Scion has announced pricing for its 2014 tC and iQ models, along with its 10 Series Edition models which celebrate the brand’s 10th anniversary.

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Toyota has announced new prices for several 2013 models. While most are going up in price, they are getting new equipment along with it. Continue Reading…

When Scion was originally launched in 2003, the automaker intended for its models to follow a “one and done” mantra, which meant each model would be canceled after a single life cycle.

But that wasn’t the case due to the popularity of some of its models – namely the xB and tC. After a strong run, Scion has now announced the xB will be joining the xA in Scion’s automotive graveyard. Also gone is the universally unloved xD. The Japanese automaker announced that the xB and xD will not see another generation, making way for new models under the Scion name.

Jack Hollis, Vice President of Scion told Ward’s Auto, “We don’t have plans for a direct xB or xD replacement,” which means we might never see a box-shaped Scion ever again. Scion didn’t mention when we might see the new models, but we’re confident the FR-S will keep the Scion name exciting for at least a couple of years.

[Source: Ward's Auto]

With the Scion FR-S destined to arrive on North American soil rather soon, it’ no surprise that the sub-brand for Japanese automaker, Toyota, decided to give its website a new identity. It appears that Scion hopes to give itself a more of a “grown up” image too with the FR-S’s arrival, which will undoubtedly be the first real sports car for the young brand.

Up until now, Scion is most well-known for its quirky models that appeal to the young automotive enthusiast interesting in customizing their vehicle to match their personality. And while the tC was an attempt at making a sporty coupe, most would agree that it doesn’t have – or even come close to – the appeal that the FR-S brings. We already have no doubts that the FR-S as a car is a hit (read our review here), but it’ll be interesting to see if buyers can get over the “Scion hump” of knowing that it doesn’t boast a Toyota badge, but rather a badge that’s been heavily associated to a younger generation of car enthusiasts.

Either way, the new website is clearly an indication that Scion wants to trend away slowly from the reputation it has established over the years. Rather than a dark-themed and Flashy website, it now incorporates a friendly-on-the-eyes design with everything just a couple of clicks away. In other words, it’s function over form, much like the FR-S. It looks great, and it performs great.

At the 2012 Montreal International Auto Show, Scion brought a trio of Release Series vehicles out to display for the Canadian market. This is the first time Scion’s Release Series vehicles have ever been to a Canadian auto show.

Starting with the xB Release Series 9.0, the limited edition xB will only see 200 units in Canada with its Hot Lava exterior paint, Scion honeycomb grill, illuminated vehicle locator badges, suede-style trimmed seats, color-matched stitching, embossed seat logos and RS individually-numbered badges.

A huge contrast to the flashy and bright xB is the Blizzard Pearl xD Release Series 4.0. The frosty xD has a unique blizzard pearl finish, packs 16-inch smoked platinum wheels on each corner while the interior also gets some Pearl white matched pieces and seat surfaces. Only 100 of these will be made available in Canada with each one individually numbered and featuring RS 4.0 all-season floor mats.

Last but not least, the High Voltage Yellow tC Release Series 7.0 – that’s been made famous by the commercials – will be limited to just 175 cars in Canada. The bright yellow tC is further accented by a TRD body kit and 18-inch gloss black wheels. On the inside, there’s plenty of yellow contrast stitching and the tC features a Smart Key with push button start. And of course, there’s an RS individually-numbered illuminated badge for the vehicle.

The Release Series xB begins at $20,950, the xD 4.0 starts at $18,460 while the retina-burning tC Release Series 7.0 is $23,425.

GALLERY: Scion Release Series Vehicles

Scion has revealed two new Release Series editions for the 2012 model year.

The Scion xD R.S. 4 will offer cosmetic upgrades including a unique Blizzard Pearl paint job finished with a sleek set of 16 inch alloy rims in a smoked platinum finish. Interior upgrades will feature colored trim pieces matching the paint scheme and white stitching. The limited run of 800 units will be priced at $16,980 for the manual or $17,780 for the automatic.

The Scion xB R.S. 9 will get an attention grabbing Hot Lava paint finish along with a color matching “SCION” text embossed across the face of a sport appearance honeycomb lower grill. An interesting feature exclusive for the Release Series 9 are its illuminating front and rear badges that will activate every time the remote locks or unlocks the car. The interior will feature synthetic suede seats and Hot Lava trim pieces. Only 1,500 R.S. 9 models will be built. Prices start at $18,840 for the manual and will reach $19,790 for the automatic.

The 2012 Scion line-up will all receive a new Pioneer audio system with Bluetooth and HD Radio.

GALLERY: 2012 Scion Release Series

Pricing for Scion‘s 2012 xD model has been announced with the five-speed manual set at $16,075 and the four-speed automatic at $16,875, including a delivery, processing and handling fee of $730.

In addition, Scion announced that Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and streaming audio along with HD Radio are now standard for the 2012 xD model. The vehicle will feature Pioneer’s audio system with a 160-watt amplifier, USB port, AUX port, and subwoofer RCA output.

An option for a premium 200-watt Pioneer audio system with a 5.8-inch LCD screen will be offered for the 2012 xD. It also packs six RCAs outputs to allow multiple amplifiers. Standard on the xD are your run-of-the-mill features such as power steering, windows, door locks and mirrors, remote keyless entry, air conditioning and four-wheel anti-lock brakes, to name a few.

Toyota Canada has announced that it will expand its product offering significantly in Canada with the introduction of the youth-oriented Scion brand in September of 2010. The launch will be targeted at several major markets including Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. In total 45 dealers will be a part of the expansion.

The Scion dealers will operate as a “store within a store” and will be part of existing Toyota dealerships. There will be 18 Scion dealers in Montreal, 20 in Toronto and 7 in Vancouver.

“This is a great time to launch Scion in Canada,” said Larry Hutchinson, Director of Scion in Canada. “As the auto industry emerges from recession, one of the largest and youngest demographics will be entering the marketplace. Young buyers will be looking to the ever-growing small car market. They are not only looking for a safe, high-quality and fuel efficient vehicle, it is important to them that the vehicle reflects their personality and lifestyle, and the stylish and trendy Scion brand will be there to fulfill that need.”

The launch of Scion in Canada will start with three vehicles, all of which are currently offered in the U.S. (Scion’s only other market). The vehicles include the sporty tC, the funky and functional xB and the sub-compact xD. Scion is also expected to deliver new models in the near future, with one possibility being a version of the Toyota iQ mini car.

For a full list of Canada’s Scion dealers, see after the jump:

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Scion has just rolled out its final special edition model for 2009, the xB Release Series 2.0, starting at $14,650 – just $1,270 over the base price.

What you get for that amount is a long list of extras, not to mention Electric Wasabi green paint and the knowledge that only 1,600 such models will be built.

Other highlights include a touch screen 5.8-inch high resolution LCD Pioneer Audio Visual Navigation (AVN) head unit with a flash memory, voice recognition and Bluetooth compatibility. It also has USB and SD card connectivity as well as an iPod hookup. And will even play videos from your iPod when parked.

GALLERY: Scion xD Release Series 2.0

Official release after the jump:

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Eight years after the Scion brand was launched in the U.S., Toyota’s youth-oriented offshoot will open dealerships in Canada in 2010. With a dealership-within-a-dealership approach, Scions will be available at several Toyota stores in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Expansion to other urban centers (or “centres” as they say in Canada) is expected but not yet official.

Scion will enter the Canadian marketplace with all three of its vehicles, the tC sport coupe, the xD five-door hatchback and the cube-shaped xB five-door hatchback.

And of course, all Scion models in Canada will be available with numerous accessories and upgrades, from wheels to shift knobs and from stereo systems to TRD (Toyota Racing Development) performance parts.

“Scion is a unique brand, yet still a member of the Toyota family so it benefits from the same high standards as our Toyota and Lexus lines,” said Larry Hutchinson, Director of Toyota Canada Inc., commenting that in the U.S. 70 percent of Scion buyers are new to Toyota, and over fifty percent of Scion owners migrate to a Toyota vehicle as their needs and wants evolve.

For more information on Scion Canada visit: www.scionnation.ca

Official release after the jump:
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