Bumping bass lines. Pitch-black room with opposing DJ booths on both sides. Massive projection screen with wireframe graphics. Nope, not a night at Mulcahy’s, but the Scion press conference at the 2010 New York International Auto Show, complete with the coolest screen presentation I’ve ever seen at a car show.
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The “most ethnically diverse non-luxury segment” on the market brought three announcements to the Javits Center. Perhaps the biggest news was the introduction of the all-new iQ. Aimed squarely at the Mini and Smart lines—Scion Vice President Jack Hollis referred to Scion’s new baby as Mini-er and Smart-er—the iQ brings urban styling and character to the premium micro-subcompact segment, which may very well have been invented specifically for this. Mileage per gallon is estimated in the 30s.
Scion’s bread and butter, the tC, got a large overhaul, adding sharp lines to the easy curves of the outgoing model. The tC’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine gets a boost, coming in at 180 horsepower, 19 more than the current offering. This is Scion’s moneymaker, so expect to see plenty of 2011 tCs covered in double-decker rear wings, body kits and flame graphics.
If rounded edges aren’t your thing, Toyota’s smallest arm also announced a restyled xB. Tweaks on the xB’s sheetmetal include a new honeycomb grille pattern, new headlights and larger front bumper vents. Inside, front-row seats receive new bolsters.
