A court verdict from a federal jury has ruled that Toyota’s unintended-acceleration woes were not to blame for a 2005 crash in which a Scion accelerated into a tree.

Toyota has announced it will increase prices of its vehicles across the board by an average of 1.7 percent. The move comes not only in response to damages to it has sustained during the recent earthquake, but also due to the continued climb of the Yen.

Toyota is planning big things for the NY Auto Show for its two sub-brands, Lexus and Scion. According to recent reports, Lexus will showcase an all-new version of its GS sedan in the Big Apple.

After the global economic collapse, compounded by a spate of major recalls and a general lack of new product, Toyota Motor Corporation has today announced a new Global Vision that puts the focus on developing the brand in emerging markets, while injecting more passion into its cars. Toyota also intends to continue to grow its strengths in building reliable and efficient cars, listing key focal points such as: quality, constant innovation, respect for the planet, and the idea that there is always a better way.

As we anticipate the launch of the Scion iQ here in North America, parent company Toyota is preparing to introduction an all electric version of the mini-car in Europe.

Toyota is preparing to showcase a second FT-86 Concept at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show, but that car is likely to arrive as a Scion in North America. Previously reported to wear the FR-S badge, the fan site Toyotobaru is claiming a name change to FT-S after word from a recent Toyota executive meeting.

In the most shocking drifting-related news we’ve heard thus far in 2011, Tanner Foust will be taking a temporary retirement from the world of American drifting, announcing today that Formula DRIFT will not be on his schedule of events to attend this year. This is after hearing rumors that the new Papadakis Racing Scion tC would be one of the craziest vehicles we’ll ever see in the Formula DRIFT series.

So with Tanner Foust leaving the driver seat, who will be filling his role? None other than 2010 Formula DRIFT’s Rookie of the Year, Fredric Aasbo. Aasbo, known for aggressively piloting a Toyota Supra, will be a great fit behind the wheel of a RWD Scion tC. Stephan Papadakis Racing will also be joining forces with Team Need for Speed with the newly built Scion tC.

“No offense to Papadakis, the team, the fans or the competitors, but the thing that I will miss the most about not drifting this year is that crazy NASCAR TRD V8-powered Rockstar Scion tC,” says Foust. “It’s been an amazing two years behind the wheel of the Rockstar Scion tC. Best of luck to Aasbo and the new Need For Speed Scion tC.”

We’ll keep our eyes out, as the two-time Formula DRIFT champion will surely be missed in the series. The good news is, we’ll be seeing plenty of Foust as his schedule of events include European Rally events, X-Games and his television responsibilities. Foust’s last competition in the Rockstar / Papadakis Racing Scion tC will be at the Formula DRIFT UAE on February 25th.

Two different press releases available after the break.

It has been a hit in Asia and Europe, but North Americans will have to wait a bit longer to get their hands on the Scion iQ.

Small pickups have virtually gone the way of the dinosaur when it comes to the manufacturers in North America, but on the used market, they’re still popular with younger buyers, many of whom modify and personalize them.

Previewed in concept form, the upcoming Toyota FT-86 was introduced as a budget sports car inspired by the Corolla AE86 and using a low-powered Subaru boxer engine capable of around 200-hp. Now, reports suggest that with increased development costs Toyota has decided to take the project further up-market, opting instead to run the WRX STI’s 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, producing a significant 305-hp.

There’s no doubt that 2010 has been a monumentally important year for the auto industry and one worth looking back on. From the Toyota recall crisis, to the success stories at Hyundai and Ford, to the launch of the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf, there have been no end of major news stories in the automotive sector.

However, 2011 is shaping up to be an equally exciting year, especially when it comes to the actual products, and so rather than a look back at the best of 2010, we thought it best to look ahead at the most anticipated cars that will debut over the next 12 months, starting in just a few weeks at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.

A design sketch of what is rumored to be the logo for the upcoming Toyota FT-86 has surfaced online, clearly highlighting the Japanese sports car will be powered by a boxer engine.

As we ramp up towards the festive season, it’s time for us to think about those in need. This year, Scion is doing its part by offering a Holiday Mail Drop.

A big box: that’s the easiest way to describe Scion’s ‘middle child’. Bracketed by the entry-level subcompact xD and the top-selling tC coupe, the xB is the most memorable. It’s also the one most people can associate with Toyota’s youth brand, or pick out in a parking lot without needing to check the license plate.

Toyota’s entry-level brand is under fire. After seven years of relatively easy pickings, a combination of poor corporate decision making and increasingly laser-accurate competition, Scion is scrambling. Sales are down sharply and apart from the 2011 tC, there’s little really new until next fall when the cute iQ micro-car debuts, and there’s a real sense that the company is quickly losing its relevancy amongst the youth buyers it’s aimed at.

Every auto show brings a Scion debut of some sort, and while we don’t always get to see a new tC or some wild concept, you can count on something from Toyota’s youth brand.

Scion may just have established itself as the only automaker on the planet with more special edition models than Bentley. Debuting today at the LA Auto Show, Scion has announced its eighth Release Series xB model.

When you think of Scion and racing, chances are you think of trends like Drifting and Time Attack. It may surprise you to learn, however, that over the year Scion has been involved in good old fashioned road racing too. The two car DG-Spec team competed all year in the SCCA’s World Challenge Touring Car class and in just their first year the team posted unbelievable results, absolutely dominating the field.

In summary, the DG-Spec/Scion/Lucas Oil/TRD Scion tC team took the Team Championship and Manufacturers’ Championship, while 18-year-old Robert Stout piloted his No. 18 car to the Drivers’ Championship while also taking the GameStreamer Rookie-of-the-Year award.

See the video recap of Scion’s 2010 Season after the jump:

Our second installment of the Best In Show series profiles the cars that made SEMA what it is – sport compacts. Yes, some of these cars push the boundaries of taste, but others are fairly creative and actually enhance the looks of the stock car.

It’s not often you see a car at the SEMA Show that’s more than just a pipe dream. And we’ll admit that building a car to resemble this Greddy-tuned Scion tC might not be cheap, but it is possible. While it’s obvious from the official press release that Greddy is planning to offer the turbocharger kit found under the hood of the new 2011 tC, we’ve also just received word that Scion will offer the Five Axis aero kit at select dealers as a part of the Scion Optimize program. No official pricing has been announced, but we have been told that it will come in at under $1,200.

Dare we say there seems to be a running theme with the Scion Tuner Challenge, with the obvious winner never taking first place. This year’s tC Tuner Challenge finished no different with the carbon fiber widebody built by John Pangilinan placing as the runner up to Shawn Baker’s tC that can best be described using such over-hyped inter-web buzz words as “stanced” and “hellaflush.” We do, however, give full credit to the interior of Baker’s tC with a Cognac leather used throughout with baseball style stitching all done by Russ’s Trim Shop. Every aspect of the car has been altered, with a Descendant/Precision turbo setup, AirLift air ride suspension and some Rotiform 3-piece wheels.

Scion has just released a selection of official pictures of its 2010 SEMA Show cars and while there’s the usual selection of over-the-top creations, were also pleased to see a few cars we’d actually like to drive.

The latest Consumer Reports reliability study is certainly packed full of more info than you can summarize in one article. That being said, we thought a followup to yesterday’s overview was in order with some added focus on some of the best and worst vehicles and automakers in the industry.

Toyota‘s FT-86 Concept will make it to market as a Scion in North America, likely sporting the name FR-S. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Toyota dealers were made aware of the decision by the corporate brass at a recent meeting in Las Vegas.

Scion‘s xD RS 3.0 is yet another special edition that lacks any real substance, but evidently that’s not stopping the folks at Scion from releasing it to the public. Much like the Ford Mustang and Porsche 911 variants that have been flooding the marketplace, the highlight here seems to be a cool paintjob and carbon-fiber trim for the B-pillars. Hooray.

For the privilege of owning such a rareified beast, the xD will set you back $16,905 with a manual transmission, and $17,705 with an automatic transmission. We can barely contain our excitement.

Check out the official press release after the jump:

As part of a larger plan to win back customers Toyota will now offer the first two years of maintenance on all new Toyota and Scion models for free. Known as “Toyota Care” the deal was initially offered to Toyota customers and the automaker has chosen to extend the program, while also including all new Scion products.

In a press release issued after Toyota’s recent dealer meeting in Las Vegas, the Japanese automaker said the extended offering will help consumers and dealers. “ Toyota is the first volume brand to offer this feature. The highest quality cars on the road will now also have the lowest cost of ownership.”

Official release after the jump:

GReddy has always been a huge supporter of Scion and its vehicles, producing a turbo kit for the original tC when it first hit the market. In fact, their tC was one of the cleanest ones ever built, so it’s no surprise that they’re already all over the new generation 2011 Scion tC, R&D’ing new parts including an exhaust system and turbo kit.

Not to be outdone by the folks at Nissan, Scion has released its own augmented reality experience on the Web to promote the all new 2011 Scion tC. And just to one-up their competition, Scion’s application utilizes Flash and works straight on the website instead of having to download an application. Plus, it’s an interactive game rather than just showing off the features of the car.

Rather than offer an entire TRD branded vehicle, those interested in performance parts for their 2011 Scion tC will have to pick and choose from Scion’s catalog in order to customize their brand new Scion tC. This clarification comes after a report that Scion would deliver an official TRD tC.

Scion is lowering its expectations for the new 2011 tC, announcing sales targets below what the youth-oriented brand was targeting earlier this year. According to brand VP Jack Hollis, Scion is now hoping to sell between 35,000 to 45,000 of the cars – down from a 40,000 to 50,000 estimate in March.

While Scion vehicles have been available in the United States for a number of years, they have never been officially brought to Canada, despite numerous grey market imports from south of the border.

Now, Scion’s are finally available and Toyota Canada has announced pricing for the distinctively styled compacts. The 5 door xD hatchback starts at $17,200, while the xB will set you back $18,270 loonies. The tC sport coupe will start at $20,850, pricing it competitively with the Honda Civic coupe.

Scion should have a fair amount of success in the Canadian marketplace, with small vehicles being immensely popular in the land of $4/gallon gasoline. Why it’s taken Toyota so long to bring the product here is anyone’s guess.

[Source: Toyota]

Hit the jump to see the official press release

Summer vacation may be coming to a close, but that means it’s time for a whole new season of bringing your kids to school, piano lessons and football tryouts. Consumer Reports has put together a list of new cars that are great for transporting the family around, all ranging in price from just under $20,000 to just under $40,000. They all gained good scores in road tests, and have good seating and cargo arrangements.

They’re listed after the jump, listed in order by price, along with a brief description on why they ranked well:

Scion‘s tC Coupe could see additional variants spun off from its platform, including a 5-door variant. The tC, which shares its platform with the Lexus HS250h and European-market Toyota Avensis, is available in sedan, wagon and hatchback variants throughout the world.

At the recent launch of the second-generation 2011 tC, Scion reps let slip that the youth-brand’s next model, the iQ, will hit dealerships in March.

When Chris Rado first unveiled his Scion tC time attack car with a massive front spoiler we applauded his ingenuity. Now we’re astounded. To compete in the Redline Time Attack, as well as events around the world, Rado and Team Need for Speed have developed a 1,100-hp all-wheel drive Scion tC. And yes, it’s got a massive front spoiler, and an equally huge rear spoiler. In fact, with this setup it looks a lot like a Pikes Peak machine – aside from the extremely low ride height.

After it’s debut at the New York Auto Show earlier this year, Scion has now announced pricing for the new 2011 second-generation tC. Models will start at $18,275 with a six-speed manual transmission, while a six-speed automatic model will start at $19,275. This represents over a $1,000 increase from last year’s model.

Toyota’s youth-oriented Scion brand is growing up, ever so slightly, refining its popular flagship tC model for 2011. Currently the tC boasts the youngest buyer in the industry with an average age of just 26 years old, and while Scion wants to maintain that core group of younger buyers, they’re also looking to bring in some slightly older customers (including second-time buyers) with a long list of small but important improvements.

Scion VP Jack Hollis has commented that a rear-drive model is a definitely possibility for the youth-oriented brand. In an interview with InsideLine, Hollis commented that a rear-drive car, “could absolutely work.” And if Scion were to go ahead with such a project then Hollis suggests an entry-level price at just over $20,000 – making the right-wheel drive model a new flagship for the brand. At that price point Hollis believes such a model would fit with the brand and would be accepted in the market.

As a brand, Scion has marketed its cars to a younger demographic that is interested in modifying/personalizing their vehicles. And with a new, second-generation tC model due out for 2011, it will be interesting to see if tuners continue to be drawn to Scions.

In a definite sign of interest Gurnade (which specializes in high-quality car renders for builders within the sport compact market) has teamed up with Tjin Edition for this Scion tC render.

The bright yellow paint is probably the first thing you’ll notice in this customized tC, but if not, then it’s probably the widebody fenders or chopped roof. The gigantic DPE wheels look a little overwhelming, but is a good fit to the wider tC. A more aggressive front bumper and side skirts naturally go with the package along with the Status Racing seats, Air Lift suspension and custom cage.

For those that have never seen Tjin Edition’s previous Scion tC, it follows a similar idea minus the chopped roof and bright yellow paint. Originally red, Tjin Edition’s widebody tC turned bright blue and was campaigned all across the nation for several years.

Gurnade says that this Scion tC project isn’t planed for SEMA (although we’re still tempted to think it is). The design house will, however, have several other models to show off and AutoGuide will be sure to bring you extensive coverage of the world’s largest aftermarket expo in November.

Plus, say tuned for our review of the all-new 2011 Scion tC in just a few days.

Official press release after the break.

Back in May, we caught wind of Rogue Status’ Drift xB that they built. Initially we were a little skeptical that it would be more of a show car and street performer, rather than a competition-ready drift machine. Would it ever go sideways on a track? No one knew or could tell, so needless to say we’re surprised and pleasantly happy when this video surfaced.

Professional Formula Drift driver Patrick Morduant headed to Willow Springs in the RWD 2JZ-Powered Scion xB to really put it to the test. The car actually does pretty well and looks wicked going sideways around Horse Thief Mile and we’re loving every second of the video. What’s also interesting is that Patrick Morduant was the one putting it to the test and not one of the Scion-sponsored drivers such as Ken Gushi or Tanner Foust. Regardless, we’re sure it was just for fun and isn’t a sign of things to come. But hey, it would be interesting to see how it would hold up in real competition wouldn’t it?

[Source: WreckedMagazine]

Check out the Rogue Status Scion xB drift video after the jump:

Scion has just launched a new online “virtual competition” that will see one competitor drive away in a shiny new 2011 tC. Titled “Unlock the tC Road Trip,” players will take road trips and customize their tC online with the top four finalists being flown to Los Angeles to compete in a real world contest. The winner will then be handed the keys to the all-new second-generation tC.

The game starts June 1st and the Unlock the tC Road Trip culminates with the final challenge on August 4th. Scion will also give away daily prizes – 140 in total.

Sign up to compete for the chance to win your own 2011 Scion tC here:

Unlock the tC Road Trip

Official release after the jump:

Rogue Status are huge sponsors of Ken Gushi and Tanner Foust, both pilots of RWD Scion tCs in the Formula Drift series. So leave it to them to come up with the idea to build yet another RWD Scion, this time a Toyota Supra 2JZ-powered xB.

Titan Motorsports has long been paving the way in the sport compact drag racing segment, setting records in their Street Tire Supra in the early 2000s, before moving onto the NHRA Sport Compact Pro RWD class with their Toyota Celicas. They then powered their way to 6-second passes on the quarter-mile before Scion jumped on board on contributed to two new chassis. Once the NHRA Sport Compact Drag Racing Series merged with NOPI, and NOPI disappeared, Titan Motorsports looked for a new challenge to please its sponsors and continue drag racing while setting records and raising eyebrows.

In what was an interesting move on their part, Titan Motorsports decided to campaign their Scion tC drag car at the ADRL series which is mostly dominated by American muscle. In fact, they are probably the only import-powered vehicle there at most events. With a Toyota 2JZ Supra Turbo engine with only 186 cubic inches, most ADRL competitors were skeptical that Titan could even come close to competing with the 800+ cubic inch motors that were all forced induced. Needless to say they attracted a lot of attention once they became very competitive in the 10.5-inch tire field.

But a new goal was on the horizon for 2010. After making numerous low 4-second passes in the 1/8th-mile, Titan Motorsports knew they had it in their car to go into the mystical 3-second mark. A 3.999 or faster pass would not only make Titan’s car the fastest sport compact/import in the world but they would also become part of an exclusive Mickey Thompson 3 Second Club. Entering this club rewards the team with a custom ring, custom leather jacket and $3000.00 bounty to the first five members.

At the ADRL Georgia Drags VI, Titan Motorsports finally achieved their goal with a record-setting 3.996 @ 182.45 mph. They have made their way into the coveted Mickey Thompson 3 Second Club as one of the first five cars into the 3’s and guaranteed themselves as the fastest import in the world for many years to come. Watch the record setting pass after the jump!

[Source: Titan Motorsports Blog]

GALLERY: Titan Motorsports 3-second Scion tC

Consumer watchdog, Consumer Reports has released its list of 2010 cars, which includes the Hyundai Accent and the Chevrolet Aveo, that do not come with the electronic stability control (ESC) safety feature.

Despite a dearth of sporty cars in its lineup, Toyota has always managed to have at least one convertible, from boulevard cruisers like the short-lived Celica convertible and the recently departed Camry Solara convertible, to more serious sports cars like the MR2 and Supra. With the Camry Solara gone, Toyota is looking for another open top vehicle, and Scion‘s popular tC is likely to be next in line.

Breaking into its seventh season, Formula DRIFT took to the Streets of Long Beach for its trademark season opener. This event is always a fan favorite being one of the only, if not the only, drift event that takes place on actual streets rather than a race track, course or parking lot. Many new cars made their debut at this event, some having great success while others clearly have a lot of bugs to figure out. American muscle prevailed however, as Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s new 2011 Falken Tire / Monster Energy Drink Mustang claimed the top podium spot with its debut.

Last week Scion took the wraps off not one, but two all-new models at the New York Auto Show, the tiny iQ and sporty 2011 tC. We brought you plenty of photos and all the details on both new cars, and now we have some very cool video to share courtesy our friend Peter Tarach, the editor of Modified Mag. He decided to edit together enough of his photos for a time-lapse video of the Scion booth, including the new tC, iQ and two modified versions of the cars, built by Five-Axis.

Along with the new iQ model, Scion also debuted the second-generation 2011 tC at the New York Auto Show today, a very big move for an automaker that hasn’t released a new car in three years. The new tC has a familiar but hardly identical look and is powered by a slightly more potent engine. Under the hood there’s a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that makes 180-hp (19 more than the previous model) and 173 ft-lbs of torque (11 more than the previous model).

Scion has just revealed the production model iQ at the New York Auto Show, which the company claims is the smallest four-seater in the world. At just 120-inches long it is roughly one-foot longer than the Smart fortwo. Saying it’s a 4-seater is a bit of a stretch, however, and Scion does qualify that it’s more of a 3+1, with the “1” being a child.

Last week we brought you several leaked photos of the new 2011 Scion tC and now we have a first full image of the car taken by a spy photographer working inside the New York Auto Show. The photo, sent to Autoblog by an anonymous shooter, shows a terribly grainy image of the new tC on stage in New York during a practice run-through of a press conference set for later today.

Earlier today we reported that RealTime Racing would be taking their expertise to the new GTS class in World Challenge. So perhaps there’s a changing of the guard with a new manufacturer poised to enter the World Challenge Touring Car class – Scion

Toyota’s youth brand is no strangers to all forms of motorsports, sponsoring and fielding cars in road racing, time attack, drag racing and even drifting. Sure some of these cars aren’t even close to what you get off the lot as a commuter, but Scion has continued strengthened its brand and image by posting fast lap times and setting records. Two cars and three drivers will be campaigned throughout the season with all the world’s attention turned to St. Petersburg, Florida this weekend for the first race of the season.

The Scion tCs are equipped with a plethora of parts from OE Scion, TRD (including their supercharger, intercooler and big brake kit) and Dan Gardner Spec (DG-Spec), performance parts that Gardner has developed over three years of racing Scions. Gardner’s resume of racing includes 2009 championships in NASA PTC and WERC Endurance E1. His partner-in-crime for the No. 36 car will be Tom Lepper, veteran club and Grand-Am driver who took top honors in the US Touring Car Championship series in 2009. The second car, the No. 18 Scion tC, will be piloted by 18-year-old Robert Stout, 2009 NASA PTA National Champion.

Make sure to check out the full press release and a video of testing after the break. And be sure to have your TVs set and ready for the playback of this weekend’s event.

[Source: World Challenge News]

Earlier today we reported on a story that Scion would unveil a new Toyota-based iQ model at the New York Auto Show. Now TheCollegeDriver.com is claiming to have several sneak peek images of the 2011 Scion tC – the second-generation version of the flagship car in the Scion brand. The site also says this new car will be unveiled at the NY Auto Show next week.

The production version of the Scion iQ will make its debut at the New York Auto Show next week reports Bnet. Shown at the same show last year, but in concept form (above) we don’t expect the road-ready car to be nearly so wild.

We’re not even sure why we’re writing any copy. The video and the headline say it all. Below you’ll find some incredibly entertaining video of the amazingly talented rally and drift racer Tanner Foust piloting his Rockstar Energy Drink Scion tC drift car along California’s famous Mulholland Drive.

For those who don’t know, Foust’s tC makes 600 horsepower courtesy of a Toyota NASCAR V8, giving it plenty of torque to light up those rear tires.

Foust and the Rockstar Scion tC kick off their drifting season in Long Beach, CA, April 9-10.

See after the jump for the tire-shredding video:

Scion will introduce a mid-cycle update to the boxy xB model for 2011, with some mild updates and a minor price increase. Included is a facelift with new front and rear bumpers, headlights and taillights and a new front grille. The changes aren’t big, but do add a bit more aggression to the already mean looking box. Most noticeable are larger exterior air vents, giving the xB the appearance of an even wider stance. Seven paint colors will be available for 2011, including two new colors: Army Rock Metallic and Elusive Blue Metallic

Later this week at the Chicago Auto Show, Scion will unveil the yet another special edition tC model. Presumably the last limited edition tC, the tC Release Series 6.0 comes painted in the exclusive SpeedWay Blue, with a matte-black graphics package.