The Scion tC was a compact coupe sold by Toyota’s Scion brand from 2004 to 2016 in two generations, both built in Japan. It was the best-selling model of the marque, accounting for almost 40% of total Scion sales, and it was intended as a spiritual successor to the Celica aimed at younger buyers.
Scion tC at a glance
| Maker | Scion (Toyota), built in Japan |
|---|---|
| Production | 2004–2016 |
| Generations | ANT10 (2004–2010), AGT20 (2011–2016) |
| Body | compact two-door coupe |
| Engine, first generation | 2.4 L DOHC four-cylinder, 2,362 cc, VVT-i |
| Power | 160–161 hp; 200 hp with the TRD supercharger |
| Engine, second generation | 2.5 L 2AR-FE four-cylinder |
| Power, second generation | 180 hp (130 kW), 174 lb·ft |
| Gearbox | five-speed manual or four-speed automatic |
| Layout | front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Roof | panoramic glass roof, standard |
| Position | Scion’s best seller, about 40% of brand sales |
Based on one source.
History of the Scion tC
First generation (ANT10, 2004–2010)
The production tC was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in January 2004, with sales starting in May 2004 as a 2005 model year car. Toyota positioned it as a spiritual successor to the Celica for the Millennial market and loaded it with standard equipment: power windows, cruise control, air conditioning, keyless entry, mirror-mounted turn signals, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, a 160-watt Pioneer sound system, 17-inch alloy wheels and a panoramic moonroof. The chassis was shared with the Avensis, with MacPherson struts at the front and a double wishbone rear suspension. A bare-bones Spec Package with 16-inch steel wheels, a fixed glass roof and no cruise control cost $1,400 less and was discontinued for 2009. The car was refreshed for the 2008 model year with a revised grille and new head and taillights. Sales peaked at 79,125 units in 2006 and had fallen to 15,204 by 2010.
Second generation (AGT20, 2010–2016)
The replacement debuted at the New York International Auto Show in April 2010 and reached US dealerships in October 2010 as a 2011 model. It used the third-generation Avensis chassis and a 2.5-litre 2AR-FE engine carried over from the Camry, producing 180 hp and 174 lb·ft. Visually it was a toned-down version of the 2006 Scion Fuse concept, with a similar rear quarter-panel window line but blacked-out A-pillars in the style of the xB, and reworked headlights, taillights and grille to make the car look more muscular. The all-glass roof and roomy interior were carried over, and from 2011 the car was also sold as the Toyota Zelas in the Middle East, China and South America.
Design and features
- Monospec pricing: Toyota sold the tC at a single low base price with accessories added individually, rather than through trim levels.
- Glass roof: a panoramic moonroof was standard from the first generation.
- Safety kit: four-wheel disc brakes with ABS were standard; from 2008 side torso, side curtain and driver’s knee airbags were added.
- Supercharger option: a TRD supercharger raised output to 200 hp and cut the quarter-mile time to 14.2 seconds.
Scion tC versions
- tC (2004–2010): the standard first-generation coupe with the 2.4-litre engine.
- Spec Package: a stripped tuner-oriented version with steel wheels and a fixed roof, built until the 2009 model year.
- 2008 model year: revised grille and lights.
- tC (2011–2016): second generation with the 2.5-litre engine and a new body.
- TRD supercharged cars: dealer-fitted supercharger kit, 200 hp.
The tC shared the showroom with the boxy Scion xB and the rear-drive Scion FR-S. More models are in the Scion collection.
Sources
- Scion tC, English Wikipedia: history, equipment, specifications, sales
