Scion tC


The Scion tC is a compact car manufactured by Toyota under its Scion brand from 2004 to 2016 over two generations: ANT10 and AGT20. Both generations were built in Japan. The tC was introduced first in the United States in 2005 and then, beginning with the second generation in 2010, in Canada as well. The tC was Scion's best-selling model, both overall and during most individual years when it was offered.
The name tC stands for "touring coupe." Beginning in 2011, the tC was sold as the Toyota Zelas in the Middle East, China and South America, a name derived from "", Italian for "passionate" or "zealous."

First generation (AT10; 2004–2010)

Toyota debuted the production tC at the January 2004 NAIAS with sales beginning in August 2004 as a 2005 model year. The tC is a spiritual successor to the Celica in order to appeal to the Millennial market. Toyota hoped to do so by making standard features numerous and optional features extremely easy to add as well as giving the car a sporty flair. The Scion tC shares its chassis with the Avensis and uses a MacPherson strut front and double wishbone rear suspension. Its low price is a major feature, as well as the pure "monospec" pricing marketing style that Toyota has adopted. This generation was not sold in Canada.
Standard equipment included power windows, cruise control, air conditioning, keyless entry, mirror-mounted turn signal lights, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, a 160-watt Pioneer sound system with CD player, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a panoramic moonroof.
The tC received a minor facelift in 2007 for the 2008 model year that included a revised grille and new head and taillights.
A bare-bones version of the Scion tC known as the Spec Package was offered without many of the standard accessories. The Scion tC Spec Package replaces the alloy wheels with steel wheels and seven spoke wheel covers. The glass roof is fixed in place and the steering wheel is made of urethane instead of wrapped leather and lacks stereo controls; cruise control is also not offered and many other minor interior and exterior changes. This model, which is meant to serve as a blank slate to the tuner market, was offered in only four colors: Super White, Flint Mica, Black Sand Pearl and Classic Silver Metallic. MSRP was $1,400 less than the standard model. The Spec Package was discontinued for the 2009 model year.
The model was Scion's best seller, reaching over 79,125 units sold in 2006, but the car's sales quickly dwindled by 2010, only moving 15,204 units. A 2nd generation was released for the 2011 model year.
Car and Driver praised the 2005 tC for its list of accessories but criticized its low headroom in the backseat and limited cargo room.

Specifications

crash test ratings
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Scion tC an "Acceptable" overall score in both the frontal offset and side impact crash tests.
All Scion tCs come standard with 4-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock brakes. For 2008 models, front seat-mounted side torso airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags, and a driver's knee airbag became standard. Front passenger classification was also added, allowing dual stage control of airbag release dependent upon the weight of the passenger. Vehicle Stability Control is not offered.

Second generation (AT20; 2010–2016)

2011–2013

The replacement model debuted at the April 2010 New York Auto Show, and appeared in U.S. dealerships in October 2010. It received a performance bump; with the new engine being carried over from the Toyota Camry being a 2.5 liter I4 2AR-FE engine producing and. Like the first generation, the chassis remained a variant of the Toyota Avensis, the model using the third generation chassis. Visually, the second generation is a toned-down variant of the Scion Fuse concept, featuring a similar rear quarter-panel window line to the concept but with xB-styled blacked-out A-pillars. The headlights, taillights and grille received a makeover to make the car seem more muscular and angular. It continued to receive very high safety marks, an all-glass roof, roomy interior, and a hatchback design. Other changes included a wider track, standard wheels, larger brake discs, faster engine, six speed transmission, and a performance-tuned electric power steering system. The Scion tC now comes standard with Vehicle Stability Control. A TRD Supercharger was originally offered for the car as well as a special body kit by FiveAxis but both have since been discontinued. The tC remained popular in the tuner market, with many aftermarket performance upgrades still being available. This model is available in the videogame Forza Motorsport 5 featuring the body kit.

Toyota Zelas

At the 2010 Abu Dhabi Motor Show, the Scion tC was introduced for sale in the Middle East under the Toyota Zelas nameplate, with an aggressive body kit not featured on the Scion tC.

2014–2016

Initial sales of the second generation tC fell short of expectations, and to coincide with the launch of the Scion FR-S, the tC received a facelift for the 2014 model year. Inspired by the design of the FR-S, the 2014 tC received updated headlamps, grille, LED taillights, 18-inch alloy rims, body kit, a sport-tuned suspension, reworked faster shifting transmission, sport-tuned shocks, and a new touch screen audio system standard. For the first model year, Scion offered a Series 10 anniversary edition of the ten-year anniversary of the brand, limited to 3500 units. It included a new silver color, silver seat belts, a solar-powered illuminated shift knob, an LED Scion locator badge that lights up when the car is unlocked and a sequentially numbered interior badge. For the 2016 model year, the tC received some minor changes, such as a standard rear windshield wiper, new silver interior door handles, center console tray cover, and a leather-wrapped shift knob, the latter of which was formerly an optional upgrade.
The tC ended production in August 2016 after a final release edition as part of the phasing out of Scion brand. At 29, the tC sports coupe had the lowest-average age buyer in the industry according to Toyota.

Specifications


ModelEnginePower@rpmTorque@rpmTransmission0-60 mph 1/4 mileEPA fuel economy ratingsWeightFuel tankTire size
Scion tC2.5 L 2AR-FE I4 @ 6000 rpm @ 4100 rpm6-speed manual transmission6.5s15.1s @ 92.4 mph city / hwy -225/45R18
Scion tC2.5 L 2AR-FE I4 @ 6000 rpm @ 4100 rpm6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode7.4s15.8s @ 88 mph city / hwy - 225/45R18
Toyota Zelas2.5 L 2AR-FE I4 @ 6000 rpm @ 4100 rpm6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode7.4s15.8s @ 88 mph city / hwy -215/50R17

Safety

crash test ratings
Moderate overlap frontal offsetGood
Small overlap frontal offsetAcceptable
Side impactGood
Roof strengthGood

Toyota Racing Development (TRD)

Similar to many other models of Toyota/Lexus/Scion, there are many upgrades available through the in house tuning shop Toyota Racing Development. Currently TRD produces performance parts such as lowering springs and racing struts, full coilover suspension systems, performance brake kits, rear sway bars, front strut tower bars, limited-slip differentials, upgraded clutches, axle-back exhausts and cold-air intakes for the Scion tC. Other cosmetic accessories such as TRD branded valve covers and oil caps are also offered.
TRD also offered a supercharger which is a rebadged Vortech supercharger that is capable of putting out, although when installed by a dealership and under warranty it is set at. Starting in 2008, Scion began making the supercharger with tamper-proof pulleys. As of mid-2009, TRD discontinued production of superchargers for the Scion tC.

Release Series line

Scion used a simplified "pure price" sales model that eschewed traditional factory options in favor of fixed base-vehicle pricing and buyer customization via dealer-installed accessories; hence, the tC was offered in a single standard trim, with exterior colors and the choice of transmission typically being the only factory options. However, some limited-production special editions with added factory equipment and exclusive colors were offered. Beginning in late spring 2004, Scion launched the Release Series line, limited quantities of their current vehicles pre-packaged with individual numbered badging, exclusive accessories, and other special features. Their exterior colors were bright hues.
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
The tC immediately became Scion's most popular model, representing almost half of the brand's sales in its peak years from 2005 to 2007, before being eclipsed by the redesigned xB in 2008. On release of the second-generation model, Scion hoped to sell 40,000–60,000 units annually once the economy recovered, but actual sales fell well short of this figure; analysts believe that sales were cannibalized by the similar FR-S. Despite the decline, the tC reclaimed and held its sales lead in the Scion lineup in 2011; it was ultimately the all-time best-selling Scion, constituting almost 40% of total Scion sales from 2004 through 2015, the brand's last full year before being amalgamated into Toyota.
Calendar YearUS Sales
200428,062
200574,415
200679,125
200763,852
200840,980
200917,998
201015,204
201122,433
201222,666
201319,094
201417,947
201516,459
20169,336

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