Already boasting a lineup of cars specifically designed to allow maximum personalization, Scion swept into this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show with some bold new examples of how to take that core advantage to ye olde next level.

The brand is premiering a variety of models at the event, all tricked out by some of the best tuners in the business, with a particular focus on the all-new 2012 Scion iQ. The urban-friendly iQ comes wrapped in some particularly eye-catching sheet metal right off the Scion lot, but—as just one example—the Pit Boss Cartel iQ shows how the car can be just as at home on the race track as it is on city streets.

The Cartel group added plenty to the Pit Boss iQ, but most noticeable is what the team removed—the car’s roof. Now showing off the silhouette of a traditional open-top road racer, the Pit Boss iQ relies on an anything-but-traditional interface for vehicle controls: an integrated iPad and innovative RED EYE Automation. Other Cartel upgrades include:

• An AccuAir suspension
• Wilwood Dynapro brakes
• Big Lorenzo wheels and TOYO Proxes 4 tires
• Custom-fabricated body panels
• Hand-laid pinstripes accenting a House of Colors Electric Blue basecoat and black two-tone topcoat
• Autonet mobile wi-fi
• A premium Alpine sound system with digital amps, two-way speakers and thin-style subwoofer

Other designers increasing the style quotient for the iQ at SEMA include Michael Chang, Jon Sibal and Tatsu.

Also at the show, Scion’s top seller and top performer, the tC, gets an extreme motorsports-style makeover from Gruppe-S Engineering—a subsidiary of Dynamic Autosports Inc. The Gruppe-S tC adds forced induction for more power, courtesy of a GReddy Turbo Kit, along with stoppers from TRD (Toyota Racing Development), an enhanced suspension featuring a custom Gruppe-S rear camber arm, Recaro seats, and a full complement of carbon-fiber body pieces, including hood, trunk, and front splitter.

The Scion xB, long a SEMA favorite, breaks new ground this year with the Numeric, designed to celebrate the 20th anniversary of legendary snowboard brand 686. Created by 686 and Scion Racing, in collaboration with Spin Imaging, the upgrades here were “directly inspired from a product and brand that’s progressively pushed skateboarding and snowboarding to new levels.” Among them:

• New Balance tires modeled after NB686 snowboarding boots
• A roof that emulates the design of a Bern carbon-fiber helmet
• Windows based on Dragon’s APX frameless goggle technology
• Modified Sparco seats that take their cues from Union snowboard bindings
• A Skullcandy sound system
• GoPro video rearview mirrors and detachable backup camera
• Vestal time gauges
• Heated floor mats from Freewaters
• BOA heating and cooling systems
• Recco radar technology
• Interior panels designed by famed skateboard artist Marc McKee
• A custom CNC iPad cradle from Rokform

Finally, to really wrap things up, 686 and Spin Imaging developed a unique technology that allowed the Numeric to be wrapped in the same kind of waterproof, breathable material used in leading snowboard outwear. The wrap even features waterproof YKK zipper pickets and stitched seams.

And while this year’s SEMA show only runs through November 4, Scion fans can check out the brand’s accessories-friendly approach to driving anytime they want, simply by visiting their local Scion dealership or going online to www.Scion.com.

Its striking “J-Factor” urban-design esthetic may give the Scion iQ a show-car attitude, but the new premium micro-subcompact flashes a highly practical approach to city driving: When the iQ starts rolling out in the U.S. late this fall, it’s expected to boast EPA ratings of 36 mpg city/37 mpg highway/37 mpg combined – that’s the best combined mark of any non-hybrid, non-EV automobile in the country.

But the iQ doesn’t sacrifice a fun-to-drive character – or anything else – in achieving that new benchmark. By combining a peppy 94-hp 1.3-liter I4 engine with a light-on-its-wheels curb weight of just 2,127 lbs., the nimble iQ delivers a better power-to-weight ratio than a Fiat 500. The Scion also tops the 500, along with all other non-luxury vehicles in the industry, when it comes to airbags. The iQ has 11, including the world’s first rear-window airbag. And there is plenty of other standard content on the spec sheet, too, like:

• Air conditioning
• A leather-wrapped shift knob and three-spoke steering wheel (with audio controls)
• Bluetooth connectivity
• HD Radio technology
• Innovative “3+1” seating for three adults and one child
• A 160-watt Pioneer AM/FM/CD sound system with RCA output jacks and auxiliary and USB ports
• Cutting-edge safety systems including electronic brake distribution, traction control, vehicle stability control and anti-lock brakes
• Three years of complimentary roadside service and two years of complimentary routine maintenance
• Access to a comprehensive catalog of Scion accessories developed specifically for the iQ

Naturally, the world’s smallest four-seater will have a small starting price, in this particular case being $15,995, including destination charges. Which helps explain why Scion dealerships continue to be the destination for drivers who want high style and high efficiency – not high costs.

Putting big-time style in a small-sized package, the all-new 2012 Scion iQ premium micro-subcompact is scheduled to go on sale in October with an MSRP of $15,265. The striking iQ is a city-friendly 10 feet in length—more than two feet shorter than a MINI—but will leverage several engineering innovations to provide “the functionality and comfort that drivers expect from a car twice its size,” according to Scion.

These include a compact, front-mounted differential; a high-mounted steering rack (with electronic power steering); a compact air-conditioning unit; a flat gas tank housed beneath the car’s floor; “slim-back” front seats; and “3+1” offset seating that provides space for an adult sitting behind the front-seat passenger and room for a child or cargo behind the driver. Maryland Scion said that these unique features will make the iQ the smallest four-seat car available in the U.S.

And there’s also room for a wide range of standard equipment, such as:

• 11 airbags, including Scion’s first driver- and front-passenger seat-cushion airbags
• A peppy and responsive 1.3-liter I4 engine that makes 94 hp and 89 lb.-ft. of torque
• A 160-watt AM/FM/CD/HD/USB audio system with streaming audio capability
• Eye-catching exterior design
• A leather-wrapped, flat-bottomed steering wheel with integrated audio controls
• Advanced suspension setups with MacPherson struts in the front and a compact torsion-beam rear suspension
• Seven bold exterior colors—Blizzard Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Black Sand Pearl, Hot Lava, Pacific Blue Metallic and Black Currant Metallic

“Scion prides itself on being an innovative brand with a lineup of iconic vehicles that set automotive trends,” said Jack Hollis, vice president of Scion. “The iQ is the fourth vehicle in the family, and it will define the premium micro-subcompact segment as the choice for new urbanites who want clever transportation without a sacrifice in style or new features.”

The micro-subcompact Scion iQ will be arriving to dealerships this fall, but it will come loaded with plenty of quality features despite its ultra-small size.

Toyota engineered this vehicle to be small in size, but large in capability. Its design incorporates a compact front-mounted differential, high-mount steering rack with electronic power-steering, and a compact air-conditioning unit all amount to significant decreases in front-end length. Additionally, the iQ is equipped with slim-back front seats optimize rear legroom, while the “3+1” offset seating arrangement allows one adult to sit behind the front passenger and a child or small package behind the driver.

“Scion prides itself on being an innovative brand with a lineup of iconic vehicles that set automotive trends,” said Jack Hollis, vice president of Scion. “The iQ is the fourth vehicle in the family, and it will define the premium micro-subcompact segment as the choice for new urbanites who want clever transportation without a sacrifice in style or new features.”

Powering the Scion iQ is a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 94 horsepower and 89 pound-feet of torque. With the help of the latest dual VVT-i technology, the iQ’s engine has a broad powerband, but requires less fuel and emits fewer emissions. Scion Maryland tells us the iQ is rated an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV-II) and achieves an EPA-estimated combined fuel economy rating of 37 miles per gallon,

The iQ comes packed with safety features such as the Star Safety System, which includes antilock Brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TRAC), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Smart Stop Technology brake-override. There’s even an industry leading 11 standard airbags, including the world’s first rear window airbag.

Since Scion is known for appealing to a youthful crowd, it’s no surprise that the iQ comes standard with a AM/FM/CD/HD/USB 160-watt maximum output Pioneer audio system. There’s even an optional 200-watt maximum output Pioneer Premium audio system enhanced with a 5.8-inch LCD touch-screen display, featuring iTunes tagging, Pandora internet radio connected through iPhone, and six RCA outputs to add external amplifiers.

The 2012 Scion iQ will begin arriving at dealerships on the west coast starting this October with a price tag of $15,265. The car will be available in other regions of the country beginning in early 2012.

The all-new Scion iQ, which is sold globally as a Toyota, will arrive in the United Sates in October with a price tag $15,995.

The iQ will initially scheduled to enter Scion’s lineup this summer, but supply constraints stemming from the March 11 earthquake forced Toyota to change its launch date. However, with factories up and running, Toyota is moving forward with the model’s launch this fall.

Toyota will rollout the iQ in three parts, beginning with its western U.S. launch in October, followed by the South in January 2012, and finally the East and Midwest states receiving the iQ after January.

Like other Scion models, the new iQ will come standard with plenty of features, such as Pandora integration. And, like other Scions, buyers will be able to personalize their iQ with a host of options such as carbon fiber trim, lowering springs, and subwoofers. An all-electric version will also arrive early next year.

Toyota has long been known for producing small cars, and the strategy has certainly paid off. With rising gas prices and economic uncertainly, small cars have fueled Toyota’s sales sucess worldwide. Hoping to continue its dominance in the economy car segment, Toyota will be pushing to bring the small but curvy iQ car to the U.S.

Measuring a mere 9.8 feet in length, the Toyota iQ is smaller than Toyota’s smallest car, the Yaris subcompact. At the upcoming New York Auto Show, the iQ will be featured, but it will be wearing a Scion badge. It has already on sale in Japan is arriving in Europe shortly, but the iQ’s North American presence has yet to be finalized. Dealers across the country from  San Diego Toyota dealers to Boston Toyota dealers expect that the turnout in New York will be a deciding factor.

In Europe, the small but curvy Toyota iQ is intended to draw customers away from other popular mini cars, especially the Smart. As a four-seater, the iQ is larger than the Smart, but smaller than most cars categorized as subcompact. In Japan, the iQ is geared toward drivers in highly urbanized areas where drivers need to maneuver in tight spaces, which is why Los Angeles Toyota believe the iQ will become popular among LA drivers. Best of all, the Toyota iQ gets around 54 miles per gallon, making it an inexpensive alternative to a hybrid.

The Toyota iQ name was derived from the qualities that engineers wanted the vehicle to exude, including individuality and quality. As the ‘bigger is better’ mantra is slowing eroding away, Albany Toyota dealers say the Toyota iQ is intended to further dissolve the misconceptions that small cars lack fun and quality.

While the Toyota iQ is shaping up to be a truly global model, Garden Grove Toyota dealers admit that the car still has high hopes when it comes to battling stagnant auto sales worldwide. That being said, interest in the compact remains high, and dealers expect that such a car will still be able to draw in consumers. Plus as a Scion-branded model, expect ample Toyota car parts and personalization options available.

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Look for more updates from the New York Auto Show here at Toyota in the News.