The Scion tC and subsequent Toyota Zelas, is a sport compact coupe manufactured by Toyota from 2004 to 2016 over two generations: ANT10 (2004-2010) and AGT20 (2011-2016). Both generations were built in Japan and exclusive to Toyota North American Scion dealerships. 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 is considered the spiritual successor to the Toyota Celica, made to appeal to the millennial market in the US. The name tC stands for "touring coupe." Beginning in 2011, the tC is sold as the Toyota Zelas in the Middle East, China and South America, a name derived from "zelante", Italian for "passionate" or "zealous."
First generation
Toyota debuted the production tC at the January 2004 NAIAS with sales beginning in June 2004 as a 2005 model year. The Scion tC is a spiritual successor to the Toyota 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 (base MSRP of US$17,670 for the 2009 model with manual transmission) 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 17-inch (430Â mm) alloy wheels with 16-inch (410Â mm) 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 it for low headroom in the backseat and low cargo room.
Specifications
- Engine: 2.4Â L Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) 16-valve 4-cylinder with VVT-i, compression ratio of 9.6:1 for the 2005/06 models and 9.8:1 for 2007-2010.
- Displacement: 2362 cc
- Power: 161Â hp (120Â kW) @ 6000 rpm (2007MY+) / 160Â hp (119Â kW) @ 5700 rpm (2005-06MY)
- Torque: 162 lb·ft (220 N·m) @ 4000rpm (2007MY+) / 163 lb·ft (221 N·m) @ 4000 rpm (2005-06MY)
- 200 hp (149 kW) / 185 lb·ft (251 N·m) with TRD Supercharger
- Transmission: Standard 5-speed manual transmission or optional 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission (2008-2010 automatic transmissions are labeled as "4 speed sequential" transmission in the Scion brochure)
- Curb weight: 2,970Â lb (1,350Â kg) (automatic); 2,905Â lb (1,318Â kg) (manual)
- Fuel tank: 14.5 US gal (55 L; 12 imp gal)
- EPA ratings for manual transmission: 20 mpgâ€'US (12 L/100 km; 24 mpgâ€'imp) city / 27 mpgâ€'US (8.7 L/100 km; 32 mpgâ€'imp) hwy (2007MY+); 19 mpgâ€'US (12 L/100 km; 23 mpgâ€'imp) city / 27 mpgâ€'US (8.7 L/100 km; 32 mpgâ€'imp) hwy (2005/06)
- EPA ratings for automatic transmission: 21 mpgâ€'US (11 L/100 km; 25 mpgâ€'imp) city / 29 mpgâ€'US (8.1 L/100 km; 35 mpgâ€'imp) hwy (2007MY+); 20 mpgâ€'US (12 L/100 km; 24 mpgâ€'imp) city / 27 mpgâ€'US (8.7 L/100 km; 32 mpgâ€'imp) hwy (2005/06)
- Performance
- 0-60Â mph 7.4sec.
- 1/4 mile (~400 m) 15.6 s @ 89.9Â mph (144.7Â km/h)
- 1/4 mile (~400 m) 14.2 (TRD Supercharger)
Safety
NHTSA crash test ratings (2006)
- Frontal Crash Test - Driver:
- Frontal Crash Test - Passenger:
- Side Impact Rating -
- Side Impact Rating - Rear:
- Rollover Rating:
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) 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
2011â€"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 180 hp (130 kW) and 174 lb·ft (236 N·m). 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 18-inch (460 mm) 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 special FiveAxis body kit was offered for the car originally; however the TRD Supercharger is no longer available. 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.
2014â€"2016
Sales of the second generation tC did not reach as high as Scion were expecting 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
Safety
NHTSA crash test ratings (2011)
- Frontal Impact - Driver:
- Frontal Impact - Passenger:
- Side Impact - Driver:
- Side Impact - Rear Passenger:
- Side Pole - Driver:
- Rollover Rating -
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 (TRD). 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 20Â psi (1.4Â bar), although when installed by a dealership and under warranty it is set at 6Â psi (0.4Â bar). Starting in 2008, Scion began making the supercharger with tamper-proof pulleys. As of mid-2009, TRD has discontinued production of superchargers for the Scion tC.
Release Series line
Beginning in late spring 2004, Scion launched the Release Series (RS) 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 (i.e. orange, yellow, red, blue, green).
2005
- tC RS 1.0 only available in Absolutely Red with 2,500 units produced
2006
- tC RS 2.0 only available in Blue Blitz Mica with 2,600 units produced
2007
- tC RS 3.0 only available in Blizzard Pearl with 2,500 units produced
2008
- tC RS 4.0 only available in Galactic Gray Mica with 2,300 units produced
2009
- tC RS 5.0 only available in Gloss Black with 2,000 units produced
2010
- tC RS 6.0 only available in Speedway Blue with 1,100 units produced
2012
- tC RS 7.0 only available in High Voltage Yellow with 2,200 units produced
2013
- tC RS 8.0 only available in Absolutely Red with 2,000 units produced
2015
- tC RS 9.0 only available in Two Tone Magma Orange and Gloss Black with 2,000 units produced
2016
- tC RS 10.0 only available in Barcelona Red with 1,200 units produced
Sales
In terms of sales, the Scion tC was once Scion's most popular model and from 2005 to 2007 accounted for almost half of all cars sold under Scion. Its best selling year was 2006.
Motorsports
- With the demise of the Toyota Celica, the Scion tC was used for the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race held during the Long Beach Grand Prix from 2006 to 2012, when it was replaced with the FR-S.
- There are several tCs in drag racing. Kenny Tran Jotech Motorsports, Leslie Armendariz Horizon Motorsports, Christian Rado World Racing, and Gary White (formerly Brad Personett)Titan Motorsports. Kenny Tran has been competing in the NHRA Sport Compact drag racing series hotrod class where he garnered the 2007 championship. Kenny cut his fastest run with 7.91 ET @ 184Â mph (296Â km/h) during a NHRA race at Pomona Raceway. In 2007 and 2008, the Jotech Motorsports team won back-to-back Pro Import Class titles of the Battle Of The Imports drag series. Leslie Armendariz's All-Motor Scion tC pushed a record setting 9.34 @ 143Â mph (230Â km/h). Christian Rado claimed 2nd place in the Pro FWD class of the 2008 BOTI nationals, he also later claimed a victory with the first FWD car to pass the seven second mark in a quarter mile with a blistering time of 6.97 seconds. Gary White won second place in the Extreme 10.5" class of the ADRL Battle of the Belts World Finals.
- A 2011 tC was entered for the Formula Drift season in 2011 and is driven by Fredric Aasbo for Team Need For Speed. The 2AR-FE engine, being 2.5 liters was bumped up to 2.7 liters for over 500Â hp.
- For the 2008 Formula Drift year, RS*R converted a Scion tC to rear wheel drive. This was done by taking a Toyota Avensis chassis (which the Scion tC is based on, originally an AWD platform) and converted it into RWD. The car was powered by a tuned BEAMS 3S-GE engine. Ken Gushi previously competed with this vehicle. After talks with team mate Christian Rado, Ken Gushi switched back to the factory 2AZ-FE engine, for the 2010 Formula Drift season. Ken Gushi stated "Chris Rado, my Scion Team mate who runs his famous record tearing Scion tC uses the same base motor (of course for a different application) has proven this motor to withstand numbers up to 900hp, possibly even more." Ken Gushi's tC is now pushing 790Â hp.
- For the 2009/10 Formula Drift seasons, Tanner Foust competed using a Rockstar, AEM and Toyo Tire sponsored Scion tC converted to RWD, built by Papadakis Racing. It was powered by a TRD (Toyota Racing Development) built V8 taken from a former TRD Busch Series NASCAR stocker.
- For the 2008 KONI Challenge season, Dan Gardner and Craig Stanton drove a Scion tC in the Street Tuner (ST) Class. This marked Scion's world-first professional start in road racing, and the team led the race for a period of time in a 50+ car field.
- For 2009, a Supercharged tC driven by team owner Dan Gardner was entered in the SCCA World Challenge Touring Car 2 (TC2) class. Scott Webb drove the car to victory, bringing Scion home their first-ever professional win.
- For the 2010 SCCA World Challenge season, Dan Gardner and Robert Stout drove a pair of supercharged Scion tCs in the Touring Car (TC) class. Robert Stout would win at the 2010 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, giving Scion its first-ever TC class win.
- In 2010 DG-Spec won the manufacturer's championship in World Challenge for Scion. This marked the first time any Toyota brand had ever won the prestigious championship. No Toyota marque has won since.
- In 2011 Dan Gardner Spec won the WERC endurance series for the second time, capping off the performance with an entry into the 25 Hours of Thunderhill. The team led the race by as much as a whopping 28 laps before an engine failure brought the car into the pits. The team accomplished the impossible, doing a full motor-swap in 2 hours, and putting the car back on track with 25 minutes to go in the race, claiming the final step on the podium.
- In June 2012, Christian Rado used a Team Need for Speed AWD Scion tC at the Palm Beach International Raceway for a lap record of 1:20.810 minutes.
References
External links
- Toyota Zelas global site
