Toyota’s youth-oriented sub-brand, Scion continued its renaissance at the New York Auto Show with the introduction of its latest alphabet cars: the iA and iM.
After suggesting the “i” in both vehicles stood for individual and intriguing, Scion began differentiating the pair by suggesting the “A” in iA could mean “aggressive” styling, “accommodating” cabin and trunk, and “affordable.”
Well, it better mean “aaa” as the brand needs add punch to its line-up to bolster sales. The new iA is affordable as entry-level sports cars go starting in the $16,000 range.
While it’s not Toyota Supra fast, it’s got decent giddy up with a quick-revving, high- compression 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine putting out 106 horsepower; choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions; standard 16-inch alloy wheels, and estimated fuel economy ratings of 33 city and 42 highway, which is good for a 37 combined mpg.
The perky engine gets agile handling to accent it with a MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear suspension along with a body structure that uses straight beams wherever possible, continuous framework that makes the individual sections function in harmony, and effective positioning of high-tensile steel, Scion said.
The five-door iM gets tagged with modern, multi-faceted and magnetic. Again, with a focus on affordability, the $20,000 hatchback gets an estimated 37 combined mpg with a roomy cabin that features all of the technology that first-time buyers are now clamoring for controlled by a 7-inch Pioneer display.
Featuring HD radio and Aha, the multi-media system controls also appear on the same screen that the driver views the standard rear view backup camera on.
However, the new iM also features a 137-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine tied to a six-speed manual transmission, although an automatic is also available. The optional automatic is also perfectly suited to the 1.8-liter engine.
(Scion teases two debuts coming to New York Auto Show. For more, Click Here.)
“It’s an intelligent Continuously Variable Transmission that’s been sport-tuned for driving pleasure. That’s why it’s called the CVTi-S,” according to Scion. “Not all CVTs operate as responsively as the CVTi-S in the Scion iM. This one’s got both a Sport mode as well as manual shifting capability with seven stepped shift points.”
However, the iM isn’t just about the engine. The hatchback offers a variety of special add-ons to allow owners to really customize the car, including: a roof rack for more storage; pet accessories such as a dog harness with tether, door guards, a seat pet barrier and even a grass pad for those potentially messy moments; and Toyota Racing Development performance accessories, including an air intake system, anti-roll bar, lowering springs and other components to make the iM go faster and handle better.
(Click Here for details about Toyota’s new global architecture.)
The two new models are part of a concerted effort by Toyota to return the neglected brand to prominence again with younger buyers.
“We’re committed to Scion,” declared Bob Carter, head of Toyota’s U.S. auto operations, during a speech in San Francisco in January. The sub-brand remains “a test bed for Millennials,” and a significant part of Toyota’s broader strategy.
(To see NY wrap up auto show season with big debuts, Click Here.)
The turnaround in the portfolio began with the sporty FR-S, a 200-horsepower, rear-wheel drive sporty-looking coupe. It’s also put out its Scion tC Release Series 9.0 based on a one-off concept by tuner firm Cartel Customers. Clad in magma orange and black, the limited edition tC gets a specialized tuner center exhaust pipe, alloy wheels and an orange-accented interiors.
