Report: Scion xB being replaced by Auris, iQ axed after this year

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by kimona

Here are a couple of photos of the Auris hatchback. I really like this car.

I agree. It has some of the styling cues that I like in the Versa Note, but it's better looking than the Note.

[why?]

If I was Toyota I wouldn't even put out a new Yaris, I'd just make it the Scion. Dealers are not interested in selling Yaris, maybe as a Scion with less models they would get some sales.

[Superfly]

Originally Posted by why?

If I was Toyota I wouldn't even put out a new Yaris, I'd just make it the Scion. Dealers are not interested in selling Yaris, maybe as a Scion with less models they would get some sales.

Toyota not only needs to drop the Yaris and give it to Scion, but the entire platform needs to change. Either reduce the dimensions, add some sort of performance or off-road element, drop the top and turn it into a convertible or "hybrid-ize" the vehicle (which probably won't happen due to the Prius C). A Yaris rebadged as a Scion will suffer low numbers and really be uneconomical for TMC if there is a slightly larger Scion Corolla hatch. The only other solution is to strip it and make the MSRP dirt cheap. Personally, I would like to see the dimensions shrink a few inches, add boxy sheet metal and a 4x4 system and turn it into a Fiat Panda or Suzuki Sidekick. No one comes close to having a similar vehicle in the US right now.

[Astroman]

Agreed, they really need to offer a performance or varied type option on the yaris. Mini has the S (a real sport model, not like what toyota did) Fiat has the Arbath, Dodge has the SRT. Even mini now offers the countryman, coupe, etc.

I love my yaris, but wish Toyota would offer a true sport version like other manufactures.

[Kar98]

Originally Posted by Superfly

...reduce the dimensions...

It already is right there bordering on the painful, and actually is painful on longer drives. Just barely tolerable in the city. Any smaller in driver's leg and elbow room and wheelbase and I might as well cram my butt into a Little Tikes Cozy Coupe.

I would like to see the dimensions shrink a few inches

Are you an actual "little person"? ;)

[why?]

I really would like them to drop the Yaris, and come out with a successor to the first gen MR2. Something nice and tiny and rwd, but big enough on the inside for anyone to fit, a la the Fiero, that car had absolutely tons of interior space. Make it nice and simple and as generic as possible inside, but with the ability to easily swap in parts from more expensive cars, like the BRZ, tC, etc.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Kar98

It already is right there bordering on the painful, and actually is painful on longer drives. Just barely tolerable in the city. Any smaller in driver's leg and elbow room and wheelbase and I might as well cram my butt into a Little Tikes Cozy Coupe.



Are you an actual "little person"? ;)

I guess it's all how one's body 'folds'. I've shrunk a fraction of an inch, so I'm now somewhere between 6'3" and 6'4". However, I 'sit tall' (have shorter legs) and don't have any 'fitment' issues re my Yaris.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Superfly

strip it and make the MSRP dirt cheap.

.....Actually, once CTScott takes delivery of his Countryman ALL4, he will (IMO) have the best of both worlds for his terrain and climate......a 2nd Gen Yaris (that probably doesn't have a ton of miles on it) as a money saving daily driver, and the Countryman for ALMOST* everything else.

(* - his pickup = better for towing ChinoCharles' former Yaris than the Countryman would be )

Personally, I would like to see the dimensions shrink a few inches, add boxy sheet metal and a 4x4 system and turn it into a Fiat Panda or Suzuki Sidekick. No one comes close to having a similar vehicle in the US right now.

My cousin used to have a Suzuki Sidekick. Great re toting her dog around, heading to the mountains, hauling art, etc. She had a Saab 900 convertible after that. Great, but not quite as versatile as the Sidekick. Then came the little one...and it was on to a new Ford Escape.

[Superfly]

Originally Posted by Kar98

It already is right there bordering on the painful, and actually is painful on longer drives. Just barely tolerable in the city. Any smaller in driver's leg and elbow room and wheelbase and I might as well cram my butt into a Little Tikes Cozy Coupe.



Are you an actual "little person"? ;)

Can a 6' tall dude feel like a little person on the inside?

No, my rational being that the Corolla is really not much larger and has more offerings and incentives. It seems like the two are fighting for the same share of customers. Why not shrink the Yaris so that it competes more with the A segment cars? That way Toyota has a small, urban commuter and then the Corolla or the Prius C as their standard compacts.

[Superfly]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

My cousin used to have a Suzuki Sidekick. Great re toting her dog around, heading to the mountains, hauling art, etc. She had a Saab 900 convertible after that. Great, but not quite as versatile as the Sidekick. Then came the little one...and it was on to a new Ford Escape.

God I miss the Sidekick. My buddy and I used to cruise in his during high school. It was the perfect rugged runabout for us in the North. It tackled snow like a champ and could still hold all our crap including last minute groceries or camping gear. I really wish something similar was on the market. I saw the Mini's but I know their reliability is horrendous for turbos and that seems to be all they are offering on their new line-up.

[Synyster]

Scion is becoming new Saturn. First build unique vehicles, then try to build a pricey sports car (Sky - FR-S) and then start re-badging European cars. Hopefully Scion won't end up like Saturn did.

[fnkngrv]

Originally Posted by Synyster

Scion is becoming new Saturn. First build unique vehicles, then try to build a pricey sports car (Sky - FR-S) and then start re-badging European cars. Hopefully Scion won't end up like Saturn did.

It very well may just do that. Honestly I am about tired of not only Toyota USA, but their global mindset in general. Constantly rebadging crap, not bringing the models to N.A. that could really have folks enjoying driving a compact or smaller car. Also their anemic mills being used for 20 years. Their strategy in the US especially is totally hosed. Just look at the 2015 Taco! This CAFE BS is causing all kinds of havoc. About the only thing that I can think is that they are biding their time for their big push with alternative fueled vehicles like their fuel cell car.

/rant

[Freestylin]

Here it is guys. This is the so-called North American version of the Toyota Auris, the Scion IM. IMO, I think it looks decent with the Lexus CT200h side profile and subaru front end.

Link: http://www.scion.com/concept_cars/iM/#image=Profile

[SilverBack]

Looks like an attempt by Toyota to milk the design of the 3rd gen. Impreza wagon and mix-in a little FR-S. However, I like how they're pushing themselves further away from their original boxy toaster design. I kind of like it.

It might also be an attempt to lure back those former young and single Scion owners at time the company was first introduced, which might explain the family-wagon concept lol.

[Thirty-Nine]

Originally Posted by SilverBack

Looks like an attempt by Toyota to milk the design of the 3rd gen. Impreza wagon and mix-in a little FR-S. However, I like how they're pushing themselves further away from their original boxy toaster design. I kind of like it.

I'm the exact opposite. Scion had a heck of a thing going with the little xB. The further and further away from this idea they've gone, the worse sales have become. They should've just imported the second-gen bB from Japan and kept on being king of the cool subcompacts. The photos that have been posted are the iM concept. you can rest assured it won't nearly as sporty as this. It'll essentially be a Corolla wagon.

It might also be an attempt to lure back those former young and single Scion owners at time the company was first introduced, which might explain the family-wagon concept lol.

I don't think they'll be luring very many young buyers in with this. Sorry; I really don't. I'm all for the success of Scion, but I think the iM isn't going to do much to make Scion an exciting brand.

Personally, I'd have them return to their roots. Small, funky, frugal cars that are totally different in a good way. It worked once ...

[kimona]

I think Toyota's Scion brand has completely lost its original focus, and it probably should go the way of Saturn.

I wish Toyota would simply introduce the Toyota Corolla Auris in its present form as the Corolla hatchback. I'd buy one.

[CrankyOldMan]

Originally Posted by kimona

I wish Toyota would simply introduce the Toyota Corolla Auris in its present form as the Corolla hatchback. I'd buy one.

Agreed. Or offer the 1.8 L variants of the Yaris...

[SilverBack]

Originally Posted by Thirty-Nine

I'm the exact opposite. Scion had a heck of a thing going with the little xB. The further and further away from this idea they've gone, the worse sales have become. They should've just imported the second-gen bB from Japan and kept on being king of the cool subcompacts. The photos that have been posted are the iM concept. you can rest assured it won't nearly as sporty as this. It'll essentially be a Corolla wagon.

I don't think I explained my view clearly enough. Yes I agree their original xA and xB was something interesting in terms of shape and size, but I guess what turned me away from the boxy design is how some of it spilled into the second gen. tC. I just like the curvier and simpler first gen. design over the boxy, sharp-angles on the second gen. coupe, let alone a wagon IMO.

Originally Posted by Thirty-Nine

I don't think they'll be luring very many young buyers in with this. Sorry; I really don't. I'm all for the success of Scion, but I think the iM isn't going to do much to make Scion an exciting brand.

Personally, I'd have them return to their roots. Small, funky, frugal cars that are totally different in a good way. It worked once ...

What I meant was they might be looking to age with the earliest owners within their demographics. Example: 20-something-guy buys an xA or XB in 2003, simply because he thinks it's cool to have one of these. Flash-forward to 2015 (or other year the iM debuts): He's in his 30's now and likely married with thoughts of kids, hence the wagon. That's just the way I see it anyway.