Scion today announced it will drift the RS*R Scion tC in Formula Drift events this year.

Scion’s drift car is based on its most popular model, the tC sports coupe. The factory built front-wheel drive tC turned into a drifting contender through a rear-wheel drive conversion performed by acclaimed exhaust and suspension manufacturer, RS*R.

The tC shares its platform with Toyota’s Japanese market Avensis four-wheel drive and Caldina all-wheel drive, enabling it to undergo the conversion. RS*R used its extensive performance shop experience to change the tC’s stock transverse engine configuration to a longitudinal setup in order to drive power, through the transmission and drive shaft, directly to the rear wheels.

“Scion has participated in motorsports for three years and the fan support has been incredible,” said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. “Drifting is an exciting, emerging motorsport with a dedicated and intense fan base. We’re looking to engage drifting enthusiasts and Scion owners just like we do in drag racing. We think the fans will be just as excited as we are about our RS*R Scion tC as it demonstrates one of Scion’s primary philosophies, customization. At this time we do not have confirmed plans to produce a tC rear wheel drive, but a lot of people will want to take one home.”

The RS*R Scion tC features a 3SGE Beams motor, HKS GT3037 turbo and intercooler, Blitz Dual SBC boost controller, and AEM EMS engine management system that outputs more than 400 horsepower, compared to the stock 161 horsepower. A G-Force five-speed sequential transmission, Tilton triple carbon clutch, Project Mu brakes, RS-R coilovers, Sparco Corsa seats and a custom concept wide body kit also make this vehicle unique. This tC will gracefully maneuver the track with Enkei RPF1 wheels and Toyo Proxes® R1R™ tires.

Ken Gushi will be at the wheel of the RS*R Scion tC. Gushi learned to drift at the age of 13 when his father took him to El Mirage Off-Highway Vehicle Area in California. Gushi started his drifting career at the age of 16 and was the youngest driver to compete in D1. Now 21 years old, Gushi has further developed his skills and placed in many drift events.

“We think our first season of drift will be a knock-out,” said Hollis. “We’ve got the talented Ken Gushi behind the wheel of one of the hottest tCs out there.”

The RS*R Scion tC, also sponsored by Toyo Tires and XM Satellite Radio, will make its first appearance at Formula Drift’s Round 1, Streets of Long Beach in Calif. on April 12. The event will also be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

Gushi and the RS*R tC will also compete in subsequent Formula Drift events including Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga. on May 10, Wall Speedway in Wall, N.J. on June 14, Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nev. On July 12, Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash. On Aug. 9, Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. on September 13 and Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, Calif. on Oct. 11.

Scion Announces Pricing For tC Release Series 4.0 To Be Displayed At The 2008 Chicago Auto Show

Scion, of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., announced today that the second limited-production Scion for 2008, the tC Release Series 4.0 (tC RS 4.0), will be available at dealer showrooms beginning in March. A tC RS 4.0 will be on display in the Scion booth at the Chicago Auto Show.

The 2008 tC RS 4.0 will feature Galactic Gray Mica exterior paint and will come with VIP-themed enhancements. A DAMD body kit and upper grille will make this tC standout. A color-keyed rear spoiler will also be available. Inside, the tC RS 4.0 will have gray and black Alcantara® seats, ?tC RS 4.0? embroidered on the front and rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a black leather and dark wood RAZO shift knob. Like all Release Series vehicles, an individually numbered badge will complete the uniqueness of this vehicle.

Only 2,300 units of the tC RS 4.0 will be built. The tC Release Series 4.0 model will carry a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $2,770 over the base price of the tC. The manual transmission tC has a base MSRP of $17,000, while the MSRP for the automatic transmission model is $17,800. The available color-keyed spoiler has an MSRP of $285, not including installation.

The delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee for all Scion models is $620 and is not included in the MSRP. DPH fees for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

Scion, of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., announced today that the first limited-production Scion for 2008, the xB Release Series 5.0 (xB R.S. 5.0), will be available at dealer showrooms beginning in February.

The 2008 xB Release Series 5.0 features dazzling Gold Rush Mica exterior paint inspired by last year’s Chicago Auto Show xB display vehicle. This limited edition xB features a KenStyle® body kit, new Release Series wheel covers, and a moonroof, an xB first. A color-keyed rear spoiler will also be available.

Inside, the xB features a Gold Rush Mica accented interior trim and color-tuned seat fabric. Individual numbered badging completes the uniqueness of this vehicle.

Only 2,500 units of the xB Release Series 5.0 will be built. The xB Release Series 5.0 model will carry a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $2,470 over the base price of the xB. The manual transmission xB has a base MSRP of $15,650, while the MSRP for automatic transmission model is $16,600. The available color-keyed spoiler has an MSRP of $320.

The delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee for all Scion models is $620 and is not included in the MSRP. DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

A 2008 xB Release Series 5.0 will be on display in the Scion booth at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Scion today announced its partnership with RIDEMAKERZ, an innovative new toy car customization retailer inspired by Build-A-Bear Workshop. The Scion RIDE, based on the new xB urban utility vehicle and the latest model in the RIDEMAKERZ lineup, was unveiled at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. The partnership and product will please tuners, kids and parents alike.

“Scion is iconic for the ways in which our customers make customization happen, and we and RIDEMAKERZ both look at cars as canvases for self-expression. We now have the opportunity to take this experience to kids, as well,” said Lisa Materazzo, Scion national marketing and communications manager. “SEMA represents the customization and originality that is possible within the automobile industry and Scion feels it is the perfect showground to celebrate our new venture with RIDEMAKERZ.”

The two brands are complementary in their approach, with the “driver” in charge of uniquely customizing their “ride.” RIDEMAKERZ invites guests, or “Customizers™,” into the ultimate car-customizing shop where they travel through seven zones to create a one-of-a-kind RIDE. The zones, entitled CHOOZE, SONICIZE, MOTORIZE, MOBILIZE, CUSTOMIZE, PERSONALIZE and CRUIZE™, are used to select body style, paint job, sounds, engines, accessories, and decals. Between them all, RIDEMAKERZ estimates there are more than 649 million possible combinations, not including individual decal placement.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Scion to help bring the car-customizing movement to the next generation,” said Larry Andreini, ZEO (CEO) and founder of RIDEMAKERZ. “The process of building a kid-sized Scion and then personalizing it is pure fun. It sparks creativity and ‘engineuity’ and lets kids, in particular, create their own cool, customized version of an extremely popular real life car. There’s truly no experience like it.”

The Scion RIDE is available in Cannonball Black, Comet Blue and Wasabi Green and measures approximately 12 inches long. Once the approximately 1:18 scale xB models are tricked out, Customizers create a personalized license plate and receive their own Certificate of Title, which includes a unique RIDE Identification Number (RIN). This number can be used to view and interact with their RIDE online at RIDEMAKERZ.COM. The pint-sized xB ranges in price from $22 for the Cannonball Black and Comet Blue versions to $25 for the Wasabi Green. Custom accessories range in price from $2.50 for grille guards and hood scoops to $15 for a deluxe “Muscle Kit” that includes a blown engine, spoiler, side pipes, muffler tips and roof vents. Radio-control can be added for $25.

SEMA attendees will be able to view a large-scale model of the Scion xB special edition RIDE in the Scion booth located in the Central Hall, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, as well as enter a raffle for a chance to win a special edition RIDEMAKERZ xB designed and signed by Troy Sumitomo, from Five Axis, a renowned customization and fabrication shop in Huntington Beach, Calif. Similar to his “one off,” life size creations, these one-of-a-kind mini models are a work of art.

Kids of all ages can build the new Scion RIDE on RIDEMAKERZ.COM (with a Z) and at Shops located at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. In November, RIDEMAKERZ will open two additional Shops at the Spotsylvania Towne Center in Fredericksburg, Va. and at Castleton Square Mall in Indianapolis, Ind.

The RIDEMAKERZ experience is specifically designed to provide choice, unleash creativity, foster confidence, encourage cooperation, and instill a sense of community, which also are hallmarks of the Scion brand. Scion and RIDEMAKERZ appeal to the young, and young at heart, tapping into the innate desire to build and create, generating not only pride in affiliation, but also pride and ownership of one’s own creation.

RIDEMAKERZ Scion RIDE xB

Scion xB

EXTERIOR

-19″ custom billet wheels by Coddington Wheels
-245/35/19 fk452 tires by Falken Tire
-1 3/4″ lowering springs by Eibach Springs
-Custom House of Colors purple pearl paint by Franks Autobody
-Custom hologram images by Rabbit Holes
-Custom electroluminescent lighting animating Ron English’s ying-yang artwork by Lit Media Group
-Smoked lighting by Franks Autobody

INTERIOR

-Custom two-tone leather interior with Ron English artwork embroidered in the head rests by Bill Dunn Upholstery
Interior accent painting by Franks Autobody

Custom car design and coordination by Robert Wilson

Scion tC by Ron English

Scion TC