Scion's All-New 2005 tC Sports Coupe Fulfills Luxury Expectations at a Subcompact Price

Scion, a new line of vehicles from Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., adds a heavy dose of performance to its growing line-up with the all-new tC sports coupe. The tC made its world premiere earlier this year at the 2004 North American International Auto Show.

"In June, the 2005 tC will join the entry-level xA and the urban utility xB, coinciding with Scion's national rollout," said Jim Farley, Scion vice president. "The tC is the first vehicle developed exclusively and strategically for the Scion brand. It aims to deliver a level of style, performance and value that will be flat-out impossible to beat."

Sophisticated Styling
The design target for the tC was to offer a sporty coupe with sophisticated styling and surprising versatility. The tC was developed in 13 months from finalization of blueprints, the fastest development time of any Toyota U.S. product.

"We wanted to take the tC to a new level of sophistication for cars in this class," said Dr. Shigeyuki Hori, Scion tC executive chief engineer. "Our goal was to give the tC the upscale look and feel, fit-and-finish, and attention-to-detail that approached that of a Lexus."

The sleek tC sits low and wide, with a wheelbase of 106.3 inches and an overall width of 69.1 inches. Configured as a three-door hatch, the tC has the formal look of a coupe with a trunk and features a standard panorama power moonroof, a first in its segment. Further adding to the tC's sleek appearance, the windshield wipers are set low so the driver has an unobstructed view. Class-above styling cues include outside mirrors with built-in turn signal lights, a clear lens center high mount stop lamp, "eyebrows" that emphasize the headlamps' steady gaze and a sporty mesh grille.

Like its Scion siblings, the tC will be equipped with many subtle hints of refinement, such as the use of dampers on interior moving parts, normally found in more upscale vehicles. The temperature control dial is made of genuine cast aluminum, and the front-passenger airbag is seamlessly integrated into the dash.

A total of seven colors are available for the tC: Azure Pearl and Flint Mica, which are new to the Scion line-up, Super White, Silver Streak Mica, Black Sand Pearl, Black Cherry Pearl and Indigo Ink Pearl. Exterior colors are complemented by a high-quality dark charcoal fabric interior.

Versatile and Upscale Interior
The tC offers incredible utility in a surprisingly spacious cabin. Storage capacity includes four roomy map pockets, numerous CD, bottle, cup and cell phone holders, bag hooks in side panels and a two-tiered, fabric-covered center console. More storage is provided under the rear floor deck, where a large right side area is available to secure valuables.
Evidence of Scion DNA can be found in the interior with use of amber illumination, metal-tone trim and innovative instrumentation panel grains. Meters and gauges spring to attention when the car starts up, and a unique day/night illumination reverses contrast of the gauges for easier viewing. A material that was inspired by the texture of Japanese paper was developed for the tC dash and upper door panels.
Driver and front-passenger will settle into sport bucket seats of a premium deep-texture fabric for a rich "class-above" feel and appearance. Shutter-type, flush-closing dash vents complement the overall look of the contrasting metal-tone center console. Eyes rest on a cast-aluminum temperature control knob, surrounded on both sides with soft-touch electronic buttons and a display that shows exterior temperature, seven fan speeds and a clock.

The driver seat has a height and thigh adjustment, along with a walk-in function with memory for both the seat and backrest. A simple push of a convenient lever at the top of the seat back yields a wide step-in distance for easy ingress to the back seats. Rear 60/40-split seats fold forward for a wide, nearly-flat load floor. The "business class" rear seats also recline to 45 degrees and can be adjusted into 10 different positions. Finally, when both the front and rear passenger seats are folded flat, tC provides more than 8.5 feet of length for cargo, complete with tie-down hooks in the rear seat and cargo areas.

Standard Value
Like the xA and xB, the Scion tC is offered in well-equipped mono-spec trim. Standard features include the panorama moonroof, side marker lamps integrated into side mirrors, four-wheel disc brakes and 17-inch alloy wheels with a graphite-color finish. The long list of tC standard amenities continues with cruise control, rear cargo tonneau cover, auto up/down front windows with pinch protection, in-key remote keyless entry, rolling code engine immobilizer security system, auto-off headlamps, electronic hatch with power release and a unique audio unit cover. All three Scion models come with air conditioning, power windows, door locks and mirrors and a chrome-plated exhaust tip.
All 2005 Scions are equipped with a new 160-watt, six-speaker AM/FM/CD Pioneer sound system that is XM satellite radio ready and features Scion Sound Processing with three pre-set equalizer settings and MP3-media compatibility. The Scion Pioneer audio system now comes with a user-customizable welcome screen similar to the feature found on cell phones, and Sound Retouch digital equalization for clearer MP3-CD sound. The extensive use of sound absorption materials help maintain low NVH levels that are more common in a class-above car.

Personalization
The tC carries on Scion's philosophy of personalization. Like xA and xB, the sports coupe is available with approximately 40 accessories at launch. Available accessories exclusive to tC include 18-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels, carbon fiber engine cover, polished stainless steel muffler, unique grille, color-keyed ground effects and rear lip spoiler.

Performance: Under the Hood
Power is provided by the 2AZ-FE all-aluminum 2.4-liter dual overhead cam four-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) specifically tuned for tC. Output is rated at 160 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 163 lb.-ft. of low-end torque at 4,000 rpm. This CARB-certified Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) engine is mated to a choice of either five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions. Preliminary EPA estimated city/highway fuel economy is 22/30 mpg with the manual transmission and 23/30 with the automatic transmission.

Performance: On the Road
"Fun-to-drive" has been redefined with the tC. A 61/39 front/rear weight distribution coupled with a four-wheel fully independent suspension provides exceptional balance, control and responsiveness. The double-wishbone rear suspension allows for maximum interior seating and cargo space, while ensuring the vehicle's secure, responsive handling.
The tC's wide-track/long-wheelbase chassis rides on P215/45Z R17 Bridgestone Potenza all-season Z-rated tires wrapped around standard 17-inch six-spoke alloy wheels. Steering and brake feel have been carefully tuned to produce the right mix of feedback from the road to the driver.

Performance: Supercharged
For added performance, a dealer-installed, fully-warranted supercharger system developed by Toyota Racing Development (TRD) will be available this Fall. The turnkey performance option incorporates a Vortech scroll compressor and integrates with the factory engine management system to boost output to approximately 200 horsepower.
TRD will also offer stiffer/shorter springs, a struts/shocks kit, performance clutch, quick shifter, leather-wrapped shift knob, sequential shift light kit and special wide-lip Racing Hart 19-inch wheels with high-performance Pirelli P Zero tires.

Advanced Safety
The tC was designed with an advanced four-wheel disc braking system. Stopping power is generated through ventilated front-rotors and solid rear-rotors. A precise pedal feel is achieved with a two-step brake booster that increases power assist proportional to pedal force.

The tC provides a standard driver's knee airbag, the first of its kind for Toyota and currently offered only on the Lexus RX 330. The airbag helps the driver stay in the driving position and provides additional protection against knee injuries in frontal collisions.

All tCs are equipped with standard Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) with 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.
Additional standard safety features include a first aid kit, driver and passenger front airbags, head restraints and three-point seatbelts in all five seating positions. Front seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags are available as the only factory option.

Untouchable Value
Like all things Scion, the tC is surprisingly affordable with an MSRP of $15,950, or $16,465 including freight, for models with the five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission is available for $800 more. And, like xA and xB, tC also comes with three complimentary oil changes, to be performed by an authorized Scion or Toyota dealership.

"When Scion goes on sale nationally in late June, Scion showrooms are expected in approximately 66 percent of all Toyota dealers," said Farley. "The launch of the 2005 tC sport coupe will complete the third leg of Scion's original three-vehicle strategic launch plan. But, it will not be the last."

Limited Warranty
The tC 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 dealer- and port-installed accessories are also covered by the new-vehicle warranty. Scion dealers have complete details on the limited warranty.

Story by Scion