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Kaizen Factor
Toyota has just published teaser shots of their upcoming SEMA Show projects which include four contenders in their 2013 Dream Build Challenge and two other vehicles which will be revealed tomorrow.
Since this is hell week for all SEMA project builders, Toyota has upped their game by having all of their builds completed as of last week. Considering that the build teams only had 7 weeks to put their cars together, you will be amazed at the details and quality of each project.
You can find more info on Toyota’s Dream Build Challenge projects and their teams here: http://www.toyotadreambuild.com/
Scion Nights is undeniably the world’s largest gathering of Scion owners and enthusiasts in one place at one time. As we are nearing the holiday season, Scion has once again partnered up with the Toys for Tots Foundation to help collect gifts for less fortunate kids. Over 12,500 Scion owners and guests came from all parts of California and surrounding to partake in one of the largest toy drives in the region.
Each owner and their guests who arrived in a Scion with a new unwrapped toy were given admission to the Halloween themed Knott’s Scary Farm. Instead of the usual military vehicle cargo haulers, the untimely government shutdown allowed Scion to enlist brand new Texas-built 2014 Toyota Tundras to help hold onto the gifts for the Toys for Tots Foundation. Over 27,000 gifts were collected.
This annual Scion celebration drew over 3,500 Scions, which encompasses every single model and generation ever made. Scion traffic jams were caused in and around the streets leading into Knott’s. All sorts of xA, xB, xD, tC, iQ and FR-S could be found everywhere you looked. Every Scion Release Series as well as the new Scion 10 Anniversary models could be found here.
Before Knott’s Scary Farm opened their doors at 7 pm, Scion treated their guests to a mini carnival of aftermarket vendors, food trucks, live music, a skate park, and even a zip line in the Scion-only parking lot. Many iconic project vehicles were on display as well as the first ever xA and xB which is normally housed at the Toyota USA Museum. It was a treat for all that came and a huge success for Scion and the Toys for Tots Foundation. Special thanks to Craig at Scion for allowing me to be an honorary Scion owner for a day.
GALLERY: 10.16.13 Scion Night @ Knott’s Scary Farm
Taking an econobox 3 or 5 door hatchback, popping in a high output motor mated to a manual transmission and a taut tuned suspension was a recipe for fun. It’s been many years since the Toyota built great hot hatches like the Corolla FX-16 and the Corolla RunX. With Toyota’s rich motorsports heritage, it is possible for Toyota to have fun-to-drive, desirable cars again.
TMG (Toyota Motorsport GmbH), Toyota’s European tuning house was responsible for Toyota GT-One, sports car racer and the Toyota Formula 1 team. Last year, TMG re-entered sports car racing with the Toyota TS030 the first race car entered into the FIA WEC with Hybrid technology. Being a pioneer in Hybrid tech, TMG has taken Toyota Hybrid to a new level incorporating their motorsports expertise into hot hatch form. The Toyota Yaris Hybrid R Concept is the Toyota hot hatch we’ve been waiting for and it debuts at the 2013 Frankfurt Motorshow today.
The Yaris Hybrid R Concept features trickle down tech from the TS030 Hybrid race car. A 300hp 1.6L Turbocharged (Turbo Garett GTR2560R ) 4 cylinder GRE (Global Racing Engine) powers the front wheels and two 60 hp electric motors powering each of the rear wheels which equates to a max output of 420hp. That’s more than the Lexus IS F! Like the TS030 racer, KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) will power up a super capacitor which resides in the rear seat. A third electric motor will help modulate traction to rear wheels during acceleration and harness power into the super capacitor during deceleration.A six speed sequential transmission is mated to the petrol motor.
On the inside, two-tone Recaro seats are clad with black leather and blue Alcantara surfaces. The dash and door panels will also have complimenting blue Alcantara trim. The sport steering wheel also clad in Alcantara and will feature a two mode drive selector button for “Road” and “Track” modes. A set of brushed aluminum sport pedals are borrowed from the GT 86 sports car.
On the outside, this concept may look like an ordinary 3-door Yaris. But if you look closely, this hatchback is a lot more prominent than the norm. An aggressive front fascia with a larger grille and blacked out headlamps and two large air intakes with blue LED running lamps accented by blue striping to match the Toyota Hybrid theme. The flared wheel housings are filled with special 18″ TRD wheels wrapped in sticky 225/40 R18 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires. Six piston fronts and four piston rear brakes help stop this hot hatch. A rear roof spoiler and rear bumper diffuser help streamline airflow.
Although just a concept for now, we hope Toyota will bring this Yaris Hybrid R Concept to production in the near future. Even if the Yaris Hybrid R doesn’t make it to production, at least bring the motorsports driven GRE tech to future Toyota and Lexus sports vehicles. How does Supra Hybrid R sound?
Check out the Toyota Yaris Hybrid Concept video:
Key TMG Global Race Engine Specifications
Engine Size: 1595 cm3
Fuel System Type: Direct Injection (up to 200 bar)
Air System Type: Turbo Garett GTR2560R (max boost pressure : 2.5 bar)
Air restrictor: 33 mm
Max. Power: + de 300 ch at 6000 rpm
Max. Torque : 420 Nm
Max. RPM : 7500 rpm
Source: [Toyota Europe]
May 3, 2012 – El Monte, CA – It’s been a long wait, but history has been made. The first Scion FR-S (a.k.a. Toyota 86 & GT 86 outside of North America & Subaru BRZ globally) has been delivered to the first lucky enthusiast of the “First 86 Program”. Earlier this year at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, Scion USA announced a program where enthusiasts had a chance to be selected as one of the “First “86” to purchase an FR-S. Well, the time has come, and the first of the lucky “First 86 Program” has taken delivery at the #1 Scion dealership, Longo Scion in Southern California.
A little presentation was held before the “First 86” owner was handed the keys. Tom Rundai, President and General Manager of Longo Toyota, Lexus & Scion presented the First 86 owner a few gifts including a special carbon fiber plaque by Five Axis commemorating the “First 86” delivery, a special “First 86” gift pack which included a numbered carbon fiber FR-S license plate frame, an FR-S pen and a few other goodies.
Shortly thereafter, the fitted black FR-S cover was pulled off to reveal the first production Scion FR-S available for sale. The lucky owner had selected the pearl white exterior known as Whiteout (37J) mated with a proper Aisin TL70 6 speed manual transmission. After the keys were handed to the first FR-S owner, everyone gathered around to watch him get in the car and start it up for the first time. Shortly thereafter, the barrage of photographers surrounded the new FR-S owner to document the moment. A video crew was also on hand to interview the first Scion FR-S owner ever. Congratulations to the first Scion FR-S owner and his new delivery!
For those anxiously waiting to get their hands on this hot new Scion, get in line because the “First 86” are receiving their FR-S as we speak! The 2013 Scion FR-S will be available to the general public this Summer at your local Scion dealer.
Special thanks goes out to Jeffrey Chang of Longo Scion, Tom Rudnai, President of Longo Toyota/Lexus/Scion and the folks at Scion USA for the opportunity to witness this historic event.
Article & Photos by: Flipside909
Here’s video of the Scion iQ being driven indoors at K1 Speed in Irvine. 
The iQ is the first gas powered vehicle to be driven on this indoor course. Scion made special arrangements with K1 Speed Indoor Karting to show guests the true agility of the new iQ. Guests were whisked away on hot laps in the iQ by SCCA pro drivers. Check out the agility of this latest ultra compact Scion, it will be sure to “move you” out of your seat!
Here’s a teaser video clip from the Scion iQ event at K1 in Irvine. No this is not photoshopped!
Despite the inclement So Cal weather, a very special Scion made a special appearance at the iQ event. More to come…
October 26, 2011 – Los Angeles, CA – It’s hell week and we’re quickly approaching opening day of the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Luckily for Scion, they’re ahead of the game as they have completed all of their project cars in time for this year’s show while others are frantically adding the finishing touches as we speak. Just last night, Scion hosted a sneak preview of their new SEMA Show goodies at the very trendy Kim Sing Theater on Fig which is on the western edge of Chinatown in Los Angeles. This special event brought guests together from local and international locations. Invited media, the builders and a plethora of VIP guests had a chance to rub elbows, share stories and talk about cars while they dined on delicious drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Welcome to the car culture capital of the world!
Last year’s Scion Tuner Challenge paid hommage to our nation’s armed forces with an array of special build xB’s. This year, Scion will be showcasing seven projects in which . four of these cars will be the all-new “Smart-er & Mini-er” iQ (3 of which will be featured in the Tuner Challenge and one trick chop top utility cruiser), two xB’s a snowboarder’s dream ride & a VIP inspired Scion Canada Tuner Challenge Champ), and lastly one road race ready tC. You’ll be able to take a look at all these rides up close at booth# 20703 located on the northwest section of Central Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Tuner Challenge iQ by Michael Chang
Tuner Challenge iQ by Jon Sibal
Tuner Challenge iQ by Tatsu
iQ “Pit Boss” by Cartel
tC Gruppe S by Dynamic
Numeric xB by 686®
More photos can be found here: 10-26-11 Scion SEMA Preview GALLERY
Special thanks goes out to our friends at Scion USA!
It was inevitable but the details continue to trickle in as anticipation builds for the long awaited, fun-to-drive, Toyota FT-86 (a.k.a Scion FR-S for us in North America).
Just last week Toyota teased us with a video of a revamped FT-86 II for the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. It was just yesterday that Toyota unveiled handful of new cars including the refreshed FT-86 II. Aside from the obvious pearly orange-red exterior, a few new features have surfaced specifically the brakes and the tires. It appears that the FT has gained four piston front, two piston rear Brembo brake calipers and some new shoes, FT-86 spec Bridgestone Potenza RE86 tires! It seems as if Bridgestone has resurrected the RE”86″ model name to match its AE86 heritage. Aside from the nice stance and great wheel fitment, could the staggered 19″ wheels possibly be forged BBS like the Lexus LFA? We can only wonder. Hurry up Toyota (& Scion), the suspense is killing us!!
Special thanks to our friend Agent 001 of Autospies.com for letting us use his comprehensive collection of photos from the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. Check out the full gallery of FT-86 II Concept pics here!
FT-86 II Concept Overvew @ Frankfurt Auto Show:
Photo Courtesy: AutoSpies.com
Videos Courtesy: Toyota Motor Europe & Toyota Global
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