2004 Scion Xa Base Hatchback 5-door 1.5l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Scion previews new iA sedan, iM hatch ahead of New York debut

Scion is preparing to revitalize its lineup with the debut of not one, but two new models at the upcoming New York Auto Show next month. That much we already knew, but now Toyota's more youthful counterpart has revealed teaser images of both. In one corner will be the Scion iM, a hatchback previewed in concept form at the 2014 LA Auto Show and based closely on the European-market Toyota Auris. In the other will be the Scion iA, which will be the brand's first proper sedan with an actual trunk instead of a liftgate. Though we'd generally call hatchbacks more practical than trunked sedans, Scion says the four-door iA will be more practical than the iM hatchback, and will be more aggressively styled as well. We'll have to wait a little longer to find out additional details, but Scion promises to reveal both at the end of this month before they make their live debuts in Manhattan. Related Video: Scion's Double-Take at New York International Auto Show World Debuts of Scion iM 5-door hatchback and Scion iA sedan March 18, 2015 TORRANCE, Calif., March 18, 2015 – One look at Scion won't be enough for guests attending the New York International Auto Show. It will take two looks (or more) to see the World Debuts from Scion. Both the Scion iM and the newly named Scion iA will be revealed on the eve of the show, March 31, 2015. The Scion iM is a 5-door hatchback that combines maximum versatility with a sporty design and a fun-to-drive experience. Meanwhile the Scion iA sedan is designed to appeal to young people who need a little more practicality, but still want engaging styling and outstanding driving dynamics. The "i" in the models' names can stand for intriguing, individual, and easy on customers' income. The "M" reflects the hatchback's modern style and multi-faceted uses. Meanwhile the "A" for the sedan denotes the accommodating trunk and the aggressive styling. "We've been eagerly waiting for this moment and are excited to introduce our new Scions in New York," said Scion Group Vice President Doug Murtha. "Both the iM and the iA are tremendous additions to our line-up and will appeal to young people with different perspectives and needs. These cars represent the evolution of Scion and are kicking off a new wave of momentum for the brand." About Scion Scion continues to be the test laboratory division for Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. From its start in 2003, Scion's goal was to offer products and processes that stand apart from the crowd.

2016 Scion iM First Drive

The 2016 Scion iM can't launch soon enough. It's a fully competitive, well-rounded hatchback. It's functional. It's cute. And it's priced under $20,000. But perhaps more importantly, the iM represents a big breath of life into the increasingly less relevant Scion brand. In 2006, Scion moved 173,034 cars in the United States with only three models – the xA, xB, and tC. Fast forward to 2014, Scion moved just 58,009 units in our market, and that's with a five-car lineup. Yes, the original, boxy xB posted better sales numbers all by itself in 2006 than the entire Scion range did in 2014. Midway through 2015, the situation is worse. Scion sold 21,093 units through the end of May, compared to 26,024 during the same period in 2014. The iQ is dead. The xB and xD are on their way out. Now more than ever, Scion desperately needs fresh metal in its showrooms. Enter the iM and, to a lesser extent, the 2016 iA sedan that arrives at the same time. The iM is a more conventional Scion. But that's a good thing. The automaker recognizes that it needs cars that more appropriately play in the mainstream in order to attract a broader spectrum of customers. As such, the iM is sized to fit in with other C-segment hatchbacks. At 170.5 inches long, 69.3 inches wide, and 55.3 inches tall the Scion is longer than a Volkswagen Golf, but slightly narrower and shorter. Scion loads the iM up with a good amount of standard equipment. Like Scion's past offerings, the car only comes one way. Every iM starts as the car you see here (well, except for color), with 17-inch wheels and a body kit that's more sporty than conservative. It looks tacked-on, though – think last-generation Corolla S. Still, on the road, the iM is handsome, and looks good in brighter, more vibrant colors. It's not as sculpted or pretty as a Mazda3 or Ford Focus, but the iM isn't a bland, uninspired two-box shape. And if it looks familiar to your eyes, that's because it already exists as the Toyota Auris overseas. With only one spec on offer, Scion loads the iM up with a good amount of standard equipment. Every iM rolls off the line with dual-zone, automatic climate control, auto-on/off headlamps, and a seven-inch touchscreen display for the Pioneer audio and Toyota Entune-based infotainment system. That's all well and good, but it also means there are no major upgrades available. You can't get a sunroof or xenon headlamps. Same goes for leather upholstery. Don't even think about heated seats.

Weekly Recap: GM scales back as Russian auto market teeters

General Motors' extensive plans to scale back its Russian operations are the latest sign the automotive market in the former superpower is collapsing – and there are few signs of recovery. GM said Wednesday it will stop selling mainstream Chevrolets and shutter the entire Opel brand in Russia. The moves leave GM with a luxury-focused presence consisting of Cadillac and Chevrolet's Corvette, Camaro and Tahoe. The cutbacks will be completed by the end of the year. The automaker will also idle its factory in St. Petersburg and end a contract-assembly agreement with Russian manufacturer GAZ. "We had to take decisive action in Russia to protect our business," Opel Group CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann said in a statement. "We confirm our outlook to return the European business to profitability in 2016 and stick to our long-term goals." GM is the latest automaker to scale back in Russia as the economic conditions, volatile currency and uncertainty over the conflict in the Ukraine all have sandbagged new car sales. Last month, vehicle sales collapsed 38 percent in Russia to 128,298 units, according to the Association of European Business, which records sales. Joerg Schreiber, chairman of the AEB automobile manufacturers committee, didn't even feign optimism in a statement announcing the figures. "The market is entering a very difficult phase now, and February is only the beginning," he said. "Industry sentiment is the next few months will be extremely difficult and the market bottom has yet to be found." The dovetails with industry experts, who predict the Russian auto sector will remain in the doldrums. IHS said earlier this year it expects Russia's sales to slip to just 1.8 million units in 2015, which is a 40-percent drop from 2012. Other News & Notes Chief leads Jeep's Easter Safari stable Jeep is bringing seven attention-getting concepts to Moab for its annual Easter Safari off-roading celebration in Utah, but the Chief is perhaps the standout of the group. It salutes the 1970s Cherokee with a throwback appearance and surfer styling cues. The Chief has a custom modified razor grille made famous by the Wagoneer, and it rolls on 17-inch slotted mag wheels. The surf theme comes in with ocean blue paint, floral cloth and leather seats and a tiki-style shifter handle. Based on the Jeep Wrangler, the Chief has removable sides, a 3.6-liter V6 engine and a six-speed manual gearbox.