Scion tC: impressive combination of handling, style
Rob Whittier, MBA 2
Issue date: 12/5/05 Section: Automotive
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When Toyota made the decision to launch Scion, it's youth focused brand, they made a radical departure in marketing strategy and centered on building word-of-mouth buzz among urban Gen Y trend leaders.
The division promoted its first two cars, the xA and the xB, at break-dance tours and graffiti-artist exhibitions. While getting behind the wheel of the most recent Scion tC probably won't make you change your name to DJ Chalicar and drive to Detroit to drink Red Bull and battle glowsticks with someone in body paints, Scion's marketers would undoubtedly be pleased if it did. To fit the role, I was prepared with an ipod full of Tiesto and prerequisite massive wraparound glasses, but when I actually got behind the wheel of this coupe, I found a tight little package that would appeal to anyone, from an L.A. street racer to a Chi Omega senior (equip with New Jersey plates).
As expected from any of Toyota's recent creations, the tC features an impressive list of standard equipment: the coupe comes standard with an oversize power moonroof, reclining rear seats, and a driver's-side knee air bag. The hardware isn't shabby, either, with a 160-horsepower, 2.4-liter four bolted onto a chassis equipped with four-wheel disc brakes (with ABS), an independent rear suspension, and seventeen-inch wheels shod with Z-rated Bridgestone Potenzas. The double-control-arm, independent rear suspension contributes to entertaining handling that allows some lift-throttle oversteer at the limit. The only thing that deadened my joyride was the optional four-speed automatic that my car came equipped with; although it's late shift points did allow for some pretty solid launches when pushed.
With a base price of $16,465 and its only options being the previously mentioned automatic and side-curtain air bags, the tC makes us wonder if this thing has the margin of a 1H Hybrid in StratSim, but Toyota says it's making an "industry standard" profit on every tC, also noting that Scion buyers also spend an average of $1,000 on dealer accessories. But those who can forgo such essentials as lighted cup holders and a carbon-fiber engine cover ($250 and $229, respectively) get a nice deal.
The division promoted its first two cars, the xA and the xB, at break-dance tours and graffiti-artist exhibitions. While getting behind the wheel of the most recent Scion tC probably won't make you change your name to DJ Chalicar and drive to Detroit to drink Red Bull and battle glowsticks with someone in body paints, Scion's marketers would undoubtedly be pleased if it did. To fit the role, I was prepared with an ipod full of Tiesto and prerequisite massive wraparound glasses, but when I actually got behind the wheel of this coupe, I found a tight little package that would appeal to anyone, from an L.A. street racer to a Chi Omega senior (equip with New Jersey plates).
As expected from any of Toyota's recent creations, the tC features an impressive list of standard equipment: the coupe comes standard with an oversize power moonroof, reclining rear seats, and a driver's-side knee air bag. The hardware isn't shabby, either, with a 160-horsepower, 2.4-liter four bolted onto a chassis equipped with four-wheel disc brakes (with ABS), an independent rear suspension, and seventeen-inch wheels shod with Z-rated Bridgestone Potenzas. The double-control-arm, independent rear suspension contributes to entertaining handling that allows some lift-throttle oversteer at the limit. The only thing that deadened my joyride was the optional four-speed automatic that my car came equipped with; although it's late shift points did allow for some pretty solid launches when pushed.
With a base price of $16,465 and its only options being the previously mentioned automatic and side-curtain air bags, the tC makes us wonder if this thing has the margin of a 1H Hybrid in StratSim, but Toyota says it's making an "industry standard" profit on every tC, also noting that Scion buyers also spend an average of $1,000 on dealer accessories. But those who can forgo such essentials as lighted cup holders and a carbon-fiber engine cover ($250 and $229, respectively) get a nice deal.
