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2016 Scion iA shows its face, for better or worse, in New York [w/video]

We have a theory that, among auto designers, there's something resembling Stockholm Syndrome. Designers spend so many hours looking at a single product that, after awhile, they can't help but fall in love with it, regardless of how bad it may look to everyone else. That might explain the appearance of the Scion iA, which while largely similar to the handsome Mazda2, replaces that car's attractive five-pointed grille with what could be described as a gaping maw. Fortunately, it's only the Scion grille that really causes any offense. The parts of the iA that have been left to Mazda designers are, as we said, rather handsome. That includes both the attractive rear and the Kodo-derived lines found in the tiny sedan's profile. The cabin, meanwhile, is well outfitted with standard equipment, including a seven-inch touchscreen display. Plastic is the dominant material, although the overall layout is logical and mostly attractive. Have a look at our live gallery of images of Scion's first-ever four-door sedan. Sports Sedan that Shouts Success All-New 2016 Scion iA Rolls Into New York With a Trunk - Brand's first-ever sedan with dramatically sporty look and agile moves - Estimated MSRP in the $16,000-range for well-equipped mono-spec model • High-spirited 1.5-liter engine; estimated 42 MPG highway - Choice of 6-speed stick shift or 6-speed automatic - Standard Low-speed Pre-collision safety system - Roomy cabin with premium amenities - 7-inch multimedia system with voice recognition NEW YORK, March 31, 2015 – Scion is expanding its line-up in more ways than one. In addition to adding a new vehicle to its stable, it's also adding its first-ever sedan, the remarkably sporty, yet very affordable, 2016 Scion iA. The Scion iA sedan joins the all-new 2016 Scion iM hatchback for a one-two punch in the subcompact and compact segments. The new sans-hatch Scion will arrive in dealerships this fall for an estimated MSRP in the $16,000-range. That's for a mono-spec model equipped with standard Low-speed Pre-collision safety system and 7-inch multi-media system with voice activation. Because Scion has a no hassle, no haggle Pure Price, customers walk out the door with the same price they saw posted in the dealership. "Dramatic" could be an understatement when describing the visual impact of the 2016 Scion iA. Beneath the daringly curved sheetmetal lies a tight, agile machine that re-defines "entry level." Call the design "class above," a term that applies throughout the car.

Toyota GT86 convertible could debut in March

The dates are lining up, now we wait to see how the badges align. Just before the Toyota GT 86/Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ line-up was introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show last year, there was a report that Subaru was considering a convertible while Toyota wouldn't even comment on it. That got swapped around when earlier this year the chief engineer on Toyota's side said a convertible was coming, and then a Scion FR-S droptop was confirmed for early 2014.
Autocar now reports that the Toyota GT 86 convertible will make its first appearance at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in March. In a car whose specs like weight, packaging, horsepower and center of gravity were all tightly controlled to get the most from the least, the changes necessitated by chopping the roof could make this a very different car. It's said to employ a fabric roof to keep a "small" weight gain check, and the suspension will be softened to work more harmoniously with the decreased body stiffness. And somewhere in all that the back seat and trunk space will need to take a hit.
In other news, Autocar says the hi-po GT 86 with some kind of capacitor system instead of batteries is being worked on for 2015.

Nissan exec Andy Palmer derides Toyobaru coupes as 'midlife crisis' cars

Andy Palmer, Nissan's executive vice president, does not like the Scion FR-S or Subaru BRZ. To us, that's like saying you enjoy barbecuing puppies, but we'll let him slide, because his statements about the Toyobaru twins are much, much more than just idle trash talk.
Speaking to Motor Trend's Nate Martinez, Palmer said, "Do we have any competitors [in the small, rear-drive coupe segment]? Are you talking about the Subaru [BRZ]? It was a car designed for a 50-year-old. It's for a midlife crisis. That's not what we do." Strong words, but what followed was even better.
"Are you coming to the Tokyo Motor Show? You'll see the answer to the midlife crisis. Except it won't be for the midlife crisis." So, if you were wondering whether Nissan is working on a competitor to the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ, the answer seems to be a resounding "yes."