I received my console via postal service today, straight from Japan.  Originally I was going to hold off on the install, but after pulling everything out, I decided I may as well!

Parts Included :

Console Body

Bottom Cover

Console Deck

Mounting Racks

various screws for installation

Tools Required :

Screw Driver…

Installation :

As you can see from the large Tool list, this is a fairly simple installation.  There are two mounting racks that slide and hug onto both front seat tracks, from the bottom.  Pull them all the way towards you and they’ll sit in place, slightly sagging but that will be fixed once everything is screwed into place.  Position the legs of the console deck onto the mounting racks, and line up two holes to screw it into place on each side.  You’re halfway done, MAN I love simple installations like this!  Pop the bottom cover onto the console body, and set it over the deck.  The bottom cover allows a flush appearance when the console is put into place.  Set the console body on top of the deck, and open up the main section to screw it into place.  There are four holes, and four small screws to keep the console in place.  Throw in the nice fuzzy bottom piece (much like what’s in our door handle areas) to cover up the screws, close up the section, and enjoy what 5 minutes of hard work has given you; a nice storage console/arm rest!!

As a young man who is 6′ tall in stature, I find the console to be relatively low; certainly comfortable for me, but definitely nothing that would be overbearing to an xD owner of any build!  Seeing as how it IS an OEM piece, it flows well with the interior; an extreme wonder why Toyota never decided to bring it over to the states!

That’s about it for now…Hope you all enjoyed the write up, and should you purchase the console, enjoy it as well!

Next up for me?  HID installation!  I’ll actually need my own pictures for that install guide, so we’ll see how that goes

-Corey

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

photo from Toyota Motor Press

When Toyota first launched the Scion product line, they started off with 2 models, xB and xA. After 2 years they released the ever-popular tC. As sales in the xA declined, Scion looked for a way to add a replacement. The answer to Scion’s quest brought us the xD–this also was met with the refresh of the Toyota iSt, the xD’s cousin from the Far East.

Sporting a 1.8 liter Dual VVT-I engine pushing out 128 horsepower and an aerodynamic body that shows parts from the Yaris and Matrix, this combo gives a very nice addition to the Scion line.

Microcarmag.com took ownership of a Scion xD, a 2008 Release Series 1.0, to be exact, and we have been driving it for the past nine months. You’re probably thinking, “Nine whole months and you are now finally writing a review on this car?” That’s right, we spent a number of months doing everything from local driving, freeways, and even a few drives to Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

The Review

We procured a 2008 Scion xD Release Series 1.0, #663 of 2000, equipped with XM / Navigation Radio, and a one-of-a-kind DAMD body kit. The first look of the Scion xD sporting the DAMD kit tells you that this xD was not designed to be slow.

photo from Toyota Motor Press

You might be thinking, “It’s a dang Scion…They are not suppose to be fast!” Well, don’t let the fact that it’s part of the Scion line fool you in the speed / power arena. Acceleration is steady, not the fastest from 0-60, but unlike the xA or even the first gen xB, the xD does not stutter at the press of the pedal.

In the stock xD, the interior is not super-impressive. However, our RS 1.0 came with color match-painted accent parts. The fabric seats and interior accents are an upgrade from the original xA, and it appears that they took some seat design cues from the tC.

Visibility is something that has never been a problem any of the Scion line, and I have to say that it is still not a problem. The only issue that I see–and this has been across the line of Scion cars–is that the windshields are still a weak point. We are already changing out ours after taking either a rock or some sort of road debris.

One other weakness that we have discovered is that unlike the new tC and Gen 2 xB, the xD came with a brake combo of disk up front and drum on the rear. Stopping power mixed with horse power does not seem to match and to be honest, I think Scion / Toyota should have considered all disk brakes.

Overall Opinion
Overall the new Scion xD is a very good car, even with the fact that it needs better brakes and that they still have yet to create an angle that would make your windshield last longer.

What’s ahead?
We have tons planned for our 2008 Scion xD RS 1.0. New intake, hopefully a new set of headers, exhaust, new lighting. Keep watching our site.