Rabu, 17 Maret 2010

Scion xB restyled and repriced for 2011

2011 Scion xB - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Scion brand's poster car, the boxy xB, gets a freshened face for the 2011 model year, as well as some minor interior upgrades. Overall, the changes give the exterior a more aggressive appearance econobox - a good thing, since the second-generation xB was not appealing to the young, hipster crowd nearly as much as the automaker would have Hoped. (We much prefer the first-generation car, for what it's worth.)

Up front, the revised fascia features slightly redesigned headlamps, as well as a honeycomb grille and larger outer vents on the bumper. Around back, the single rear backup lamp has been integrated into the taillamps, Which cleans up the car's back end rather nicely. Other cosmetic changes include the addition of two new metallic paint colors - Army Rock and Elusive Blue.

Moving inside, the xB's front seats have been given more bolstering for better overall comfort and support. Additionally, a new center console has been added that offers better storage solutions, as well as a sliding armrest, and the steering wheel now offers with both tilt and telescope adjustments (a simple feature that we wish were standard done on every make and model) .

Pricing for the new xB starts at $ 16,000 for the manual transmission model and $ 16,950 if you prefer a conventional automatic - increases of $ 150 over the 2010 car. The 2011 xB will make its way to a Scion dealer near you later this month. Hit the jump to read Toyota's official press release, attached and click through our gallery to see dozens of high-res shots of the new xB.

Selasa, 09 Maret 2010

Toyota Remembers its Past as it... Accelerates into the Future with FT-86 Coupe


Knowing that "the past is only the future with the lights turned on", Toyota hopes to learn from its mistakes and take only the best from its times of yore and apply the lessons to its future products like the highly anticipated production version of the FT-86 concept study.

Or at least that's what the troubled Japanese automaker wants us to believe with the release of this family portrait that places the FT-86 (Future Toyota-86) Sports Concept alongside its closest relative, the Corolla AE86 as well as the Celica and Supra sport coupes.

The FT-86 study, which was designed at Toyota's ED2 studio in Nice, France, had its European premier this week at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

The compact sized coupe measures that 4,160mm long, 1,760mm wide and 1,260mm tall, with a 2,570mm wheelbase, is being co-developed with Subaru that will also present its own variant of the 2+2 seater sports model.

As a reminder of Subaru's involvement in the project, the near production-ready FT-86 prototype uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine from the Impreza while power is sent to the rear-wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. The study rides on 19-inch wheels shod with 225/40R19 tires.

According to Toyota, the FT-86 is scheduled to be launched into the market towards the end of 2011 with Subaru's variant to follow later on.


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