MicroCar Magazine » Industry News

SEMA 2011 here we come!

thomas — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:24:45 +0000

That’s right! MicroCarMag.com makes our return to the largest Automotive Industry only show in the United States! We will be providing coverage of the 4 day event from Las Vegas Nevada. Look for the first photos from the show as early as Monday October 30th as we set up our 2010 Nissan Cube SL VIP edition Feature Car.

FIVE:AD introduces 2012 iQ Five Axis Edition!

thomas — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 20:49:35 +0000

What can be better than owning an all new 2012 Scion iQ? How about owning a 2012 Scion iQ Five Axis Edition? Well that is now possible, Troy and company at Five Axis via the FIVE:AD product line have introduced that ability to customize your 2012 Scion iQ to the same set up that fans of Five Axis have been known to see. Ranging in price, depending on wheel selection (pick 17″ or 18″ R6:F/S6:F), the kit includes color match lip kit / mounting lugs / Tein High Tech Springs. Depending on the rims you select, the price can range from $2,740 – $2,940, well worth the price to have a unique iQ that will stand out from the rest of the other iQs on the road.

Build your iQ now!

thomas — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 03:58:29 +0000

With the delivery of the first iQ coming up in Oct for the West Coast, Scion has released the latest version of its builder. Playing around with the builder we find that they have utilized pure flash function and the choices for color and parts is a pure drag and drop function. Some items like sway bars and certain interior parts are not available in the 3D view.

Scion iQ on it’s way!

thomas — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 04:50:34 +0000

photo courtesy of Toyota / Scion Pressroom

Toyota’s Scion brand announced this week that the long awaited MicroCar they have promised us is finally dropping in October! We at MicroCarMag.com are thrilled – We had the chance to scope this interesting piece of automotive art when it made its semi debut in San Francisco for fans of the brand. With a wheelbase of only 10 feet this iQ will compete with SMART and to be released TaTa Nano.

With one of the most interesting configuration the iQ sports a 3+1 seating arrangement that puts the front seat passenger in an offset forward position to allow for a full size adult to sit behind, the +1 means that a younger child or small adult could fit behind the driver.

Power for the iQ will come compliments of a 1.3 liter 4 cylinder VVT-i engine that will produce 94 hp and 89 ft lbs of torq. It’s one of the smaller engines that Toyota has put in one of its modern released vehicles, however you know that many of our project car sponsors will be chomping at the bit to modify the heck out of that little engine.

Not to stand too far apart from the rest of its Scion family – The iQ will have a standard 160 watt stereo with the ability to have a custom greeting screen, use your ipod and other mp3 devices. For a little extra you can upgrade to a 200 watt system or one with a GPS.

The iQ will be available in seven exterior colors, including Blizzard Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Black Sand Pearl, Hot Lava (personal favorite of MicroCarMag), Pacific Blue Metallic and Black Currant Metallic.

Starting at an MSRP of $15,265 plus delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee for all Scion models is $730 and is not included in the MSRP. DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

As soon as we are able to get our hands on one we will have a behind the wheel report of this awesome little beast!

Scion releases pricing for 2010 Scion xD

thomas — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:45:20 +0000

Scion to announced pricing for the 2010 Scion xD – Folks purchasing the next model year of the xD will be met with $150 increase. Besides an increase price Scion has thrown in a few new upgrades – new standard and optional audio systems and also gains standard Vehicle Stability Control (VSC).

New Audio -

The xD’s new standard AM/FM/CD/USB 160-watt maximum output Pioneer audio system receives additional functionality for 2010. New features include an organic electroluminescent (OEL) screen, iPod®/USB connectivity, Advanced Sound Retriever (ASR), and a subwoofer RCA output. The standard Pioneer system has a USB port and universal auxiliary (AUX) port located on the center console that allows users to listen to their portable music collection through the xD’s six Pioneer speakers.

Other than the upgraded audio and added VSC the 2010 model year gets the same Dual VVT-i 128hp engine, and the usual Scion xD comforts.

Click here for the whole press release from Scion

smart announces first ever special financing

thomas — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:06:29 +0000

smart today announced that they are going to begin a short term program that will give new buyers of remaining unused 2008 and new 2009 Pure / Passion Coupe / Passion Cabriolet models special 4.2% financing. From what I can find in regards to the smart brand in the US, the only “specials” we ever did see involved was the reserve for $99 when the brand was first introduced to the states. If your interested in this deal however you need to move now, applicants that qualify for this special rate will have to purchase prior to July 31st.

Wasabi?!

thomas — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:14:52 +0000

Today Scion made wasabi not just something you find in a Japanese Sushi resturant but now the color for the final limited edition car of 2009. Scion decided to select the xD as this car and give it an imaginary color of Electric Wasabi. Unlike the RS 1.0 xD, Scion decided to concentrate on interior mods and not so much with the exterior. The RS 2.0 Electric Wasabi Scion xD comes equiped with all sorts of electronic goodies.

The xD features a touch screen Pioneer Audio Visual Navigation (AVN) head unit with flash memory, voice recognition, and Bluetooth^®. For media player flexibility, the AVN unit comes with USB, SD card, and iPod^® connectivity. The Pioneer AVN head unit is also satellite radio, rear view camera and HD Radio^® ready and will play iPod videos when the parking brake is engaged. In addition, users can select from over 32,000 colors to customize the 5.8-inch high-resolution WVGA LCD touch-panel display. The driver can plan the perfect roadtrip at home by downloading the freeware application AVIC Feeds to a computer, making a personalized destination directory and then transferring the data to the headunit using SD card or USB memory device.

Electric Wasabi accents the xD’s interior with four-in-one interior lights, and “Release Series 2.0” door sills illuminated with white back lighting. Silver accented seat fabric and individually numbered badging add to the vehicle’s uniqueness.

Scion will only build 1,600 units of the xD RS 2.0. The xD RS 2.0 model will carry a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $1,270 over the base price of the xD. The base MSRP for the standard xD with a manual transmission is $14,650, while the standard xD with an automatic transmission model carries a MSRP of $15,450. The available Electric Wasabi spoiler has a MSRP of $285, not including installation.

Scion Reveals iQ Concept at the 2009 New York International Auto Show

thomas — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 07:28:11 +0000

Photo Coutesy of Toyota / Scion

NEW YORK, April 8, 2009 — At the New York Auto Show today, Scion unveiled a special concept version of the iQ micro-subcompact car designed to meet the transportation needs of young urban trendsetters.

Scion’s iQ concept is a new urban vehicle with a revolutionary package that is just over 10 feet in length and accommodates three plus luggage. As more and more urban centers are revitalized with a new sense of purpose, energy, and creativity, young people are moving in from the suburbs to embrace new urbanism and are looking for a car that suits their needs and delivers high emotional value.

continue >>