Scion tC: impressive combination of handling, style

When Toyota made the decision to launch Scion, it's youth focused brand, they made a radical departure in marketing strategy and centered on building word-of-mouth buzz among urban Gen Y trend leaders. The division promoted its first two cars, the xA and the xB, at break-dance tours and graffiti-artist exhibitions. While getting behind the wheel of the most recent Scion tC probably won't make you change your name to DJ Chalicar and drive to Detroit to drink Red Bull and battle glowsticks with someone in body paints, Scion's marketers would undoubtedly be pleased if it did. To fit the role, I was prepared with an ipod full of Tiesto and prerequisite massive wraparound glasses, but when I actually got behind the wheel of this coupe, I found a tight little package that would appeal to anyone, from an L.A. street racer to a Chi Omega senior (equip with New Jersey plates).

As expected from any of Toyota's recent creations, the tC features an impressive list of standard equipment: the coupe comes standard with an oversize power moonroof, reclining rear seats, and a driver's-side knee air bag. The hardware isn't shabby, either, with a 160-horsepower, 2.4-liter four bolted onto a chassis equipped with four-wheel disc brakes (with ABS), an independent rear suspension, and seventeen-inch wheels shod with Z-rated Bridgestone Potenzas. The double-control-arm, independent rear suspension contributes to entertaining handling that allows some lift-throttle oversteer at the limit. The only thing that deadened my joyride was the optional four-speed automatic that my car came equipped with; although it's late shift points did allow for some pretty solid launches when pushed.

With a base price of $16,465 and its only options being the previously mentioned automatic and side-curtain air bags, the tC makes us wonder if this thing has the margin of a 1H Hybrid in StratSim, but Toyota says it's making an "industry standard" profit on every tC, also noting that Scion buyers also spend an average of $1,000 on dealer accessories. But those who can forgo such essentials as lighted cup holders and a carbon-fiber engine cover ($250 and $229, respectively) get a nice deal.

About those accessories: most are your standard cosmetic gear, but doubtless many extra pizzas will be delivered and possessions hocked on Ebay to put the Toyota Racing Development supercharger under the hood. The normally aspirated car's 163 pound-feet of torque make it pretty snappy in the first place, I can only imagine that another 40 horsepower and significant torque would make it downright dangerous. The supercharged tC costs about $20,000, which is bad news for other sporty coupes playing in that price range, most notably Toyota's own Celica. This Scion is poised to usurp its progenitor as surely as Phraates IV did when he killed his father, Orodes II, to assume the Parthian throne in 37 B.C.

In terms of its somewhat unique segmentation possibilities, Scion has built a car that will appeal to two distinct buyers. People who think a cat-back exhaust has something to do with feline flatulence will buy it because it's inexpensive and the satin silver color matches their sequined handbag. But it also should be a hit with the serious tuners, who will purchase their performance upgrades-TRD's supercharger, lowering springs, larger wheels and the like-from Toyota (to preserve the factory warranty).

All in all, I was quite impressed with this cuddly ball of excitement, and for those looking for a great combination of styling, handling, and unlimited personalization, the Scion is tough to beat. The game, however, has changed recently with the release of the 2006 Honda Civic Si, the vehicle from which the tuner/street racer segment was originally spawned. And the new Civic offers superior horsepower numbers in normally aspirated power-train, a snappy 6 speed shifter, and dramatically improved styling.if Toyota is serious (which it always seems to be) about maintaining the Scion's position within this crowd, significant improvements are probably on the very short-term horizon.