2010 Scion Xb Base Wagon 5-door 2.4l on 2040-cars

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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."

2016 Scion iA arrives with price tag 'in the $16,000 range'

The adorkable iA, Scion's first sedan, is likely to appeal to a number of customers who value efficiency, affordability and equipment. And because the iA is essentially a rebadged Mazda2 there should be some pep in this little guy's step. If you're wondering why Mazda would build a car for Toyota, volume is a big reason. 1,003 Toyota dealers have a Scion store, more than one-and-a-half times as many franchises as Mazda, and that translates into higher production numbers. Ignoring the rather tragic grille, the rest of the iA is actually a handsome little four-door, which makes sense, considering the amount of Mazda blood coursing through its veins. One need only compare the shots of the Scion, shown above, and the leaked images of the Thai-market 2 sedan to see the similarity. The headlights and taillights are identical in shape and similar in overall design, while both cars share Mazda's expressive Kodo character lines in the profile. While the 2 is cute and brawny, the iA looks a little sullen, with its catfish-mouth grille drooping low in front of the sloping hood. It's a similar story in the cabin, where Mazda's work is plain to see. The dash is crowned by an ample, standard seven-inch display, which is in turn controlled by either touch or the excellent dial-and-buttons input also found in the Mazda3 and Mazda6. Toyota's Entune system is conspicuous by its absence. A trio of knobs control the HVAC system, while a section of faux leather, complete with stitching, separates the tactile controls from the main display. The instrument cluster is home to a single binnacle, housing the speedometer. A pair of secondary displays feature a tachometer and other ancillary information. Considering that the interior and exterior are almost unchanged from the Mazda2, it's no surprise that the 1.5-liter four-cylinder is also common to both cars. In the iA the lump under the hood makes 106 horsepower, while the Euro-market 2 comes in three flavors – 75 horsepower, 95 hp and 115 hp (with the i-ELOOP system). The 1.5 is paired with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. Following the theme, the iA's chassis is largely identical to the new 2's. The front suspension is of the MacPherson strut variety, while a torsion-beam axle sits out back with rear drum brakes. The steering assist is electric, which contributes at least partially to the 33-mile-per-gallon city rating and 42-mpg highway.

Scion's would-be savior C-HR spied before its Toyota rebadging

Scion is dead, but one of its future products, the C-HR concept, is still in development for launch as a Toyota. Toyota does a thorough job of hiding the C-HR's rakish shape on these test cars, but we can spot the concept's design cues. For example, the pointed nose and narrow headlights are present, and the giant box on the roof can't hide the downward arch for the coupe-like rear. The back doors on these examples look larger than before, which suggests a switch to a traditional five-door body rather than the hidden rear openings on the concept. The change would offer easier access to the backseat and make the C-HR a better competitor in the segment against vehicles like the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3, and Jeep Renegade. The C-HR debuted as a boldly styled three-door crossover at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. Toyota later restyled the CUV with a more angular shape and extra doors. We most recently saw the compact crossover with Scion branding at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. Rumors suggest the production model's debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and it could arrive at dealers in the latter half of 2016. The powertrain lineup likely consists of a four-cylinder engine with a CVT and possibly a hybrid version, too. You'll also get to see the C-HR on the track because Toyota will race the crossover in the 2016 Nurburgring 24 Hours. Related Video: