SCION XB

The 'Scion xB' is a vehicle made by Toyota for the United States market and sold under their youth-oriented Scion brand. It is a box-shaped, 5-door compact hatchback. Scions are not sold in Canada. They are not sold in Japan, though a similar Toyota model is sold in that country.

Contents

First Generation

First-generation xB vs. First-generation bB

Second Generation

Scion marketing

Release series vehicles

Trivia

References

External links

First Generation

The first-generation xB was a rebadged subcompact Toyota bB. It is a small wagon based on the Toyota Echo/Yaris platform. The xB was one of two models in the lineup of Toyota's US-exclusive Scion division present at the brand's 2004 launch (the other was the xA, based on the Toyota ist). Both cars feature the 1NZ-FE engine, rated at 108 hp (81 kW) at 6000 rpm and 105 lb-ft of torque at 4200 rpm.

First-generation xB vs. First-generation bB

Only the first generation models for both the xB and bB are related.
Besides the obvious change from right to left-hand drive, the front passenger area has changed significantly. The bB has a front bench seat and a column-mounted shifter for the automatic transmission. The xB, on the other hand, has 2 front bucket seats and a shifter mounted on the floor.
The available drivetrains also differ. The bB is available with either the 1.3 L 2NZ-FE engine or the 1.5 L 1NZ-FE, mated exclusively to a 4-speed automatic transmission with available all wheel drive. The xB is only available with the 1NZ-FE, but offers both a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission. All-wheel drive is not offered on the xB.
The Toyota bB has a temporary spare tire stored under the rear cargo floor. On the Scion xB, a compact spare tire is stored under the left side of the rear cargo floor. Since the spare tire raised the cargo floor by several inches, a storage compartment was added to the right of the spare tire to reclaim some of the lost storage space. A jack is stored under the driver's seat of the xB.
The Toyota bB has a pull-out storage tray under the passenger seat.
The bB was launched in 2000 while the xB was launched in 2004.

Second Generation

Toyota unveiled the second-xB at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show. Larger than the previous xB, the new xB is more rounded in shape and is styled as a 5-door version of the t2B concept unveiled the year before at the 2006 New York Auto Show. The 2008 xB is 3" wider and 1' longer (including 4" longer wheel to wheel) than the current xB.
The second-generation xB is powered by a 2.4L engine shared with the tC and the Camry. The vehicle will have features standard in the 2006 xB, including VSC, ABS, and others. Six airbags come standard, as well as Cruise Control.
A choice from three new head units will be available on all 2008 Scions. All sound systems feature six speakers and standard iPod connectivity. The base head unit has 10 changeable backlit colors, MP3, WMA, and AAC CD compatibility, and Scion's SSP equalizer presets. The Premium head unit features a small LCD that can display pictures and movies downloaded from Pioneer's website in addition to the features on the base unit. A navigation system will also be available. The SNS 100 system can play DVD movies in addition to GPS functionality and the features of the base system, aside from the backlit color choices.
A five-speed manual and a sequential-shift four-speed automatic will be the only factory options aside from the color and stereo. It should be noted that the new Scion xB is over 600 pounds heavier than the last and marks a serious departure from the character of the old car. The second-generation Scion xB is not a rebadged Toyota bB like the first-generation model, but instead will be sold in Japan under the Toyota Corolla family as the Corolla Lumino.
Car And Driver magazine rated the 2008 xB as one of the top ten safe vehicles under $25,000 [1]

Scion marketing

The Scion xB's marketing is aimed at Generation Y, Americans born between 1978 and 1990. This group of car buyers is extremely important to manufacturers due to their large numbers (78 million) and their differing perceptions and demands of the vehicles they drive.[2]
Although Toyota expected the xA to sell better than the xB, the reverse proved to be true, with the xB outselling its brother 2 to 1, possibly due to the xB's distinctive styling, and the xB's unique combination of van-like cargo and passenger space with a very compact size.[3]
The xB, like the xA and tC, was also available in a "Release Series" for each of its model years. These came with limited-edition paint jobs, matching seat colors, and special modifications like DVD players, custom tail lights, special hubcaps/rims, and other accessories, along with special badging indicating the serial number. Limited Edition vehicles from a marketing standpoint were used to create a buzz for the brand name, with their often exterior colors tending to be loud or bright hues (i.e. orange, yellow, red, blue, green). Because of the growing popularity of the Scion product line and the small production runs (most dealers only get two or three of each RS model), these limited edition vehicles quickly sell out. Preordering is available at each dealership on a first-come, first-served basis. To the customers benefit, Scion's "Pure Price" MSRP binds dealerships against market-demand vehicle mark-up. Naturally, resale values of Release Series vehicles command a premium because of their packaged options and scarcity.

Release series vehicles

'2004'
'xB RS 1.0' only available in Hot Lava Orange with 2100 units produced (504 units w/5spd, 1596 units w/automatic)
'2005'
'xB RS 2.0' only available in Solar Yellow with 2500 units produced
'2006'
'xB RS 3.0' only available in Envy Green with 2200 units produced
'2006'
'xB RS 4.0' only available in Maziora Torched Penny (polarized goldish-brown) with 2500 units produced

Trivia

★ Ray Magliozzi of NPR's ''Car Talk'' speaks well of the xB (as well as other Scions) when callers ask about cars to buy; he humorously refers to it as a "bread truck".

★ In late 2006 Circuit City chose the Scion xB as fleet vehicle for their Firedog technology-assistance program.

★ A group in Charlottesville, Virginia know as Team Jefferson, have developed an autonomous self-driving Scion xB for the DARPA Urban Challenge.

★ The car has been nicknamed "The Toaster" ^[2]

★ The car was featured in an episode of Pimp my ride, as a replacement for another car.

★ In the movie Cars, the street racer DJ, is believed to be a Scion xB.

References

1. EPA information on 2006 Scion xB (includes fuel economy, size class, and other information)
2. http://www.epinions.com/content_216265494148

2. Mark Templin, Scion VP, February 7, 2008 dealer introduction.

External links

★ Scion xB official webpage

★ Scion Puerto Rico official webpage