Scion has selected iBiquity Digital to provide HD Radio technology in some of its audio systems. Scion hasn't said how it plans to integrate iBiquity into Scions, or which cars will get the systems first, but the partnership marks another incursion of HD Radio into the mass market -- BMW, Ford and Jaguar already offer it, with Volvo opening the HD spigot next year. HD Radio offers stations the ability to transmit multiple programs over a single FM frequency with crystal clear reception -- and there are more than 1,600 stations across the nation, available to 83-percent of the country. In the future, HD plans to introduce features that will match or better those offered by satellite radio. But unlike satellite radio, HD is free.

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Scion announced pricing for the 2009 xB and tC today, and if you want to get your hands on the love-it-or-hate-it toaster on wheels, you'll have to pony up an extra $100 this year. The xB's base price is now $16,370 (including shipping), and comes equipped with a five-speed manual as standard equipment. If you can't stand swapping your own cogs, you can shell out another $950 for a four-speed automatic. The tC's price remains the same as the 2008 model, starting at $17,620 with a five-speed manual and $18,420 for the four-speed auto 'box. Sales of the xB begin this month and the "slightly tweaked" tC will arrive in May.

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Scion’s 145.7-inch long Hako Coupe Concept being shown at the New York International Auto Show is something to behold. That is, if you are young, feisty and a trendsetter. Inspired by the xB, Hako draws from Japanese and American youth influences to create what Scion says is “a global perspective on today's youth”.

Look at the vertical windscreen that extends slightly into the roof, the trapezoidal LED headlights and 18-inch five-spoke wheels. The Hako’s lines are bold, they mingle with other lines one wouldn’t necessarily put inside the same box. They challenge the eye while giving mystery to their destination. How hot is that wrap-around glass that integrates frameless door windows and rear window.
magazines.

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Toyota has become used to being successful in almost everything it does, so it must have come as a shock when the carmaker’s youth brand, Scion, suffered from falling sales for 16 straight months. Even though dealers have had two updated models to sell during the period, monthly sales have fallen each month, and the brand’s recent struggle comes as a surprise considering the great success of the first-generation of Scion cars.

The falling popularity has been attributed to a weak car market and Scion’s marketing strategy which requires ‘momentum’ to be successful. Toyota has also acknowledged that the model changeover was a factor in slowing down the momentum behind Scion due to the lengthy time period they took to get the xB and xD into showrooms. “We underestimated the loss of momentum from the dark period for those two vehicles,” said Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales USA, during a recent interview with AutoWeek. “The way Scion is marketed, it takes longer to get traction.” Ever since the changeover of two of the three Scion models, the xB and the xD, sales fell almost 25% in 2007.

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Scion will be displaying another special edition model at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, this time a specially-prepped tC coupe. Much like the specially-prepped xB at the recent Detroit show, the car is essentially an appearance package for the tC called the 2008 Scion tC Release Series 4.0. The vehicle is set to hit showrooms in March, shortly after its Windy City debut.

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Scion will be keeping with the tradition it established last year in the Big Apple by bringing another concept to the New York Auto Show this March. The NY unveiling is another attempt by Scion to define itself as the quintessential automaker for hip urbanites, despite the xB practically being the official vehicle of the AARP...

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TRhe xB Release Series 5.0 is Scion’s first limited edition model for 2008 and it will be available in only 2,500 units beginning in February. Apart from the Gold Rush Mica exterior paint inspired by last year's Chicago Auto Show xB display vehicle, the 2008 xB Release Series 5.0 features a KenStyle body kit, new Release Series wheel covers and a moonroof...

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About one second after the initial images of the xB flashed through the blogosphere, naysayers marshaled into two groups. One was miffed at the very idea of a follow-up xB, recalling that the whole Scion premise was to never repeat itself...

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Meet the new box, not the same as the old box.

The redesigned Scion xB has moved to a larger platform, with a larger engine and larger sticker price. But it is still a box and is still polarizing...

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When designing the 2008 Scion xD, the replacement for its outgoing xA, Toyota's youth-insipired division didn't grow it up quite as big as the new xB, but as with most new or updated models, the xD is larger and stouter than the model it replaces in most areas.

There's a bigger engine -- a 128 horsepower, 125 lb-ft of torque, 1.8-liter four instead of the xA's 103 horsepower, 101 lb-ft of torque, 1.5-liter mill. Most important, there's a bigger price tag -- $14,550 for manual transmission models and, at $15,350 for cars equipped with an automatic, an increase of about $1800 over the base price of an xA, plus a $620 destination fee. Read the rest of this entry »

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Since its launch back in 2003, Scion has insisted that three models were enough. But as the label becomes more popular, company execs are considering adding new models to satisfy that demand. Scion corporate manager Steve Haag, who spoke with The Car Connection, explained that management wants to expand the brand by adding new models [...]

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Scion is to launch 2-new vehicles in spring 2008 to replace the current generation xA and xB. The xA and xB was launched in California in June '03 and completed their nationwide rollout in June '04. Since their launch 72,011 xA's and 139,091 xB's have been sold nationwide through July '06. Production of the 2006 xA and xB concluded in December '06. Check back soon to see what Scion will be bringing to the 2007 Chicago Auto Show.

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Scion is to launch 2-new vehicles in spring 2008 to replace the current generation xA and xB. The xA and xB was launched in California in June '03 and completed their nationwide rollout in June '04. Since their launch 72,011 xA's and 139,091 xB's have been sold nationwide through July '06. Production of the 2006 xA and xB concluded in December '06. Check back soon to see what Scion will be bringing to the 2007 Chicago Auto Show.

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For 2008, the Scion tC stylish hatchback expands its model lineup with the addition of the Spec Package, a stripped-down, less embellish level. Features on the Spec trim included a fixed glass roof in place of the power sunroof, and 16-incb wheels and tires. The standard tC model will continue with 17-inch six-spoke alloy wheels fitted with Z-rated all-season tires. Other changes made on the tC Spec Package include a fixed glass panorama roof, unique upholstery, and a urethane steering wheel. This low-volume model will be distinguished by special treatment to the grille and headlight garnish and offered in just 4-colors. Aside from the new Spec Package, the tC carries over for 2007 with a sun visor with a sliding extension, updated seat fabric and direct tire pressure monitoring system. The Scion tC serves up fun-to-drive power right from the factory, thanks to its 2.4-liter double overhead-cam 4-cylinder engine that produces 161 horsepower. Standard tranny is the 5-speed manual shifter or an available electronically controlled 4-speed automatic gearbox. The compact cockpit can seat 5-passengers, or with spilt folding rear seatbacks down, 12.8 cubic feet of cargo room.

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Tuner car fans will be eyeing the frosty Blizzard Pearl white Scion tC Release Series 3.0 at the Chicago Auto Show. A new model for 2007, the styling cues on the R. S. 3.0 add darkened headlights, and a custom wide intake upper grille with honeycomb insert that matches the lower grille. This package uses Scion Genuine Accessory clear LED taillights accented by unique gray trim. The custom looking black Alcantara (suede-like material) seats are accented by a gray perforated center surface on a white background...more click on heading

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