Click above for high-res gallery of the Scion Hako Concept

First, the quote: "Will we have a truck in our lineup? Does it make sense to have a hybrid powertrain? Is a subcompact roadster the answer? Or will an SUV ever be viable for us. We don't know the answers but we're very open-minded." That quote comes courtesy of Jack Hollis, vice president for Scion. So, Scion is considering a hybrid, huh? That's an interesting thought, considering the low price-point that Scion operates in. Surely, a hybrid Scion would be pushing into Prius territory price-wise, which might be inconsistent with Scion's image. Whatever the case, we sure hope that the hybrid wouldn't be anything like their new Hako concept. Wow, is that sucker ug... eh, interesting looking.

In other related news, Hollis mentioned a Scion pickup. That's something worth considering, we think, and it's an idea that's been thrown around before. Ideally, we'd like to see Scion axe the Hako, make a real coupe to replace the aging tC and consider a hybrid drivetrain for that machine; test the waters for a compact unibody pickup and reduce the weight of the xB, making it more in line with the original model. Alas, nobody asked us.

[Source: The Detroit News]

click the Hako concept for a high-res gallery

Apparently Scion got the message from fans of the first generation xA and xB when the replacements grew larger and heavier. Today they debuted a new concept called the Hako Coupe at the New York Auto Show. The Hako was created by Toyota's Tokyo design team with an eye on vintage American design. Frankly I think it just looks weird. Nonetheless it is smaller and it sounds like Scion is seriously considering this thing for production as a new addition to the lineup. At 145.7in the Hako is 9in shorter than the xD although Toyota didn't give any other technical details. The interior is packed with all kinds of techno goodness such as video cameras and interfaces for ipods and other gadgets. Scion made a point of mentioning that they wanted a polarizing design that wouldn't necessarily appeal to everyone, but those who like it would love it.


[Source: Scion]

PHOTO: Scott Jacobs / INSIDE LINE

It had to happen, given the fundamental laws of nature governing rivalries: Inside Line has done a playful side-by-side comparison of the Nissan Cube and the Scion xB. JDM-spec Cube did not fare exactly well against the US-market Scion (which it won't compete directly against, anyway). The Nissan's 1.4L four is perfectly adequate for the crowded streets of Tokyo but is taxed on American roads, as the Cube takes 13.8 seconds to go from 0 to 60. Based on Inside Line's impressions, a quarter mile run down the drag strip might well be measurable in the amount of beard growth you experience along the way. To be fair, one could easily argue that the quarter-mile time of a runabout like Nissan Cube is about as relevant to its target audience as the off-roading capabilities of the Chevy Corvette are to its prospective buyers. Still, when compared directly to the Cube, Inside Line finds the Scion better-suited to handle the average American's daily driving needs without relying on wide-open throttle as often as possible. That last bit manifests itself at the pump as Inside Line only squeezed around 22 mpg out of Nissan's microcar.

Aesthetically, Inside Line notes that the Cube's funky, asymmetric style makes the larger Scion xB look normal by comparison. Inside, the itsy bitsy Nissan provides flexibility in terms of passenger and cargo-carrying capacity, and it has some neat, thoughtful features like a coat rack in the rear storage compartment. Still, Inside Line feels that an eventual US-market Cube (there could be an announcement made next month in New York) would have to grow in size and power to better fit in, much like the '08 xB is larger than its predecessor. Sure, not everyone likes the fact that the 2nd-gen xB got bigger (us included), but when the Cube arrives, it'll have a clean slate since Americans won't have a prior model to compare it against. Assuming Nissan delivers a US-spec Cube that doesn't lose the the current car's quirky Japanese charm and delivers good fuel economy, the xB's gonna have a real fight on its hands in a couple of years. Read Inside Line's comparo in full here.


[Source: Inside Line]

People are already comparing the new Smart with old microcars like the Iso (and BMW) Isetta, so it makes sense that BMW would consider producing a challenger using the old, but not forgotten, marque. Reports indicate that this is a distinct possibility. In an ironic twist, BMW may consider producing the microcar to offset their large luxury-performance cars to comply with upcoming European CO₂ regulations. Back when the Isetta was initially launched, the profits from that model are what allowed BMW to branch into the large car market in the first place. How the times have changed!

Although the Smart is a thoroughly modern version of the microcar concept, the Isetta would draw a more retro profile. Hey, it's worked for BMW before - their Mini brand sets a fine pattern but is a tough act to follow. BMW has a great deal of experience making small and reliable motors for their line of motorcycles, so creating a suitable powerplant might not be a problem. Diesel engines would be a near lock for the European market, but no hybrid is planned for the States. Instead, a small turbocharged gasoline engine would likely be on the menu. If these reports prove accurate, retro and modern will go head-to-head once again in the microcar market, leading to more choices for the consumer.

[Source: Auto Express]

Click the xB for a high-res gallery

Toyota has been taking plenty of hits from environmental groups of late for playing up a green image while working behind the scenes to neuter new fuel economy standards. The big Tundra pickup has gotten most of the attention as a gas hog, but another more diminutive model has taken a big mileage hit for 2008 and not because of the EPA's new test procedures. After the mileage of the original Scion xB was adjusted downward based on the new tests, the mileage of the automatic transmission model was rated at 26/31/28 city/highway/combined. The new 2008 model is rated at 22/28/24 mpg.

After driving the xB for a week I averaged 23.4 mpg in my usual mixed driving cycle. Why the big drop? The 2008 xB is over 630 lbs heavier than the previous iteration and a foot longer. The original xB was based on the platform of the previous generation Toyota Yaris/Vitz and was sold in Japan as the Toyota bB. The new US market xB is based on the larger heavier Corolla platform. In Japan a new redesigned bB is still available based on the smaller architecture.

Why isn't our xB based on the new bB? Toyota probably felt that Americans would prefer a larger more powerful car and buy them in larger numbers. Were they right? It's probably too early tell as there was a gap in availability between the old and new models. So far the new one is selling at a slower monthly rate than the original. We'll watch this but for now if you want to know what Dan Roth and I thought of the new xB head over to Autoblog for a full review. It will also be interesting to see if the anti-Toyota crowd starts picking on the xB as well.

[Source: Autoblog]

The second-generation Scion xB grew substantially in size and weight when it debuted a few months ago. The original was based on the previous-generation Toyota Yaris platform and used the 1.5L engine from that car. The new one comes with a much more powerful and less-efficient 2.4L four cylinder. Toyota has just launched a version of this same car in the Japanese domestic market as the Corolla Rumion.

The Rumion gets a choice of smaller 1.5L and 1.8L engines along with the possibility of all-wheel drive. Unlike the US market xB, which is stuck with the option of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, the Rumion gets a CVT or seven speed sequential semi-automatic. The 1.5L version is rated at 38.1 mpg on the Japanese test cycle while five-speed xB only gets 22/28 mpg from the EPA. Even the 1.8L front wheel drive model manages 36.2 mpg. If Toyota is really serious about environmental credibility, why aren't they offering something similar in the US market? Clearly the performance wouldn't be as good but it would sure go a long way toward demonstrating what US car buyers actually want. More details on the Rumion are available in the Toyota press release after the jump.

[Source: Toyota]

We mentioned Tom Hanks was the first person to get an eBox, a Scion xB converted to run on electric power. Above is a video of Tom driving in the eBox and explaining what it's all about, even showing a picture of it. The video's page says the video was deleted, it looks like a bad take and I can't find part 2; so the video may not work very soon. Anywho, Tom is a great supporter of electric cars, famously promoting the EV1 on Letterman, and we are really glad to see him enjoying his eBox.

UPDATE: You can find the video here now.

[Source: ???]

When Toyota unveiled the second generation of their original entry-level Scion lineup at the Chicago Auto Show in February, the xB grew into a substantially larger vehicle and the xA was effectively replaced by the new xD. The overall dimensions of the xD remain close to the xA but the wheelbase is longer by 3.6 inches and weight is up by 300lbs.

With the xD due to arrive at Toyota dealerships in early August, they have just released the pricing. The xD will start at $14,550 for the manual gearbox and $800 more with an automatic. That puts it at $1,800 above the outgoing xA. The xD is rated at 27/33mpg city/highway. The Toyota press release is after the jump with more details on equipment and availability.

[Source: Toyota]

I can't believe that I missed this story, but somehow the fact that Scion might be considering a foray into the compact pickup segment was lost on me. Sometimes I'm just stuck in la-la (horrible!) land I guess. Anyway, check out the rendering that I found at PickupTruck.com for the possible truck. A while back, Autoblog ran a story lamenting that the Ford Ranger seems to just be left to die on it's own, leaving a gaping hole in its wake. The hole exists because, like most other auto-segments in America, the "compact" pickups have all outgrown the "compact" class and are now called "midsize" trucks. Our earlier post about fuel efficient pickups reminded me that since Dodge created the midsize class with the Dakota, the S10 was replaced by the Colorado; the El Camino and Ranchero are long-gone; the Rabbit pickup is history... and the list goes on. So, will Scion pick up the slack?

I suppose the the Subaru Baja could slot into this class, but it too is a four-door design and has limited capabilities. Something tells me that the Scion proposal probably doesn't include hauling and towing duties among its design priorities either. Which would be a shame, I think, because there are still buyers out there for the Ranger, old design and all.

[Source: PickupTruck.com]

The Nissan Cube and Scion xB may both look like the boxes they came in, but Nissan doesn't expect their car to compete directly with the larger Scion when it arrives in the United States in early 2009. Nissan vice president of product planning Larry Dominique expects the market for the Cube to be more balanced between male and female buyers than the xB, a vehicle that has grown significantly larger in it's second generation. More than likely the Cube will be competing more directly with the new xD which is closer in size to the Nissan. Regardless of which vehicles it competes with, seeing more small cars like this coming the US market is a good thing.

[Source: Wards Auto World]

The funny spelling of the word "expression" isn't the oddest thing that Scion has in store for their consumers. This year, the annual Scion Exprescion event will take place on "The Rock", or Alcatraz if you prefer. The inescapable prison's showers will be used for a fashion show, the event, described as blending "performance, interactive environments, art installations, cutting-edge music and fashion for owners and enthusiasts", is set to take place on June 16th. I would expect a pretty big event here, since Scion has one brand new model in the XD and one totally revised model in the XB. Oh yeah, and because they promise an "array of beautiful circus freaks" in the prison hospital too. That should be interesting.

Related:

• The Truth About Cars judges the Scion XB. Verdict: Guilty!
• Chicago Auto Show: Scion to unveil two new models
• Chicago Auto Show: Scion's xB gets bigger and less boxy (w/ VIDEO!)
• Chicago Auto Show: Toyota unveils the all-new 2008 Scion xD (w/ VIDEO!)

[Source: Inside Line]

I have read some scathing reviews from The Truth About Cars before, but I think I just may have read one that takes the cake. I mean, I'm talkin' Guinness Book of World Records "Worst Review Ever" territory here. The review I am referring to is that of the new Scion XB. Let's just put it this way: they hated it. I had a chance to see the vehicle in person at the Chicago Auto Show, and while I liked the last XB, I decided to reserve judgment on this one until I could get a feel for it in real life. The things that I liked about the old one seemed diminished in the redesign, like the fuel mileage and clever use of space. Well, if TTAC's review of the new XB is anything to go by, I guess my reservations were dead on. But, I won't take their word for it, and neither should you. I am going to go and take a look-see myself. I have a feeling that the new XD might just make more sense as the true replacement for the old XB, which appears to have been "American-ized" in its latest incarnation.

So, will we be losing one of the bright spots of fuel efficiency for the consumer that needs more space than something like the Smart Fourtwo? Like I said, I will have to check it out myself. If you like the old one, better get shopping now and try to find one left. Or, check out the XD, which, like I mentioned earlier, may be the true spiritual successor the the good old "box on wheels".

Related:

• Chicago Auto Show: Scion to unveil two new models
• Chicago Auto Show: Scion's xB gets bigger and less boxy (w/ VIDEO!)
• Chicago Auto Show: Toyota unveils the all-new 2008 Scion xD (w/ VIDEO!)

[Source: The Truth About Cars]

I have been having an ongoing email conversation with a man who lives in California about the state of the green automotive choices for someone who fits into the middle-class kind of vehicle, but who wants a sense of style in their car and some driving pleasure. Past vehicles owned by this potential buyer include a hand-me-down Volvo 850 and a Mazda Miata. He is in the market for a new car, and as a reader of AutoblogGreen, would like something environmentally friendly, and possibly a bit "up-market" in appearance. He would also prefer a hatchback for practicality. His claim is that there are no stylish, mid-priced vehicles that fit his needs on American roads today. Is he right? The only logical thing to do is to look at each option, weigh the pros and cons of each and make the best decision possible. Maybe our readership can help pick out a non-economy car that offers style, driving pleasure and is reasonably green.

Please, continue after the break, and help out a fellow reader make a wise decision.

We gave you a first look at the AC Propulsion eBox from the Alt-Car Expo in Santa Monica last December, now we just got news that the first one has been picked up by Tom Hanks. As a refresher, the eBox is a conversion by AC Propulsion costing $55,000 not including tax or the Scion XB that is required. The vehicle uses an AC motor driving the front wheels, and uses 625 pounds of lithium-ion batteries that enable the vehicle to run for 140-180 miles between charges. The top speed of the vehicle is 95 mph, and charging the 355 volt pack takes between 2 and 5 hours depending on the mode you choose and the available voltage to charge from. The vehicle also supports vehicle-to-grid power sharing.

Tom Hanks was quoted as saying, "There are three electric cars sitting on the moon, and now another one in my garage. The eBox makes even more sense in Los Angeles than in the Taurus-Littrow Valley of the moon. I can drive all weekend, hauling dogs and helping my friends move, and the only reason I'll need to stop at a gas station is for beef jerky and lottery tickets." Mr. Hanks sounds very pleased with his new vehicle. Thanks for the tip, Henry!

Related:

• Alt Car Expo: eBox makes public debut

[Source: AC Propulsion]

First, you have to read the clever article by a newbie Prius owner that is linked in the first sentence of biodiversivist's latest Grist blog. Then you must take a good 15 or 20 minutes to digest another view of a premise suggesting hybrids consume the same "dust to dust" energy as a Hummer H3. That means the total energy needed to assemble, operate, service and recycle a vehicle. Based on exhaustive data compiled by CNW Marketing Research, a Scion xB is the greenest at just .49 cents per mile while a Mercedes-Benz Maybach is the worst at just under $16 per mile.

Biodiversivist read the entire 400-page report, admittedly through green-colored glasses. He accepts that a hybrid such as a Prius (shown being assembled in Toyota City, Japan) would use more energy during its lifecycle, given that CNW has placed its lifecycle at 109,000 miles while giving SUV 197,000 miles. But he also acknowledges that the cost and energy required to build and maintain these specialty vehicles will come down as production numbers increase.

Bio's report is long and involved, and I'm not going to condense it any more. I found nothing out of order with his position, and I also found nothing I could personally challenge from the report. CNW will not release all the raw data, so an independent review is out of the question.

Snob or not, bio certainly isn't ready to give up his Prius.

[Source: biodiverersivist / Grist]