Guests could also test drive the Scion FR-S, and the four hot lap winners were able to ride with Ken Gushi in his stock FR-S.  Throughout the day, four different followers of Scion’s @ScionNightKSF Twitter account won raffle prizes, including HD Radio gear and sound systems from Pioneer. The tailgate party ended with Ken Gushi’s drifting demo before the park opened its gates for the guests to enter.

Guests check out the ‘Halloween walk’ comprised of black and orange FR-S vehicles.

Inside the park DJ Ravi Drums and iLuminate put on a great show. Guests were then able to explore and get terrified inside Knott’s Scary Farm until it closed at one in the morning.

By the end of the night, Knott’s Scary Farm saw an estimated 11,500 Scion owners in approximately 3,000 Scion vehicles attend. Thank you to all who came out, and a big thank you to HD Radio, KROQ, and Pioneer for all your support.

Car Guy Nation’s Scion FR-S build for the Scion Road to SEMA is finished, and their 2600 mile journey to SEMA is kicking off this Saturday, October 20^th at Johnston’s Toyota & Scion in New York!

The completed Scion FR-S features parts and upgrades from a number of vendors, including Borla, Escort, Vredestein, TSW, Eibach, GoPro, Airaid, Katzkin, Race Ramps, Hawk, Disc Brakes Australia, ADVENT, Auto Action, PIAA, Adams Premium Car Care, Rack&GO, Luna-C Clothing, and Braille Battery. Additionally, its original Hot Lava paint scheme was covered in a matte black and white vinyl wrap, prepared by James Tint in Middletown, NY.  To protect it from stray debris on the way to Vegas, the FR-S was also outfitted with a protective layer and tear-off on its windshield.

The Scion Road to SEMA is kicking off with a launch party at Johnston’s Toyota & Scion on October 20^th, from 11am-1pm. From there, they’ll be hitting the trail until they make a second stop at Kings Scion in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 22^nd. After passing through the midwest, the Car Guy Nation FR-S will be at Stapp Interstate Scion in Frederick, CO on October 25^th from 5-8pm, before making its final detour on the way to SEMA at Desert Scion in Las Vegas on October 26^th. Each stop will be accompanied by food, entertainment, and giveaways, so you won’t want to miss out!

On the way to SEMA, the Car Guy Nation Scion FR-S will also be checking in with Matt Farah of Attack of the Show on G4TV. Matt and the Car Guy Nation crew will be taking the car back to the track for a few runs, as well as some skid pad testing for an upcoming episode of the show.

Track testing at Monticello Motor Club

Finally, upon reaching the end of the Scion Road to SEMA in Las Vegas, the FR-S will be cleaned off and loaded onto the Las Vegas Convention Center floor, where more than 100,000 people will get a chance to see the car after its proven itself on roads all across the country. To learn more about the Scion Road to SEMA powered by Car Guy Nation, visit them at any of the following links:

carguynation.com/blog

facebook.com/CarGuyNation

twitter.com/CarGuyNation

Instagram: @CarGuyNation

The Scion Road to SEMA – powered by Car Guy Nation, is a project that will take one Scion FR-S on a journey from New York to the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Car Guy Nation will be modifying a Scion FR-S with a number of parts and upgrades from various vendors, with the only requirement being that it remain both drivable and reliable. Upon completion of the build, they will be driving the FR-S across the country, stopping for a number of events along the way.

The project started back in April, when Allan Greenfield and Roger Garbow of Car Guy Nation spoke to Steve Jardine of Johnstons Toyota/Scion in New Hampton, NY about collaborating on a Scion FR-S project car for SEMA. However, because SEMA is an industry show, the number of people who would actually be able to see it would be relatively limited. So, to ensure that car enthusiasts would be able to take a look at it as well, the trio decided to drive the car to Las Vegas themselves instead of flying it out.

Car Guy Nation will be providing periodic updates from the road on their way to SEMA. Their updates will cover everything from the events that take place to their feedback on their Scion FR-S build. Johnstons Toyota/Scion is hosting the launch party for the event on October 20^th as they prepare the car for the 2600 mile trip to Las Vegas. If you want to follow them on the Scion Road to SEMA, visit Car Guy Nation at any of the following links:

facebook.com/CarGuyNation

carguynation.com/blog

Twitter/Instagram: @CarGuyNation

Scion today announced the launch of its brand campaign “What Moves You” featuring its own unique “Scion Story.” The campaign launches today at www.Scion.com and continues with targeted high-profile broadcast, print, online and out-of-home placements next week.

“The recent introductions of the FR-S sports car and the premium micro-subcompact iQ have expanded Scion’s target audience.  While these new products have successfully increased awareness of the lineup, many people have only a vague understanding of Scion’s uncommon brand attributes,” said Doug Murtha, Scion vice president. “With this in mind, the ‘What Moves You’ campaign is the first of several important initiatives designed to better familiarize consumers with the brand.”

“People know that Scion makes iconic vehicles that are built with the highest level of quality, but they might not know what Scion stands for and what makes it unique,” Murtha explained. “We’re truly proud to showcase the brand’s story in the new campaign, to clearly tell people who we are, what we support and more importantly, what moves us.”

Appearing prominently on the brand’s website, The Scion Story describes the colorful automotive brand’s history and plainly spells out its core beliefs. For example, it states, “We know that we are not the biggest car brand and we don’t want to be. What we do want is to provide a unique and better alternative that is right for today’s new car buyers.” This story describes Scion’s goal of offering quality cars that owners will want to personalize, with a simple purchase process that is enjoyable, and details the brand’s support of emerging talent in the art, music, design and automotive enthusiast realms.

The Scion Story on the Scion.com Website

“Since the brand launched nearly 10 years ago, Scion has had an affinity for the creative arts that has resulted in helping more than 1,700 artists follow their passions,” added Owen Peacock, Scion national marketing and communications manager. “Our support of emerging artists is and always has been a cornerstone of the brand and we bring that to light by featuring them and their personal stories as key parts of the campaign.”

Specifically, the “What Moves You” campaign incorporates Scion creative partners, their stories of what moves them and how Scion has supported them to achieve their goals. The broadcast spot features Scion collaborators like artist, Neil Krug and automotive designer, Troy Sumitomo, professional racing driver, Michele Abbate and musician Prince Terrence and his band Hussle Club.

Experience the “What Moves You” campaign now at www.Scion.com and read the  “Scion Story” at www.Scion.com/about.

Scion Night is coming! Updates will be announced here, as well as on our Facebook and Twitter.  Have any questions? Want more details? Keep reading!

What is Scion Night?

Scion Night at Knott’s Scary Farm is one of the largest Scion owner meet-ups in the country.  Scion continues their successful relationship with the Marines and their Toys for Tots’ donation drive, where Scion has helped collect over 60,000 toys.  If you own a Scion, head to Knott’s on October 17th to gain access to this awesome event!

• Come in a Scion, bring a toy for Toys for Tots, and drop it off to get a ticket to Knott’s Scary Farm!
• Walk through the FR-S “Halloween Walk” and check out the Scion family of rides.
• Hang out with KROQ’s Hard Copy Rebels and DJ Jeremiah Red!
• Experience the FR-S for yourself by driving it in our private road course.
• Hungry? Experience some of Southern California’s hottest food trucks.
• Participate in a variety of amusement areas and hang with other Scion owners
• Check out new ways to customize your ride with 5:AD, OEM Audio+, Optimize, Beat Sonic, and our other valued partners
• But wait there’s more…..inside the park, see Ravi Drums and iLumniate light up the stage at Calico Square. You won’t want to miss this!

When is it exactly?

• Wednesday, October 17th, 2012
• Parking lot opens at 2pm
• Knott’s Scary Farm doors opens at 7pm

What is the address?

Knott’s Berry Farm and Knott’s Berry Farm parking lot
8039 Beach Boulevard
Buena Park, CA 90620

Ticketing & Parking Procedure:

• Bring a toy valued at $10 or more
• All attendees must arrive to the event in a Scion wearing a seatbelt
• Receive a colored wristband
• Park and head to the Toys for Tots drop-off that is the same color as your wristband
• Drop off your toy & show your wristband to receive a Knott’s Scary Farm ticket
• No toy, no problem. Toys can be purchased in the parking lot if you forget to bring one.

But Remember…

• Parking is $20
• There are only 10,000 tickets available*

What is Toys for Tots?

The U.S. Marines runs the Toys for Tots program every year, and their mission is “to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.”  To learn more, visit their site: http://www.toysfortots.org/about_toys_for_tots/toys_for_tots_program/default.aspx

The Best FR-S Car Show

Scion is running a ‘car show’ on Instagram between October 12th and October 14th where FR-S owners can submit photos of their FR-S to Instagram. Garage FR-S (www.garagefrs.com) will judge the entries and select 10 finalists. One winner will be selected at Scion Night itself.

• To enter, submit a photo of your FR-S to Instagram with both the hashtags #ScionNightKSF and #GarageFRS
• 10 finalists will be chosen and notified via Scion’s Instagram (@Scion), Scion’s Facebook (facebook.com/scion), and email
• Official rules for the car show can be found at http://www.scion.com/blog/best-fr-s-car-showofficial-rules/

Twitter Giveaway

Scion will be running a Twitter giveaway between October 10th and October 12th where one randomly selected winner will get to ride along with Ken Gushi for a hot lap at Scion Night.

Check out the exciting Scion Night promo video here:

The race-tested TRD performance dual exhaust delivers a deeper and more resonant engine sound that enhances your FR-S’s presence and appearance.  Crafted with precision welds for a jewel-like appearance, the TRD exhaust is constructed entirely of stainless steel and features a polished-finished muffler with a double-walled, wide-diameter slant-cut exhaust tip and rolled edge.  With a TRD stamped logo on the tip and increase in performance, the dual exhausts adds to the FR-S’s street cred.

Suggest parts-only MSRP is $999.00* and will be available at dealers by September 28th, 2012.  Stay tuned for information about additional TRD products for your FR-S.

*Installation not included.  See your local Scion Dealer for installation pricing.  Price and product availability are subject to change without notice.

Bodyboarders from around the country hit the 2012 SCION JENKS PRO during the past week for the final round of the 2012 USBA Bodyboarding Championships. As primary sponsor, Scion was out in full force on the shores of Point Pleasant, NJ.

On the beach, thousands were treated to some nice Scion goodies, and a chance to win some sweet gear. Scion also made an extra sweet event for one local competitor – Sean Morin won a Scion sponsorship contest by topping a USBA online poll. His Scion sponsorship allowed him to compete as a Wild Card entry in the Mens Pro Division.

In the water, thanks to massive storm swells, competitors had plenty of prime opportunity to showcase their talents. When the sun set on the final day of the 2012 Scion Jenks Pro, Kahekili Labatte was the winner of the Men’s Pro division, Dave Hubbard won the Drop Knee division, and Izamar Vivas claimed the Women’s Pro competition.

With the final results from the Jenks Pro round in, the 2012 USBA national titles went to Jeff Hubbard (Men’s Pro), Dave Hubbard (Drop Knee), and Roberta Bitzer (Women’s Pro).

For more information on the event, check out www.usbatour.com. Thanks to all the Scion fans who stopped by during the 10 days of competition!

Whether you’re looking for a car with the practicality of a hatchback or a nimble and fun-to-drive sports coupe, Scion has something to perfectly fit you. The best part? You don’t have to empty your wallet to get behind the wheel of the one you have your eye on. The Scion iFi Retail and Lease Program can help you get your own set of keys even if you have a limited credit history.

iFi can help you finance up to $25,000 toward your new car, if qualified, requires no co-lessee or co-applicant, and  it can even  give you the opportunity to build out a healthy credit profile. Talk to your Scion dealer for more information, or click here to learn more about iFi.

The bad news is, those limited edition kicks that you slept outside the store for don’t have a service agreement. So if you take them out of the box and the heel falls off, you’re out of luck. The good news is, if anything happens to your Scion you can help protect it. To learn more about how you can extend your vehicle’s mechanical breakdown coverage after the warranty expires, watch the video.

The tC RS 8.0 is the product of Scion’s latest collaboration with design studio Five Axis and Toyota Racing Development (TRD). Troy Sumitomo, the founder of Five Axis, has had a long relationship with Scion dating as far back as his work on the Scion T2B concept in 2005. For the tC RS 8.0, Troy and the Five Axis team served as the inspiration for the full FIVE:AD RS aero kit it comes wrapped in.

Director Simon Needham (pictured pointing out lighting placement) of ATTIK creative agency was, of course, on hand as an active participant throughout the shoot. Needham has worked with Scion in the past, his previous work including both the ‘Zeus’ campaign for the previous Release Series run, as well as the currently airing Scion FR-S ads.

Although the full length video only clocks in at two and a half minutes, an entire day’s worth of work went into not just filming, but also preparing both the set and the car itself. The tC RS 8.0 was meticulously detailed inside and out between each scene to keep it looking its absolute best for the camera. Each shot went through several passes to get everything from the angle and the movement speed just right.

Being on-set was a great experience, and we’re proud of how the final video turned out. The entire crew was fantastic and did everything they could to help the tC RS 8.0 put its best foot forward. Likewise, everyone here at Scion was stoked to be part of what we think is one of the best Release Series models we’ve put out to date.

We hope you enjoyed this behind the scenes look at the tC RS 8.0 video. Visit http://www.scion.com/tCrs/ to watch the final video and get more details on the car itself!

Scion believes that graduating college and serving in the military are accomplishments that should not only be recognized but also rebated. Which is why we’re offering qualified customers a $1000 rebate towards any new Scion vehicle when you finance through your Scion dealer and Toyota Financial Services. It’s our way of showing appreciation for your smarts and your service, both of which make this country the amazing place that it is today. Offers cannot be combined. Check out the video for more information.

Standard or performance tires?  Matte or candy flake paint? One of the best things about getting your new Scion is the variety of options. Well that extends to how you pay for it too. Depending on how you drive, where you drive and your plans for the car in the future, it helps to know the pros and cons of buying and leasing. Not sure where to start? Check out the Buy or Lease video for more information.

Scion announced pricing today for its 2013 tC Release Series 8.0 (tC RS 8.0). Only 2,000 of the specially equipped sports coupes will be made and they will be available at dealer showrooms later this month. The tC RS 8.0 will be on display in the Scion pit area at the next round of Formula DRIFT in Monroe, Washington on July 22-23.

The 2013 tC RS 8.0 commands attention as it comes exclusively in Absolutely Red exterior paint with contrasting gloss black side view mirrors and matching black 18-inch alloy wheels. The tC’s aggressive exterior is further stylized with a unique five-piece body kit that was inspired by Troy Sumitomo of Five Axis that includes front and rear lower valences, side skirts and a rear spoiler.

To give the car even more attitude, the tC comes with performance parts from Toyota Racing Development (TRD). The tC RS 8.0 comes equipped standard with TRD lowering springs as well as a TRD exhaust system that is integrated into the center of the rear lower valence.

The interior of the tC features sporty seats that are wrapped in texturized black fabric with red stitching. The red stitching continues on the leather wrapped steering wheel. Each car comes with an individually numbered badge commemorating the unique model. When equipped with a six-speed automatic, the tC RS 8.0 features race-inspired steering wheel mounted paddle shifters for both sporty and convenient shifts.

The limited edition model will carry a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $21,815 and $22,865 when equipped with a six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmission respectively.  The MSRP does not include a delivery, processing and handling fee of $730. DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

Get a closer look at the tC RS 8.0 by visiting: http://www.scion.com/tCRS or by watching this detailed video:

All Scion models are covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The tC comes standard with Scion Service Boost, a complimentary plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, and two years of 24-hour roadside assistance.

Please visit http://scion/com/buy/credit101/ for more info.

For more info about the 2012 Scion iQ, please visit http://www.scion.com/iq.

Check out some photos of the places the iQs have gone already:

Photo by Drew Best

Photo by Katie Serbia

Photo by Alex Rosson

Scion announced that its 2013 FR-S rear-wheel drive sports car is available in dealerships nationwide. The high-performance coupe is the fifth model to join the Scion family and serves as the halo car for the brand.

“The incredibly positive buzz surrounding the FR-S has generated an impressive list of hand-raisers and pre-sold orders,” said Scion vice president Jack Hollis. “Scion is thrilled that the FR-S is now available throughout its strong network of about 1,000 dealers. We can’t wait for performance driving enthusiasts to get into the FR-S because we know that they are going to love it!”

Authentic Sports Car at an Affordable Price

The FR-S provides the automotive landscape with an authentic sports car at an affordable price, with a MSRP of $24,200 when equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, and $25,300 when equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission that features paddle shifters and Dynamic Rev Management technology.

The FR-S, which stands for Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport; comes standard with a 2.0-liter boxer engine that produces an impressive 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. The flat engine is mounted extremely low, giving the car a dynamically low center of gravity comparable to some exotic supercars.

Despite the engine’s powerful 100-horsepower per liter, the FR-S has EPA-estimated ratings of 34 mpg on the highway when paired with the automatic transmission, and EPA-estimated 30 mpg with the manual transmission.

The FR-S’s lightweight design allows it to be quick and nimble into and out of corners, with dynamic maneuverability and confident handling. The FR-S’s low weight is complimented by a dynamically tuned suspension setup consisting of MacPherson struts up front and a double wishbone system in the rear.

To help bring the rear-wheel-drive design to life, the FR-S features a standard Torsen® limited-slip differential, apportioning power to the rear wheels with precision and immediacy.

Lightweight 17×7-inch alloy wheels and ventilated disc brakes are standard on all four corners.

Performance-focused Interior

The FR-S’s interior includes a 2+2 seating configuration that is designed with both form and function in mind. The comfortable yet assertive front seats feature deep bolsters and are mounted extremely low, while the rear seat folds down flat, creating flexible space.

The large center-mounted tachometer is the focus of the three-gauge cluster and features a programmable shift-indicator, which has a small but intense indicator that lights up when redline is reached.  The FR-S features a performance-oriented, leather-trimmed steering wheel that has both tilt and telescopic adjustment. The FR-S comes standard with an eight-speaker AM/FM/CD/USB 300-watt maximum output Pioneer™ audio system as well as HD Radio™ technology and Bluetooth^® connectivity.

Warranty and Complimentary Scion Service Boost

Like all Scion models, the FR-S is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The FR-S will come standard with Scion Service Boost, a complimentary plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, and two years of 24-hour roadside assistance.

The delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee for all Scion models is $730 and is not included in the MSRP.  DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

For more information on the all-new Scion FR-S, please visit http://scion.com/FR-S

Want to embed this infographic on your website? Copy and paste the following code:
<a href="http://www.scion.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/FRS_scion_graphic_5_600px.png"><img src="http://www.scion.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/FRS_scion_graphic_5_600px.png" alt="The All new Scion FR-S" border="0" /></a><br />Brought to you by the all new <a href="http://www.scion.com/cars/FR-S/">Scion FR-S</a>

The new Scion FR-S is arriving this June, but the lucky members of the Scion First 86 class have started getting their rides up to one month early. Boy do they look stoked! Back in January, 86 lucky FR-S enthusiasts from around the country were given the chance to be among the first to purchase the 2013 Scion FR-S and now they’ve begun to take delivery of their brand new cars.

Scion made sure to be on site to capture the First 86ers’ first moments with their car and we’re posting their photos to the official Scion Facebook page in the album Scion First 86 FR-S Delivery. We will continue to update it as the new keys to the new cars keep getting passed on.

To learn more about the Scion First 86 program and its culmination over a Scion-immersive weekend in Southern California in April, click here.

With a front-mounted flat four-cyliner engine and a 6-speed transmission, the rear-wheel drive Scion FR-S has motorsport running in its veins. Sport is back. You can also watch how the Scion FR-S can handle tight turns…in the most exciting way possible.

For more information, please visit http://scion.com/frs

As you may remember, we offered live behind-the-scene updates of the shoot for this commercial via Twitter and Instagram back in January. Check out our coverage here.

Professional driver. Closed course. Do not attempt.

Prototype vehicle shown with optional equipment. Production model may vary.

©2012 Scion, a marque of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. All rights reserved. Scion, the Scion logo and FR-S are trademarks of Toyota Motor Corporation.

Scion is pleased to announce that starting May 1 through July 31, 2012, buyers of a new 2012 Scion iQ will receive a PlayStation^®Vita (PS Vita), portable entertainment system, while supplies last.  The promotion coincides with the nationwide release of the iQ, Scion’s fourth vehicle and the world’s smallest four-seater.

“Scion is very proud of the iQ’s intelligent and functional design,” said Jack Hollis, Scion Vice President.  “Similar to the PS Vita, the Scion iQ comes loaded with premium technological features, has a focus on functionality, is concentrated into a suitably small package and most importantly is tons of fun.”

Scion is excited to give iQ owners an entertaining way to enjoy the world’s smallest four-seater, even when they are not in the driver’s seat. Originally released March 7th as a limited-time free download to PS Vita owners, MotorStorm RC included the Scion iQ as an in-game vehicle option.

For full details, please visit www.scion.com/psvita

Purchase or lease a NEW 2012 Scion iQ between May 1, 2012 and July 31, 2012.  Promotion Terms and conditions:  Offer expires July 31, 2012 or while supplies last.  Limit one Sony PS Vita per person per vehicle.  Offer is not transferrable and available only to legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia. Offer not valid in Hawaii or Alaska or outside the Contiguous U.S.  To redeem, Buyer will be required to return a valid certificate (which will be mailed tobuyer) that clearly states Buyer’s 2012 iQ Vehicle Identification Number, buyer’s name, email, phone number and address.    TRAC or fleet vehicles are not eligible.  Scion is not responsible for lost, late, damaged, or postage due mail.  Incomplete or illegible certificateswill not be honored.  All submitted certificatesbecome the property of Toyota and will not be returned.  Allow 10-12 weeks for receipt of your Sony PS VITA.  You will be notified by US mail if redemption information can’t be verified.  For any questions regarding this offer please call 866-70-SCION.  Scion is a marque of 2012 Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc.  All rights reserved.  “PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

MotorStorm RC is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. © 2011 Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.  Developed by Evolution Studios LTD.

Cartel Customs, aka Drag Cartel Industries, have a history of impressive Scion customizations, including the Scion iQ “Pit Boss” that was showcased at SEMA 2011.

Here are some images of the brand new Cartel FR-S Speedster:

On our way to the #ScionFirst86 reception! Looking forward to an exciting weekend!

We’ll be hanging poolside with the #ScionFirst86 buyers, who came out from all across the country to test out the #ScionFRS for the first time!

The #ScionFirst86 buyers are having no trouble meeting and greeting. The #ScionFRS makes for a great icebreaker.

The #ScionFirst86 reception is coming to a close. Great start to a big weekend in Long Beach, CA.

#Scion VP Jack Hollis welcomes the #ScionFirst86 to Scion HQ!

The #ScionFirst86 meets the @ScionRacing 2012 Drift team.

@jaroddeanda and @natehamilton44 came by the #ScionFirst86 mixer to say hello!

The competition’s on! The #ScionFirst86 member with the fastest time wins a copy of #GT5!

Now the #ScionFirst86 gets to take the #ScioniQ out for a spin!

The #ScionFirst86 are about to test drive their future rides – the #ScionFRS!

The #ScionFirst86 are about to test drive their future rides – the #ScionFRS!

Some of the #ScionFirst86 checking out the cars at the @Toyota heritage museum.

Here they are! The #ScionFirst86 all together for a group shot!

The #ScionFirst86 are getting a sneak peak at the new #ScionFRS TV commercial!

@Scion VP Jack Hollis talks to the #ScionFirst86 about the #ScionFRS.

The #ScionFirst86 have seen and done a lot today. Can’t wait for @FormulaDrift Long Beach tomorrow!

The #ScionFirst86 filing into the #Scion suite at the first @FormulaDrift event of 2012.

The First 86 winners got to enjoy Ken Gushi drive the GReddy Racing/Scion Racing FR-S in its first official competition ever! For coverage of Formula Drift Round 1 – Streets of Long Beach, visit scion.com/racingblog!

DUDES & DONUTS

COPS & DONUTS

Learn more at www.scion.com/iq.

Scion Announces Pricing for its 2013 FR-S Sports Car

• Rear-Wheel Drive Sports Car starts at $24,200
• Low center of gravity and lightweight design achieves a “Pure Balance”
• World’s first boxer engine to utilize Toyota’s D-4S direct and port injection system
• FR-S comes standard with complimentary Scion Service Boost

TORRANCE, Calif., March 22, 2012 – Scion today announced pricing for its 2013 FR-S compact rear-wheel drive sports car.  The FR-S starts with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $24,200 when equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, and $25,300 when equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission that features paddle shifters and rev-match technology.  The high-performance coupe is the fifth model to join the Scion family and will go on sale this spring.

“Scion’s goal was to create an affordable sports car that true driving enthusiasts could enjoy,” said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president.  “We accomplished that goal with the FR-S starting under $25,000…a total home run!  Add in Scion’s complimentary Scion Service Boost, our no-haggle no-hassle Pure Price, and Scion’s network of about 1,000 dealers, and the FR-S is a grand slam.”

Pure Balance

The FR-S, which stands for Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport; is Scion’s definition of an authentic rear-wheel-drive sports car with exceptionally balanced performance and handling, compelling style, flexible utility and surprising fuel efficiency.

The FR-S is a true “scion,” born into a lengthy history of Toyota performance cars and motorsports.  During planning and development, it was most inspired by the AE86 generation of the Corolla, better known as the Hachi-Roku, meaning “8-6” in Japanese.  The AE86 was a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive coupe that was lightweight and well balanced, making it a solid choice for driving enthusiasts.

Inspired by the AE86, the FR-S is designed around the core goal of achieving “Pure Balance.”  The balance begins with the strategic use of the world’s only flat boxer engine in a front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration.  The engine’s compact size and flat shape allow it to be mounted mid-ship and extremely low, giving the car a dynamically favorable front-to-rear weight ratio of 53:47 and a low center of gravity comparable to some exotic supercars.

The FR-S’s 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine is the result of a joint development between Toyota and Subaru.  The partnership begins by combining Subaru’s newly developed, horizontally opposed engine and Toyota’s cutting edge D-4S injection system

that incorporates both direct and port injection.  The D-4S system, partnered with a high 12.5:1 compression ratio, results in an impressive 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque.

The flat-four mates with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.  The manual offers quick, precise shifts with a short-throw; while the automatic  features aggressive up shifts and sporty rev-matched down shifts that are initiated by steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.  Power is transferred to the pavement via a standard Torsen^® limited-slip differential.

The idea of “Pure Balance” is further realized by the FR-S’s lightweight design and compact size.  The combination allows the car to be quick and nimble into and out of corners, with dynamic maneuverability and confident handling.  The coupe’s weight is kept to a minimum by utilizing a lightweight aluminum hood, a solid roof, and by featuring a trunk design instead of a hatchback.

The FR-S’s low weight is matched with a dynamically tuned suspension setup consisting of MacPherson struts up front and a double wishbone system in the rear.  Lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels and ventilated disc brakes are standard on all four corners.

Powerful Exterior Design

The fierce exterior of the FR-S is a solid reflection of its inner power.  The profile, inspired by the Toyota 2000GT, reveals a hood and roof-line that is remarkably sleek and low, giving it an aerodynamic shape that channels air cleanly over to the top.  The low stance continues to exaggerate the coupe’s menacing face, which is made up of sharp lines, a wide mouth and angular headlights that house the projector-beam halogen lamps.  The aggressive front fenders protrude upward and boast the iconic ‘86’ piston emblem, which highlights the car’s AE86 heritage as well as its unique new boxer engine.  The rear fascia sits low and wide, with aerodynamic lower treatments that surround the sporty dual exhaust system.  LEDs illuminate the edgy taillights, while center-mounted backup lights finish the muscular design.

The FR-S will be available in seven colors including Raven, Asphalt, Hot Lava, Argento, Ultramarine, Firestorm and Whiteout.

Performance-focused Interior

The FR-S’s interior includes a 2+2 seating configuration that is designed with both form and function in mind.  The front seats feature deep bolsters and are mounted extremely low and are comfortable yet assertive, while the rear seat folds down flat, creating flexible space.  The car will come standard with FR-S badged floor mats. The large center-mounted tachometer is the focus of the three-gauge cluster and features a programmable shift-indicator, informing the driver of the engine’s vitals.  Speed is monitored by both digital and analog gauges.  The FR-S features a sporty leather-trimmed steering wheel that has both tilt and telescopic adjustment.

            The FR-S will come standard with an eight-speaker AM/FM/CD/USB 300-watt maximum output Pioneer™ audio system. Standard features also include HD Radio™ technology and Bluetooth^® connectivity that allows both hands-free phone connection as well as streaming audio capability.

Sports Car Performance with Excellent Safety Features

FR-S comes standard with six airbags, including dual-stage advanced driver- and front-passenger airbags, front-seat-mounted airbags and side-curtain airbags.

Like all Scions, FR-S features the Star Safety System that includes Traction Control (TRAC), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Brake Assist (BA), an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and Smart Stop Technology (SST).

The delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee for all Scion models is $730 and is not included in the MSRP.  DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

Warranty and Complimentary Scion Service Boost

Like all Scion models, the FR-S is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile comprehensive warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.  The FR-S will come standard with Scion Service Boost, a complimentary plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, and two years of 24-hour roadside assistance.

Scion FR-S Preliminary Specifications

For more information, please visit www.Scion.com/FRS!

With contributions by 12 different artists, the Scion iQ Interactive Brochure presents the 2012 Scion iQ in a unique, interactive fashion. Featuring Neil Krug, Prince Paul, Franki Chan, Ana Serrano, Sage Vaughn, Jaz, Bryan Sheffield, Municipal Waste, Slick Rick Rivera, Unemployed Lloyd, Blu Jemz and Ryan Staake of Pomp&Clout. Explore at scionavinteractive.com/iq.

Interactive brochures for all our 2012 Scion models will be released in the coming weeks.

The 2012 Scion tC comes with 180 horsepower, 6-speed transmission, a NHTSA five-star overall safety rating and Scion Service Boost Complimentary Maintenance Plan.

It’s is a Consumers Digest Best Buy.

It’s an IIHS 2011 Top Safety Pick.

All this starts at less than $20,000.

Get more info on the 2012 Scion tC.

But by far the most intriguing highlight of this iQ invasion is our gift of 6 months of free parking at over 80 Central Parking locations across New York City, Jersey City, Newark and Hoboken!* With typical monthly rates in downtown Manhattan at $550 per month… this is an excellent value for new iQ customers.

Visit http://scion.com/iq for more info on the iQ and to find your local Scion dealer for more details on this limited-time promotion. Outsmart the city in the all-new 2012 Scion iQ!

Below are the first nine PARK! videos in our series of 11 vignettes, which will be released over the month of March. We will include more videos here as the rest of the series rolls out!

iQ PARK!: PART 4

iQ PARK!: PART 5

iQ PARK!: PART 6

iQ PARK!: PART 7

iQ PARK!: PARK 8

iQ PARK!: PARK 9

Meet the Scion iQ – the World’s Smallest Four-Seater. The Scion iQ is big ideas concentrated – but also, it has some moves. In fact, we say the Scion iQ has “go-kart handling”. Really. To show this off and share it with the world, Scion is holding two exclusive ride and drive events. The first takes place at K1 Speed, Irvine, CA on March 17. The event offers FREE go-kart fun, an opportunity to not only see the iQ inside and out, but even take it for a spin on our Ride and Drive course. You can even score an iQ ride-along on the indoor go-kart track! Visit scioniqgo.eventbrite.com for more information.

Location:  K1 Speed, Irvine, CA
Date: March 17, 2012
Time: 11am to 5pm
Register: scioniqgo.eventbrite.com 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Our second event in being held in association with the Naptown Roller Girls event at the Indianapolis State Fairgrounds on March 24. In addition to offering the excitement in the first event, but first 500 to test drive the Scion iQ also score a free ticket to the Naptown Roller Girls event that same evening! Go to iqgoindy.eventbrite.com for additional details.

Location: Indianapolis State Fairgrounds
Date: March 24, 2012
Time: 2pm to 8pm
Register: iqgoindy.eventbrite.com

It was a stellar showing for the Toyota brand family as a whole, with 3 of the top 5 spots bestowed upon Toyota marques (Lexus, Toyota, Scion). See the official press release in its entirety here, and follow Toyota’s coverage of the study in the Toyota USA Newsroom!

“The laws of physics always favor a larger car in a collision. That’s why it’s critical to choose a small car that gets top crash-test ratings and offers an extensive assortment of safety features.” - Yahoo! Autos

We’d like to thank both Forbes and Yahoo! Autos for featuring the tC. We work hard to offer vehicles that are safe, sporty, fun and financially accessible, and it is an honor to be recognized for our successes.

To learn more about the 2012 tC, visit www.scion.com!

The story was featured on Yahoo! News and Good Morning America following our release of the footage. We’re glad everyone is enjoying this exciting moment as much as we did!

For more behind the scenes coverage of our very first FR-S Commercial Shoot, click here.

Scion Certified Pre-Owned Program Benefits		Scion Certified Authorized Dealer	Private Seller
1.	12-month/12,000-mile Comprehensive Warranty1
2.	7-year/100,000-mile Limited Powertrain Warranty2
3.	1 year of Roadside Assistance3
4.	160-Point Quality Assurance Inspection
5.	Free CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™4
6.	Standard New-Car Financing Rates Available5
7.	Extended Warranty Coverage (items 1, 2 and 3 above) transferable at no cost for added resale value
8.	Reconditioned to Scion’s exacting standards by Scion factory-trained technicians
9.	Warranty honored at Scion dealers in the U.S. and Canada
10.	Trade-ins accepted
11.	Trouble-free handling of your transaction, including DMV paper work
12.	All important information clearly spelled out in your contract

For comprehensive details on our Scion Certified program, including the Program Comparison tool, available models, FAQ, and dealer locations, visit ScionCertified.com!

The new Scion.com will not only be fast and easy-to-use but will be optimized for smartphones and tablets, not missing a step with its functionality and features. Users will be able to find the products and information they need within 2 to 3 clicks. The site will deliver a robust online shopping experience accompanied with a full-bleed image gallery of vehicles and accessories that turn Scion products into art. Scion.com will be ever-present in the social media space with their new “share” functionality that makes sharing Scion content instant. A new section to the site is dedicated to video downloads and additional features like wallpaper and mobile ringtones.

“Scion has a responsibility to bring the best online service to our family of consumers and newcomers alike,” says Owen Peacock, Scion National Marketing & Communications Manager. “Our website needed to be re-evaluated and re-standardized to become something not only on the same class as other fresh and accessible sites, but be one step ahead of them all. With the new website, we believe we’ve made the jump into the upper echelon of website accessibility.”

“With features that are innovative in design and functionality, Scion.com is easy to use while delivering the content and imagery that users expect from a brand like Scion.  As users efficiently navigate through Scion.com, they will now be able to find all things from Scion products and vehicle information to Scion lifestyle, music and art. The All New Scion.com creates a new standard for automotive websites and will maintain an online presence that will be second to none,” says Christina Duron-Yu, Scion Interactive Marketing Manager. 

The new site search functionality located in the upper right-hand corner will always be present, making the site easy to navigate and user-friendly.  Not only will the site launch entice newcomers to the world of Scion but bring regular visitors an inventive, new perspective on all of the Scion universe.  To check out the new site, visit www.Scion.com.

With only $869 due at signing, our 2012 leases start at $219/mo for 36 mos.! See our available Pure Lease models below.

2012 tC

• 2.5L 180HP ENGINE
• 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
• 18-INCH ALLOY WHEELS
• PURE LEASE ^1 2
• $239/MO 36 MOS
• $889 DUE AT LEASE SIGNING
• EXCLUDES OFFICIAL FEES, TAXES AND DEALER CHARGES. NO SECURITY DEPOSIT REQUIRED.

[1] MSRP based on manual transmission & includes delivery, processing, and handling fee. Excludes taxes, title, license and other optional equipment. Dealer price may vary.

[2] Available on approved credit to well qualified customers through Toyota Financial Services and participating Scion dealers on new 2012 xB, xD and tC with automatic transmission. Not all customers will qualify. Offer based on MSRP of $17,980 for xB; $16,875 for xD; and $20,305 for tC, including delivery, processing & handling and 12,000 miles/year limit. Monthly payment may vary depending on final price of vehicle & your qualifications. At vehicle turn in a disposition fee may be charged. See dealer for lease program details. Offer not available in HI. Lease contract must be signed between January 4, 2012 — April 2, 2012.

2012 xB

• 2.4L 158HP ENGINE
• 5-PASSENGER SEATING
• PIONEER™ AUDIO SYSTEM
• PURE LEASE ^1 2
• $229/MO 36 MOS
• $879 DUE AT LEASE SIGNING
• EXCLUDES OFFICIAL FEES, TAXES AND DEALER CHARGES. NO SECURITY DEPOSIT REQUIRED.

[1] MSRP based on manual transmission & includes delivery, processing, and handling fee. Excludes taxes, title, license and other optional equipment. Dealer price may vary.

[2] Available on approved credit to well qualified customers through Toyota Financial Services and participating Scion dealers on new 2012 xB, xD and tC with automatic transmission. Not all customers will qualify. Offer based on MSRP of $17,980 for xB; $16,875 for xD; and $20,305 for tC, including delivery, processing & handling and 12,000 miles/year limit. Monthly payment may vary depending on final price of vehicle & your qualifications. At vehicle turn in a disposition fee may be charged. See dealer for lease program details. Offer not available in HI. Lease contract must be signed between January 4, 2012 — April 2, 2012.

2012 xD

• 33 MPG HWY**
• 128 HP ENGINE
• STANDARD BLUETOOTH^® ¹ AND HD RADIO™ TECHNOLOGY ²
• PURE LEASE ^3 4
• $219/MO 36 MOS
• $869 DUE AT LEASE SIGNING
• EXCLUDES OFFICIAL FEES, TAXES AND DEALER CHARGES. NO SECURITY DEPOSIT REQUIRED.

[1] Performance of Bluetooth^® compatible phones will vary based on phone software version, coverage, and your wireless carrier.

[2] HD Radio™ Technology manufactured under license from iBiquity Digital Corporation U.S. and Foreign Patents. HD Radio™ and the HD, HD Radio™, and “Arc” logos are proprietary trademarks of iBiquity Digital Corp.

[3] MSRP based on manual transmission & includes delivery, processing, and handling fee. Excludes taxes, title, license and other optional equipment. Dealer price may vary.

[4] Available on approved credit to well qualified customers through Toyota Financial Services and participating Scion dealers on new 2012 xB, xD and tC with automatic transmission. Not all customers will qualify. Offer based on MSRP of $17,980 for xB; $16,875 for xD; and $20,305 for tC, including delivery, processing & handling and 12,000 miles/year limit. Monthly payment may vary depending on final price of vehicle & your qualifications. At vehicle turn in a disposition fee may be charged. See dealer for lease program details. Offer not available in HI. Lease contract must be signed between January 4, 2012 – April 2, 2012

For more information, visit www.scion.com/promotions/purelease

On Tuesday, January 24, Scion brought you live updates from the set of our latest television ad featuring the all-new 2013 Scion FR-S. This exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage was a rare glimpse into all the work (and play) that goes into producing less than one minute of beautiful driving footage. We are proud of the fact that the Scion community stands out as one of the most cohesive, collaborative families in the automotive world. In order to be true to our end of the relationship, we provide you, the Scion owners and fans, with the most inclusive experience we can offer. We hope you enjoyed following our live photo updates on Twitter for this very exciting day as we spent time with old friends and our newest family member: the 2013 FR-S!

Director Simon Needham of ATTIK creative agency led the shoot. ATTIK has a close relationship with Scion, producing ads like the ‘Zeus’ Release Series campaign in the past. His skill and professionalism made for a timely and productive shoot.

Jarod DeAnda, blogger extraordinaire and the Voice of Formula Drift, was on hand to keep things lively and snap some behind-the-scenes photos of his own. His personal collection can be found here:

http://lockerz.com/gallery/1006579

Speaking of Formula Drift, when it came down to deciding who would be behind the wheel of the FR-S for our shoot, there was really no debate. Scion Racing drifter Ken Gushi confidently displayed his driving prowess throughout the day, making sure we all knew his skills are not limited to a race track.

Scion VP Jack Hollis spent some time with us to support the production team and observe the FR-S in action. He and Ken discussed the dynamics of Scion’s RWD sports car, learning more and more about the machine as time goes on.

National Marketing and Communications Manager Owen Peacock kept a close eye on the production, collaborating with Simon on shots and maximizing the day’s efforts toward Scion’s goals for the car.

For you non-film experts out there, you’d be amazed at the amount of equipment that is used to capture HD shots of a vehicle in motion. A GoPro camera was used to capture the footage, and an even more intense setup was used to get the camera into position.

Specifically, when the camera wasn’t on a tripod, we used a Russian Arm rig…

…and a remote-controlled camera apparatus mounted to the front of a helicopter!

We had a great day all around. All of the attendees were enthusiastic, the film crew was skilled and professional, and our director, managers and drivers all provided consistent leadership and performance. We at Scion hope those of you who followed along with us enjoyed it as well! The footage captured will be used to produce 3 unique commercials for the 2013 Scion FR-S, and will all air nationally this spring when the car goes on sale.

Visit http://www.scion.com/cars/FR-S/ for more details and the latest updates!

“Scion reported December 2011 sales of 4,159 units, an increase of 5.1 percent, and annual sales of 49,271 units, up 7.5 percent over 2010. The Scion tC sports coupe recorded monthly sales of 1,587, and annual sales of 22,433 units, an increase of 47.5 percent. The xB urban utility vehicle recorded monthly sales of 1,444, and annual sales of 17,017 units. The xD posted sales of 880 units, up 6.8 percent over the year ago month, and 9,573 units for 2011.”

See the full article at ScionNewsRoom.com.

Scion Press Conference

January 9, 2012

Cobo Hall, North American International Auto Show

Jack Hollis, Vice President of Scion

Thank you so much for joining us today. It is great to be back here with you in Detroit…truly one of my favorite auto shows. I love this show because so many great cars are revealed here.

You’ve got to give it up to the Lexus LF-LC Concept car…that sure looks like it has the potential to bring some excitement back to the industry…and after all, isn’t that we all want? Call me biased, but I think that you’re going to find the most excitement right here at the Scion booth.

I’m not sure if you’re aware, but we’ve been incredibly busy at Scion recently…the good kind of busy. Just last month, the 2012 Scion iQ went on sale on the west coast, marking the beginning of its wave launch…expanding the Scion brand from three models to four.

The iQ ushers in a “New Urbanism” for a progressive buyer whose transportation desires are different. It’s a new…premium…micro-subcompact …for new urbanites who want inventive transportation without sacrifice. And while it is small…it has a HUGE, fun-to-drive spirit. It also manages to get the BEST combined MPG of any non-hybrid…it even does it using 87-octane fuel.

One of Scion’s main goals as a laboratory for Toyota, is to attract new buyers to the Toyota family. I’m pleased to report that 72% of the iQ buyers are brand new to the Toyota family, have never owned a Toyota, Lexus or a Scion before…which is slightly higher than the rest of the Scion lineup.

The iQ will continue its wave launch later this month, showing up in dealerships throughout the South and the Southeast. The iQ will complete its launch when it reaches the East Coast and Midwest dealerships in March.
As excited as we are to launch the iQ, it can’t compare to how excited the sports car enthusiasts are about our next car…our fifth car…the 2013 Scion FR-S.

On November 30th, Scion invited a group of over 500 Scion owners, automotive media, Scion dealers and driving enthusiasts, to be a part of the global reveal of the FR-S. At this event, we had an amazing display of Toyota performance cars…the Toyota 2000GT, the Sports 800, Supra Turbo, MR2, Corolla GT-S and of course the Lexus LFA. You might be asking why did Scion do that? We did it because we felt that before we could talk about what the FR-S is all about…it’s essential to know where the FR-S comes FROM.

These cars play a significant role in Toyota’s lengthy history of performance and racing heritage…each containing Toyota’s high octane DNA that can only be obtained through years of engineering…innovation…experience…and of course…racing.

You may also be wondering… Why is this car a Scion? That’s also an easy one. The FR-S… with its style, performance, authenticity, originality… fits perfectly with what Scion is all about! Passion for your car!

The definition of the word Scion…as you may already know…means to be a descendant of…or an heir to. Well…the FR-S is an excellent example of that definition. The heritage and DNA of these performance cars trickles down into every ounce of the FR-S…just one of the benefits of being from such a great family.

The FR-S gets its core inspiration from three Toyota models…the 2000GT for its exterior styling, making it extremely low to the ground with a long, sleek hood…the Sports 800 because it was the first car to have a front-mounted boxer engine in a rear-wheel drive configuration…and most importantly, the Corolla GT-S, known by its true fans as the AE86 or “hachi-roku,” which means 8-6 in Japanese. The AE86 was a moderately priced car that didn’t rely on brute horsepower, but instead a remarkable combination of a lightweight design, responsive power and a perfect balance.

It inspired the FR-S so much in fact, that each car wears unique badging on its front fenders, depicting its “86” heritage along with the evolution of its new boxer engine. From its looks to its performance, it’s easy to see that the FR-S is a descendent from Toyota’s motorsports and performance heritage.

The FR-S features the world’s only flat boxer engine in a front-engine… rear-wheel drive configuration…like the Sports 800. Its 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine is the result of a joint development between Toyota and Subaru… combining Subaru’s newly developed horizontally opposed engine, and Toyota’s D-4S direct and port injection system, results in an impressive 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque.

We’re talking about a 100 horsepower per liter! The great performance will not sacrifice efficiency as we expect the FR-S to achieve the best MPG of any rear-wheel drive sports car?

The flat architecture of the engine allows it to be mounted low and pushed back far enough to classify it as a front mid-ship with a center of gravity lower than many sports cars today, even lower than the Porsche Cayman.

The flat-four mates with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The manual offers quick and precise shifts with a short-throw… while the automatic transmission features aggressive up shifts…and sporty rev-matched down shifts…both initiated by steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The power is put to the pavement via a standard Torsen limited-slip differential.

One of the FR-S’s best weapons is that it only weighs just over 2,700 pounds. Talk about light! We decided to go with a solid roof instead of a sunroof…we chose a rigid trunk instead of a hatchback…made appropriately sized lightweight 17-inch wheels standard…we even made the hood out of aluminum! As you can see, our engineers are all about keeping the “weight down” and the “structural rigidity up.”

And every single angle of this car screams performance…The front bumper is low and aggressive… with fierce…edgy headlights…while the rear features a trapezoidal shape with unique tail lamps and center-positioned back-up lights.
The roof has a gull-wing shape… channeling air-flow smoothly over the car. The FR-S will come in seven colors that complement its amazing style lines, like this striking silver that we call, Argento.

The interior shares the same DNA… designed with both form and function in mind. The seats are mounted extremely low and are comfortable yet assertive. The large center-mounted tachometer is all business, keeping the driver informed of the engine’s vitals.

For many, the FR-S is the definition of the perfect daily driver AND weekend warrior. Its 2+2 seating configuration with a fold-flat cargo area is large enough to transport a full set of race tires for a fun day at the track. The FR-S is a legit sports car…and the drivers in the sports car world have responded.

The days following the global reveal, the buzz on the Internet was huge, with more than 100 million social media impressions in just 48 hours.
It just proves that the true driving enthusiasts are READY for a car that is awesome to drive, a car that is light and nimble, a car that is sleek and sporty, a car that is exciting AND affordable, a car just like this FR-S!

So drivers online are liking what they are seeing…the car makes sense on paper, but how does it all come together when the tires hit the pavement? Is the hype legit? We knew it was, but critics were still skeptical.

Recently, we invited a small group of automotive journalists to get an early taste of the FR-S on the racetrack. So after an entire day of track time, did the FR-S live up to its hype? Well, according to Autoguide.com…”ABSOLUTELY…The Scion FR-S is a return to the roots of what makes a sports car a sports car.” Motor Trend said, “Scion doesn’t just have a special car on its hands — it’s got a potential smash hit that can be enjoyed by many. It is a car that will likely redefine the Scion brand and the entry-level enthusiast car segment as a whole.”

It’s my pleasure to introduce the gentleman who has given this fantastic sports car to us… Please welcome the chief engineer for the FR-S…
Mr. Tetsuya Tada.

Thank you Tada-san for creating the newest addition to the Scion family. It’s truly a great sports car that is exciting the Scion enthusiasts as much as it is us.
The FR-S is EXACTLY what the industry has been missing, and EXACTLY what the driving enthusiasts have been asking for. So now that we know the FR-S is the real deal…what is next?

I know the suspense has to be killing you…what the heck is under this cloth? Well as you might know, Scion has been involved in racing from its beginning …from drag racing to road racing and even rally. But I honestly have to say that we probably have the most fun drifting sideways with smoke pouring off of our tires.

We’ve already started having a blast with the FR-S…take a look at this clip!
Some of you might have seen spy shots of that test car last week when Scion Racing’s own Ken Gushi was practicing at Laguna Seca. It’s come a long way since then.

Today we are extremely proud to introduce you to the latest member of the Scion family…the Scion Racing/GReddy Performance FR-S built to compete in the 2012 Formula Drift season!

This car looks absolutely phenomenal! It looks fast even when it’s parked?
This car has a few more horsepower than stock…a total of 600 to be exact…and over 500 pound-feet of torque.

Now we don’t expect that too many owners will take their FR-S to this level of extreme, but we do know that like all Scion vehicles, it will be pretty hard to find one that is left stock.

We’re not done yet. As you may know…Scion buyers are the youngest in the entire automotive industry…and these young buyers demand the latest in in-car technology.

Last year we made Bluetooth and HD Radio STANDARD in all of the Scion models…but with the insane speed of technology, techies are already hungry for more features…a desire to be CONNECTED.

I am happy to announce that the 2013 FR-S will not only be raising the bar in driving performance, but it will also take in-car technology to new heights…as it will be the first car to offer Scion’s next generation connected infotainment audio system called BeSpoke, powered by Pioneer’s Zypr technology.

The new BeSpoke system has some cool features that Scion owners are going to love:

How about being able to locate a friend on the map on your audio screen…send them a tweet to meet up for coffee via voice command, and then have a routing feature guide you to the café. Sounds pretty cool right?

How about checking out your friend’s Facebook wall posts or recent tweets? How about having access to hundreds of internet radio stations? There are so many advanced functions in this new system…we can’t wait for you to try it out soon!

There’s more…To get FR-S’s into garages of eager enthusiasts as early as possible, we have come up with an idea that should get the already 30,000 hand-raisers even more pumped up. Scion will launch a special program called, “First 86”.
In the spirit of the AE86, Scion will give 86 lucky people the chance to be among the first to own the Scion FR-S. The selected 86 owners will take delivery of their car earlier than the rest, making sure that the die-hard driving enthusiasts get it FIRST!

In just a few days on January 12, starting at noon eastern time, anyone who wants the opportunity to own the FR-S before it goes on-sale to the general public has 8 hours and 6 minutes to submit their request at www.ScionFirst86.com. Make sure to submit your request on January 12!
In addition to an early delivery, the First 86 will also get some really cool
FR-S related gifts.

Like I said earlier, there are some great cars out here today, but I have yet to find a car that is generating as much buzz as this one. Add in our news about Scion’s next generation BeSpoke audio system, our First 86 early buyer promotion…and this ridiculous 600hp drift car and you can see that Scion’s Future is Really Strong.

We’re going to have some more Scion news to share with you about the FR-S at the New York Auto Show so I look forward to seeing all of you in April. Until then, you can keep up to speed on all things Scion at the brand-new Scion.com website that just launched three days ago…a site that might just be the most advanced in the industry.

I want to invite you all up here to take some photos of the FR-S. I’ll be around to answer any questions that you may have.

Thanks again for hanging out with us today.

You can see the official press release at ScionNewsRoom.com. The Scion News Room is our direct outlet for all major press releases, product launches and other announcements. Check back often to get the most up-to-date press information, direct from Scion! You can also follow Scion on Twitter, Facebook, and be sure to visit the all-new www.scion.com!

1. Scion First 86 Program

To get FR-S’s into garages of eager enthusiasts as early as possible, we have come up with an idea that should get the already 20,000 hand-raisers even more pumped up. Scion will launch a special program called “First 86”.
In the spirit of the AE86, Scion will give 86 lucky people the chance to be among the first to own the Scion FR-S. The selected 86 owners will take delivery of their car earlier than the rest, making sure that the die-hard driving enthusiasts get it first! In just a few days on January 12, starting at 12:00pm eastern time, anyone who wants the opportunity to own the FR-S before it goes on-sale to the general public has 8 hours and 6 minutes to submit their request at ScionFirst86.com. Make sure to submit your request on January 12! In addition to an early delivery, the First 86 will also get some really cool FR-S related gifts.

2. Pioneer Car Audio’s ‘BeSpoke’ Infotainment System Powered by Zypr

Scion buyers are the youngest in the entire automotive industry…and these young buyers demand the latest in in-car technology. Last year we made Bluetooth and HD Radio STANDARD in all of the Scion models…but with the insane speed of technology, techies are already hungry for more features…a desire to be connected.

We are happy to announce that the 2013 FR-S will not only be raising the bar in driving performance, but it will also take in-car technology to new heigh, as it will be the first car to feature Scion’s next generation connected infotainment audio system called BeSpoke, powered by Pioneer’s Zypr. The new BeSpoke system has some cool features that Scion owners are going to love:

1. The ability to locate a friend on the map on your audio screen…send them a tweet to meet up for coffee via voice command, and then have a routing feature guide you to the café.
2. Check your friend’s Facebook wall posts or recent tweets.
3. Have access to hundreds of internet radio stations

3. FR-S drift car, GReddy Racing Partnership

Scion has been involved in racing from its beginning …from drag racing to road racing and even rally. But we probably have the most fun in the sport of drifting.

Some of you might have seen spy shots of that test car last week when Scion Racing’s own Ken Gushi was practicing at Laguna Seca. It’s come a long way since then.

Today we are extremely proud to introduce you to the latest member of the Scion family…the Scion Racing/GReddy Performance FR-S built to compete in the 2012 Formula Drift season!
This car has a few more horsepower than stock…a total of 600 to be exact…and over 500 pound-feet of torque.
Now we don’t expect that too many owners will take their FR-S to this level of extreme, but we do know that like all Scion vehicles, it will be pretty hard to find one that is left stock.

You can see the full press release at ScionNewsRoom.com. The Scion News Room is our direct outlet for all major press releases, product launches and other announcements. Check back often to get the most up-to-date press information, direct from Scion! You can also follow Scion on Twitter, Facebook, and be sure to visit the all-new www.scion.com!

FAQ

1)  What is the ScionFirst86 Program?

1. It is a chance for FR-S enthusiasts to be among the first 86 people to purchase the Scion FR-S.

2) How can I be one of the first to own an FR-S?

1. On Thursday January 12, 2012 at 9am PST, Scion will launch a purchase request website (www.ScionFirst86.com).
2. Submit an entry with your desired color and transmission selection for your FR-S.
3. The opportunity to enter will be available for 8 hours and 6 minutes.
4. Scion will contact you within 24 hours of your request and let you know if you have been selected for the opportunity to purchase or lease one of the first 86 FR-Ss in the United States.

3) If I am one of the 86, what are my next steps?

1. Scion will contact you within 24 hours of your request and let you know if you have been selected as one of the 86.
2. You will receive a date stamped email with a confirmation number, confirmation of your color and transmission request, and confirmation of your selected dealer.
3. Within 96 hours of the confirmation email, take your email with the confirmation number to your selected dealer. Sign the required vehicle request and deposit agreement with the dealer and place your $500 deposit.
4. Once your deposit is received and you have signed the agreement, you have officially reserved your FR-S.
5. Watch your email inbox for status updates on the delivery of your FR-S.
6. Your FR-S is scheduled to arrive prior to the general public on-sale date.  Once your FR-S arrives, your dealer will contact you and you will follow the normal process to purchase the vehicle from your selected dealer.
7. We encourage you to arrange financing before the arrival of your FR-S, or you may do so with the dealer you selected.

4) What if I did not make it onto the First 86 participant list?

1. Great news – You still have a chance! You will be placed on our waitlist and we will alert you if your status changes and there is an opportunity for you to move up from the waitlist to become one of the First 86 participants.
2. If your status on the waitlist does not change, Scion will have a dealer contact you in regards to your purchase request as it gets closure to the FR-S on-sale date.

5) I was one of the 86 to receive a confirmation number and put down my deposit.  When can I expect to take delivery of my FR-S?

1. Scion will provide periodic emails of your estimated vehicle delivery status as we get closer to the FR-S on-sale date. The vehicle is scheduled to be delivered prior to the general public on-sale date.

6) When will the FR-S go on-sale to the general public?

1. The FR-S is currently scheduled to go on sale to the general public in the spring of 2012.

7) Is there a way to get my $500 deposit refunded and cancel my order?

1. Yes, you can get a refund and cancel your order any time prior to purchasing the vehicle. Please work with your dealer if you wish to remove your name from the First 86 participant list and receive a refund of your deposit. At that point, you will forfeit your requested vehicle and participation in the Scion First 86 program.

8)  What if I can’t pick up the car on the date assigned to me?  Will the FR-S be sold to someone else?

a) No. Once you have placed a deposit down with a dealer, your vehicle is reserved. It is between you and the dealer to arrange the specific date and time you will purchase and take delivery of the vehicle.

9) What if I do not want to purchase my vehicle from the dealer I selected?

1. Please note that the dealer you selected in your original request for the FR-S is the dealer you must purchase the vehicle from.

10) What if I go to take delivery of the FR-S and it is not the correct vehicle?

1. Once you place your purchase request, your confirmation email will show the color and transmission of the vehicle you selected. When you are working with the dealer to arrange for delivery of the vehicle, you and your Selected Dealer should confirm the correct vehicle.

11)   Am I able to see or drive the car before I take delivery?

a) We are bringing the highly anticipated FR-S to the market early for a select group of 86 people. If you are one of the 86, you will be among the first to see and drive the actual vehicle when it arrives at your Selected Dealership.   Similar to a traditional vehicle purchase, you will be able to see and drive the car before finalizing the transaction for the vehicle and can cancel anytime.

12)  Can I request more than one car?

a) We are allowing only one FR-S per person for the 86 vehicles.

13)  Can I place a submission for someone else?

a) You may only submit a request for yourself.

14) I am one of the 86 but would like to give the vehicle to someone else.  Can I do this?

a) The vehicle must be purchased and registered in the name of the individual who placed the purchase request.  The order cannot be sold, transferred or assigned.

15)  What options will be included with my purchase?  Do I get to choose?

a) Initially you will be able to select your color and transmission.  Please work with your dealer to personalize your FR-S as accessories become available closer to the FR-S on-sale date.

16)        When will final pricing be available?

1. Final MSRP is scheduled to be announced Spring 2012.

17)        When will more detailed specifications be available for the FR-S?

1. Detailed specification information will be available closer to the FR-S’ on-sale date.

18)   What are the transmission options?

1.  The FR-S will have two transmissions available: a 6-speed manual transmission and a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

19)   Who can I contact if I have any questions or concerns?

a) Please contact Scion Customer Experience at 1-866-70-SCION for questions about the program or your selected dealer for specific questions or concerns about your requested vehicle.

Click the link below for Scion First 86 Terms and Conditions:

First 86 Terms and Conditions

• Access your account
• Check balances
• Schedule or cancel payments

Now that’s convenience on the go!

Getting started is easy. Simply download the app from the App Store and login if you already have an online account.

If you don’t have an online account, you can register directly through the app by filling in the required information or by scanning the Quick Response (QR) code included in your next billing statement.

Last night, Scion revealed the highly anticipated FR-S compact sports car before hundreds of spirited auto enthusiasts at Milk Studios in Los Angeles. Easily the most anticipated Scion model to date, the FR-S (Front-engine,Rear-wheel drive Sports car) was met with energetic cheers and widespread chatter across the web and social networks. Scion VP Jack Hollis was on hand to deliver the keynote.

The FR-S was proudly displayed among Toyota’s landmark sports cars, including the Supra Turbo, 2000GT, Sports 800, MR2, Corolla GT-S and Lexus LFA. Hollis explained to the audience why these vehicles were present:

“You might be thinking…  If we’re here to talk about the Scion FR-S…then what the heck are all of these Toyota and Lexus cars doing here?

Well, that’s simple…before we can talk about what the FR-S is all about…it’s essential to know where the FR-S comes FROM.  A true performance car like this isn’t simply developed overnight…Every single one of these cars contains Toyota’s high octane DNA…a DNA that can only be obtained through years of engineering…innovation…experience…and of course…racing.

You may also be wondering why this car is a Scion?  The definition of the word Scion means to be a descendant of… or an heir to. The heritage and DNA of these performance cars you see here tonight trickles down into every ounce of the FR-S…just one of the benefits of being from such a great family. “

The powerplant beneath the FR-S’s long, shapely hood is as unique as the car itself. The FR-S’s 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine is the result of a joint development between Toyota and Subaru. The partnership begins by combining Subaru’s newly developed horizontally opposed engine and Toyota’s cutting edge D-4S injection system that incorporates both direct and port injection.  The D-4S system, partnered with a high 12.5:1 compression ratio, results in an impressive 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque.  The engine mates to either a six-speed  automatic transmission with paddle shifters, or a six-speed manual transmission.

Aside from the official unveiling, the event was full of fun attractions to entertain the attendees, including the first customized FR-S designed by GReddy, FR-S R/C cars from HPI Racing, Gran Turismo 5 video game racing consoles featuring the FR-S, and chest-thumping music mixed by DJ Dirty Dave.

The FR-S is slated to be available for purchase next spring.

Visit www.frs-scion.com for more details and the latest updates!