A New Blank Canvas, From Scion (Automotive)

A couple new Scions will be hitting the streets in a few weeks. The model pictured above is the next generation Xb. (The other will be called the Xd, replacing the Xa) I have always been a fan of these Japanese cube cars, most of which we don't get here in the United States. I love the boxy yet somehow bulbous urban proportions of this specifc model, and love the tuning potential. I got my first bit of solid information a couple days ago from Edmunds.com Their first drive can be found here.

It was in their video review that I saw the Xb in some weird sea foam color riding on larger than stock TRD wheels. It made a huge difference, and really made the car look good, as a nice set of rims tend to do. The stock wheels are crap, but for a reason. Scion wants their customers to modify their cars. People who plan on toying and tuning from the get go don't want to pay a lot for wheels they are just going to throw out anyway, unless they have unusually strong second hand market value. That philosophy applies to any part of the car that is easy and typically changed. The cheaper those parts are, the lower the sticker price, the more money for modifications.

The overall look and potential of the vehicle drew me in. I wanted to learn more about the Xb, so I visited the Scion website. It was there that I was treated to a little before and after (stock then modified animation) of the Scion lineup, and more importantly where I saw this...
Granted, I may be a little biased by the color choice (red,black, gunmetal, and white is one of my favorite combinations) but I think it looks amazing. With the right wheels, and a slightly lowered ride height it just looks spot on. Feel free to disagree, but I love it.

Now, in even more exciting news, the Xb holds the 2.4 liter 4 cyl motor from the tC. A 160hp isn't amazing, but the tuning potential on this engine is. Turbonetics and other forced induction companies have turbo and supercharger kits for this motor.

I can picture it now: 19" wheels, TRD springs, TRD anti roll bar, tinted windows, a Turbonetics 300hp turbo kit, quality exhaust, and a great audio visual system. You can keep your Jeep Wrangler and Toyota Fj. I've found what beach cruiser I want.

Below: Additional Photos of a Xb modified by Five Axis sporting Volk TE's