The all-new 2004 Scion xB targets the growing Gen Y market with innovative styling that elicits emotion and demands to be noticed. Beyond its aggressive styling, the xB is a versatile subcompact with impressive performance, a vast amount of interior space and enormous potential for personal customization for by the consumer.

"The xB is the perfect car to launch Scion as it comprises expressive styling, versatility, and surprise," said Jim Farley, vice president, Scion. "The xB was developed for trend leaders, allowing this innovative buyer to be creative by molding it after their own personality through a multitude of customization possibilities."

Exterior Styling Design:

The exterior look of Scion xB is cutting edge with a box shape and sharp edges. It hunkers down low over its wheels and rises tall and wide with flat panels and 90-degree angles. This achieves maximum space from minimal exterior dimensions. The xB sits on P185/60R15 tires and 15-inch wheels with a slightly lowered suspension for a firm feel with confident handling. The xB features large door openings including a large rear fifth door hatch that features an electric power release handle for easy opening to its spacious rear cargo area.

The exterior design is further enhanced by a choice of three wheel-cover designs (nine-spoke, seven-spoke, or six-spoke twist), multi-reflector halogen headlamps, intermittent front wipers, a rear wiper, a chrome exhaust tip, and an exterior ground effects kit that includes a front air dam, rocker panel extensions, and a rear valance panel.

Personal exterior customization of the xB is possible with several available port- and dealer-installed exterior appearance accessories that include: * Alloy wheels * Wheel locks * Clear tail lamp lens * Rear bumper appliqué * Rear spoiler * Fog lamps * Front end mask * Tail lamp garnish * Body side graphics * Toyota Racing Development (TRD) Sport Parts

Spacious Interior:

Inside, the xB driver and passenger will enjoy front sport seats with tall seat height and sprawling head and legroom. The second row seats fold flat in a 60/40 configuration and are removable, along with the spare tire, providing a completely flat floor for hauling cargo. Ample storage compartments throughout the cabin add even more roominess.

The interior is multi-purpose and uniquely combines class-leading materials and finish, with surprising versatility. The instrument panel is covered in a fresh, cross-grain vinyl that provides a modern look, while the center stack housing audio and ventilation controls feature metal tone trim. The speedometer and odometer are more centrally located for easier readability and feature black-on-white gauges, while auxiliary controls feature amber illumination.

Like the xA, extensive use of light-weight sound absorption materials made of 100 percent recyclable thermo-plasticity-resin will be present throughout the cabin, contributing to a reduction in NVH.

Impressive Performance: The xB is powered by a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine and equipped with variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i), producing 108 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 105 lb-ft. of torque at 4,200 RPM. Weighing in at just around 2,400 pounds, the xB has an excellent power-to-weight ratio, providing energetic shift response. An available cold air intake accessory by AEM allows for enhanced performance.

Test results show the xB delivers excellent fuel economy with EPA city/highway mileage estimates of 31/35 when equipped with the five-speed manual transmission and 30/34 with the automatic. The xB is EPA certified as a low emission vehicle (LEV).

The engine is linked to a compact and lightweight five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission is also available.

The xB features independent suspension with MacPherson struts with coil springs in the front, and torsion beams in the rear. The steering rack is mounted to a subframe for additional noise and vibration control. Toe-correcting geometry in the rear suspension helps tighten handling. Steering is rack-and-pinion, and brakes are front ventilated discs with rear drums. For a more aggressive feel, a Hotchkis front strut tower brace accessory is available.

Standard Everything:

Like all Scion products, the xB will be mono-spec, making ordering simple. Thanks to its long list of standard equipment, the only decisions the xB buyer will need to make are transmission, color, and accessories. The xB features a standard Pioneer six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system featuring Scion Sound Processing (SSP). With SSP Scion drivers can choose between three settings - SSP Neutral setting keeps the music in the background, SSP Hear enhances the sounds with crisp highs and lows, and SSP Feel has a sound curve that lets passengers not only hear the music, but feel it. The CD player will read MP3 files and the audio head unit is satellite-radio-ready. Additional standard features on xB include: * Air conditioning * Power windows with one-touch auto down on driver's window * Power door locks * Power outside mirrors * Rear window defogger * Digital clock * Tilt steering wheel * Rear privacy glass * Tachometer and trip meter * Driver's sun visor with mirror * Front sport bucket seats with fabric upholstery * Cargo area under-floor storage * 60/40 split-folding rear seat * Remote keyless entry

An array of port- and dealer-installed interior accessories will be available for personal customization. An available six-disc CD changer features audio display illumination changes among 10 colors at the touch of a button. A subwoofer is also available.

In addition to audio choices, xB interior accessories include: * Leather-wrapped steering wheel in choice of red or gray * Cup holder illumination * Cargo net * Door sill enhancements * LED interior light kit * Carbon fiber shift knob in choice of four colors (manual transmission only) * Sport pedals * Carpeted floor mats with cargo area mat * Scion security * Cargo cover

Advanced Safety:

The xB is equipped with standard Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) with Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). While ABS helps to prevent the wheels from locking during severe braking conditions, EBD detects the differences in front- and rear-wheel speeds and dispenses the proper braking force to all four wheels. The BA function helps a driver who may not be depressing the pedal hard enough during emergency braking conditions. This function assesses the driver's braking according to how much and how hard the pedal has been depressed, and then generates additional brake force to assist the driver.

The xB also features Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with traction control (TRAC) as standard equipment. The VSC system helps keep the vehicle going on its intended course by detecting front-wheel slide and rear-wheel slide during cornering and attempting to control either condition with torque throttle intervention and/or by braking individual wheels. The system's TRAC feature helps reduce tire slippage during acceleration.

Additional standard safety features include driver and passenger front airbags, head restraints and three-point seatbelts in all five seating positions.

Affordable Pricing:

The upscale quality of materials and mono-spec packaging is unique for a subcompact vehicle. What makes the xB even more surprising is the pricing. The xB carries a base price of $13,680 for models with the five-speed manual transmission. An xB equipped with an automatic transmission is priced at $14,480. Also, every Scion vehicle comes with three complimentary oil changes, to be performed by an authorized Scion or Toyota dealership.

Limited Warranty:

The xB features a 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty that applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60,000 miles and corrosion with no mileage limitation. All Scion port- and dealer-installed accessories are also covered by the new-vehicle warranty. Scion dealers have complete details on the limited warranty.

Colors:

Colors available for the xB include Polar White, Thunder Cloud Metallic, Black Sand Pearl, Camouflage, Black Cherry Pearl, and Blue Onyx Pearl. Exterior colors are matched with a high-quality dark charcoal fabric interior.

Story by Toyota