We’re not even sure why we’re writing any copy. The video and the headline say it all. Below you’ll find some incredibly entertaining video of the amazingly talented rally and drift racer Tanner Foust piloting his Rockstar Energy Drink Scion tC drift car along California’s famous Mulholland Drive.

For those who don’t know, Foust’s tC makes 600 horsepower courtesy of a Toyota NASCAR V8, giving it plenty of torque to light up those rear tires.

Foust and the Rockstar Scion tC kick off their drifting season in Long Beach, CA, April 9-10.

See after the jump for the tire-shredding video:

Scion will introduce a mid-cycle update to the boxy xB model for 2011, with some mild updates and a minor price increase. Included is a facelift with new front and rear bumpers, headlights and taillights and a new front grille. The changes aren’t big, but do add a bit more aggression to the already mean looking box. Most noticeable are larger exterior air vents, giving the xB the appearance of an even wider stance. Seven paint colors will be available for 2011, including two new colors: Army Rock Metallic and Elusive Blue Metallic

Inside, the xB gets new seats with better side bolsters, as well as new seat fabric. Other additions include a new gauge cluster, a steering wheel that has both tilt and telescopic functions and the addition of a center console that also doubles as an armrest.

As mentioned, a slight price increase is also part of the 2011 package, but at just $150 it’s not hard to swallow. A base xB now retails for $16,000 with a manual transmission and $16,950 for the automatic. 2011 Scion xB models will go on sale later this month.

GALLERY: 2011 Scion xB

Official release after the jump:

Officially unveiled today at the Chicago Auto Show, Scion has released yet another special edition tC model. Presumably the last limited edition tC, the tC Release Series 6.0 comes painted in the exclusive SpeedWay Blue, with a matte-black graphics package.

The same blue hue is used in the interior for the seats as well as for the stitching on the steering wheel. Additional upgrades include an 4.3-inch touch-screen Alpine Premium Audio system with navigation that features iPod and USB connectivity.

Just 1,100 RS 6.0 tCs will be built and all models come with an individually numbered badge. Pricing is set at $18,620 with a manual transmission, and $19,420 with an automatic. Sales will begin this March.

GALLERY: Scion tC RS 6.0

Later this week at the Chicago Auto Show, Scion will unveil the yet another special edition tC model. Presumably the last limited edition tC, the tC Release Series 6.0 comes painted in the exclusive SpeedWay Blue, with a matte-black graphics package.

The same blue hue is used in the interior for the seats as well as for the stitching on the steering wheel. Additional upgrades include an 4.3-inch touch-screen Alpine Premium Audio system with navigation that features iPod and USB connectivity.

Just 1,100 RS 6.0 tCs will be built and all models come with an individually numbered badge. Pricing is set at $18,620 with a manual transmission, and $19,420 with an automatic.

Sales will start this March with the car being officially unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show on Wednesday, February 10th. AutoGuide’s will deliver complete Chicago Auto Show coverage starting Feb. 10th.

For complete 2010 Chicago Auto Show coverage click here

GALLERY: Scion tC RS 6.0

Official release after the jump:

Toyota’s hybrid technology is too expensive to be used in Scion models says brand VP Jack Hollis. In an interview with Ward’s Auto, Hollis explained that a hybrid Scion model would essentially be out of the price range of the brand’s target demographic. Scion works to keep all its cars at, or starting at, under the $20,000 mark.

This news comes just days after Honda said a hybrid version of the Fit might not be in the works after all, due to prohibitive cost.

Hollis admits that not having hybrid Scions is particularly unfortunate as the typical Scion buyer is more likely to be open to hybrid technology and want to drive a vehicle that has a reduced impact on the environment. “Youth seem to be very, very cognizant of their environment and the footprint they’re leaving,” says Hollis, who went on to dismiss claims that the Toyota FT-CH hybrid concept shown at the Detroit Auto Show could one day be a Scion.

Toyota previewed the FT-CH and said that it would most likely debut as a smaller Prius model, expanding the Prius name into a family of vehicles. Scion is expected to deliver two new models in the near future, with the iQ concept one possibility, and a new version of the tC reportedly in the works.

Hollis did says that hybrid models are in Scion’s long-term future and even dropped another bomb – stating that all-wheel drive Scion models could be possible. In fact, Scion has already engaged in talks with Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., the parent company for Subaru, about using its AWD technology. Hollis said that with AWD he believes a sub-$20,000 model could be offered and even commented that the partnership between the two companies has, “just begun.”

Could an AWD FT-86 model perhaps be the future of Scion?

[Source: Wards]

Toyota’s youth-oriented Scion brand is open to the possibility of a pickup truck model says brand manager Jack Hollis. In an interview with Ward’s Hollis admitted that a compact pickup might fit well in the Scion brand, a reversal on previous statements that pickups are out of the question.

Initially Scion feared that compact pickups were too traditional, but now the truck market has changed and it could mesh nicely with Scion’s less traditional clientele. After all, Toyota has made a success out of the Tacoma, with sales of  111,824 last year doubling its nearest competitor, the Ford Ranger. However, the problem would be to not cannibalize the Toyota trucks for the benefit of Scion.

Hollis seems to have a plan. He believes, and rightly so, that compact pickups have grown over the years and evolved into something as capable as older full-sized trucks. As a result, Scion could build a truly compact pickup. Interestingly, Scion isn’t the only youth-oriented brand looking in this direction with Kia execs recently admitting that the Soul’Ster concept could be an attractive entry-level truck  – if it ever makes it to market.

While Scion has shown a concept truck based on the xB in the past, it was a SEMA Show car and not really an official concept. The Hako concept (below), which Scion showed at the New York Auto Show back in 2008 might be a closer idea of the direction Scion might head.

While speculation is rampant, Hollis admits that there are no plans to introduce any such model in the near future. Scion, a brand which has suffered a considerable drop in popularity as of late, with sales deceasing 49.1 percent last year, is looking to reinvigorate its lineup with several models rumored to be unveiled in the next 12 months, including a model based on the Toyota iQ mini car and a much-needed replacement for the tC.

[Source: WardsAuto]

***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

The pieces of puzzle are starting to come together and it looks like Toyota is planning on launching a hybrid version of the iQ mini-car in North America, branded as a Scion. According to a report by InsideLine, the a concept version of this car is the “dedicated hybrid concept” that Toyota will unveil at the Detroit Auto Show next week.

The iQ Hybrid will be offered as both a five-door hatchback and as a sedan, with the hatch going on sale in 2011. Impressively, it will get over 60 mpg thanks to a 1.5-liter engine used as a part of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy drive.

In addition, the 3-door, currently sold in Europe and Japan will also be branded as a Scion in North America. The Smart fortwo-sized hatch will be powered by a 99-hp 1.3-liter 4-cylinder and be offered as a convertible as well. With the hybrid and non-hybrid versions, this will essentially add four new models to Scion’s product lineup.

Scion unveiled a concept version of the iQ at the New York Auto Show last year. See more of that car in the Gallery below.

GALLERY: Toyota iQ

GALLERY: Scion iQ Concept

[Source : InsideLine]

With its product offerings growing stale, Toyota’s youth-oriented Scion brand will introduce an all-new model at the New York Auto Show this spring. With Detroit’s auto show just around the corner, the New York show in late March/early April seems distant, especially with the Geneva Show seperating the two, but the debut is all part of Toyota’s plan to introduce 10 new or significantly refreshed products in 2010.

The Scion brand hasn’t had a new model since the second generation xB launched in 2008 and with the brand’s focus squarely set on being fresh and new, its product offerings as of late have been anything but. There are no details on what the new model will be, but last year at the New York Auto Show Scion did display the iQ concept (above). Based on the Toyota iQ city car sold overseas, it has been modified signifciantly but uses the factory 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine with 99-hp.

A replacement for the aging tC is also a strong possibility, as the flagship vehicle for the brand and competitor to cars like the Civic Coupe, is desperately in need of replacing.

In addition, the this Scion model, Toyota says it will deliver a significantly revised version of one of its models (vague, we know) at the Chicago Auto Show, while an all new dedicated hybrid concept is set for the Detroit Auto Show in just a few days time.

[Source: USA Today]

With no new models lined up in the production schedule, Scion has tossed together yet another limited edition Release Series version of its popular xB platform – the seventh no less. Dubbed the xB Release Series 7.0, like previous RS models, this car comes with a full package of aftermarket parts, including a custom paint color, and retails for a pretty reasonable price.

Included in the list of modifications is a DAMD aero kit, including new front and rear lip spoilers and side skirts. In addition, a $320 rear spoiler will be optional. The whole package gets painted in a special color called Murasaki – which means “purple” in Japanese.

The DAMD kit has a unique rear bumper design that allows for a special center-exit exhaust system, designed by TRD. The car also sits lower on a set of TRD lowering springs.

Interior highlights include a RAZO GT Formula Spec shift knob as well as new black seat fabric with purple detailing to match the car’s exterior. There’s also plenty of RS logos and an individually numbered stainless steel RS badge. Just 2,000 xB RS 7.0 models will be built.

As with all Scions, there are plenty of aftermarket parts that the company also sells. We noticed a serious set of TRD brakes on the show car in LA.

As for pricing, Scion lists the car from $18,320 with the manual transmission and $19,270 with the auto-box.

GALLERY: Scion xB RS 7.0 Debut in LA

With no new models lined up in the production schedule, Scion is getting ready to once again debut a limited edition Release Series version of its popular xB platform. Dubbed the xB Release Series 7.0, like previous RS models, this car comes with a full package of aftermarket parts, including a custom paint color, and retails for a pretty reasonable price.

Included in the list of modifications is a DAMD aero kit, including new front and rear lip spoilers and side skirts. In addition, a $320 rear spoiler will be optional. The whole package gets painted in a special color called Murasaki – which means “purple” in Japanese.

The DAMD kit has a unique rear bumper design that allows for a special center-exit exhaust system, designed by TRD. The car also sits lower on a set of TRD lowering springs.

Interior highlights include a RAZO GT Formula Spec shift knob as well as new black seat fabric with purple detailing to match the car’s exterior. There’s also plenty of RS logos and an individually numbered stainless steel RS badge. Just 2,000 xB RS 7.0 models will be built.

As for pricing, Scion lists the car from $18,320 with the manual transmission and $19,270 with the auto-box.

AutoGuide’s Live 2009 LA Auto Show Coverage Starts Here December 2nd

GALLERY: Scion xB Release Series 7.0

Official release after the jump: