Meeting and Greeting the 2011 Scion tC Coupe
A few years ago my test drive partner Colin Hefferon and I were wandering through a San Diego parking lot when we spotted a smart looking coupe we'd never seen before. Turned out to be a Scion tC. Compact, sporty, and rather curvaceous, it was a car either one of us might have been happy to drive. I should add that Colin and I are both small car enthusiasts. And we're both Canadians, which explains why two experienced automobile journalists didn't immediately recognise the Scion: Toyota Canada had decided not to import the Scion line.
I still haven't spotted a Scion north of the border, though I've since heard that Toyota has changed its mind. Perhaps the all-new Scion tC coupe will encourage those reluctant Canadian marketing executives, just as it excited Jeremy Korzeniewski of Autoblog, who was privileged to test drive the 2011 tC. Jeremy, I'll tell you in advance, really likes this car and he approves of the styling, which has nothing in common with the first edition Scion coupe. I, however, am underwhelmed. This is not a pretty car. Yes, it has character and yes, it's unlike anything else (unless you include a certain Saab concept), and yes, it achieves Scion's plan to make it more masculine inasmuch as 60% of current buyers are (horror of horrors) women. But I'm just not comfortable with all those competing lines and angles. No elegance, no sense of fluid aerodynamics.
Jeremy describes it differently: "From its sharper and more angular fascia to the steeply cut upward slashing C-pillar that dominates the side profile, it's easy to see that Scion wanted a more aggressive shape for its latest youthmobile." He goes on to observe how "the blacked-out A- and B-pillars highlight the visor-like shape of the roof and C pillars."
Fortunately I'm in tune with what he reports about driving the car. But is it markedly superior to the previous model? "Well… in a word, no. At least not in its base guise. While the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine pushes out 180 horsepower (a useful improvement of 19 horses over the outgoing 2.4 liter), nobody is going to mistake the 2011 tC for a sports car. But honestly, that's just fine with us." Well, 180 horsepower would certainly please me in a lightweight coupe. A 0-60 acceleration of 7.6 seconds with the manual, 8.3 with the 6-speed auto, is plenty fast enough on our crowded highways. Especially when backed with an EPA estimated 23 miles per gallon in the city and 31 on the highway.
Apparently it tracks down the road well and turns in with minimal body roll, which suggest a car that's fun to drive. Those wanting a firmer ride can opt for an upgraded set of TRD springs and dampers, says Jeremy. He points out that safety was a major consideration when developing a car for young drivers. ABS brakes with electric brake-force distribution are standard, including a brake over-ride system that cancels throttle application when the brake pedal is depressed. Traction and stability control are also standard, along with eight airbags and tire pressure monitoring.
For an entry price of $18,275 plus $720 for destination I might be tempted to overlook the styling and trade my 2003 Focus ZX5.
There was a time around the late 80's and early 90s when several Japanese makers offered small sports coupes, including the Mazda MX-3, Nissan 200SX, Honda CX, and Toyota Paseo. They're all history now but I believe we're returning to a mind-set when economical little fun cars will once again be popular. If I'm right, and regardless of what I think about the 2011 Scion tC's styling, this is a car for now and the future. Read Jeremy Korzeniewski's positive review by clicking here.
Comments
Leave a Reply