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.

The iconic Scion xB is a top choice for young drivers looking to broadcast their love of the freshest trends in both technology and music, and you can bet that will come through loud and clear when they get their hands on the latest model. After all, Scion has added Bluetooth connectivity and streaming audio functionality, along with HD Radio, to the list of standard content for the 2012 xB.

That means there are more ways than ever to get the most out of the xB’s powerful audio system, which still features:

• A personalizable organic electroluminescent (OEL) screen that uses less power for a brighter display
• Full AM/FM/CD/HD/USB capabilities with both USB and AUX ports
• Advanced Sound Retriever (ASR) technology for a richer sound quality from digital music
• Three Scion Sound Processing (SSP) equalizer pre-sets
• Six speakers and 160 watts of power
• Steering-wheel-mounted controls
• An RCA output for an external amp that can be used to drive an additional subwoofer or two

Owners of Scion’s ultimate urban utility vehicle can also upgrade to the optional Pioneer Premium sound system that delivers all the features of the standard audio setup as well as a 5.8-inch LCD touchscreen display, iTunes tagging, access to Pandora Internet radio (via iPhone) and six RCA outputs.

The 2012 Scion xB is scheduled to arrive in dealerships this month, showcasing an MSRP that starts at $16,300 with a manual transmission and $17,250 with an automatic.

New details are emerging regarding the upcoming Toyota FT-86 (Scion FR-S), which will launch this fall. According to Scion Dealer Maryland, the highly-anticipated production sports car will be a “basic” and “pure” sports car that will look very close to the original FT-86 Concept. When it arrives in the U.S., it will be sold as the Scion FR-S.

According to Moto Miwa, the founder of Club4AG, a site dedicated to the AE86 (which inspired the FT-86), the new sports car will feature a boxer four-cylinder engine developed with help from Subaru and Yamaha engineers.

Miwa describes how the car was built with tuners and racers in mind, as it includes space near the dash so a roll cage can be installed while keeping the dash intact. Engine mounts and space under the hood have been included so that owners can easily switch out components.

“Never before, has such low-cost niche-car seen so much research, so much development budget, and resourced with so many talents,” says Miwa, who then quotes Chief Engineer Tada-san, who describes the FT-86 as a car endorsed by Akio Toyoda and designed by passion, not a committee.

Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

At its recent annual dealer conference in Las Vegas, Toyota announced that it will launch the Scion iQ electric car in 2012. The electric car will take on a slew of new electrified vehicles, including the Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi i, Chevrolet Volt, and Ford Focus Electric.

Toyota is already the dominant brand when it comes to hybrids, thanks to its Prius line. However, the addition of the Scion iQ will give its youth-oriented brand a much needed jump into the all-electric vehicle market.

Pricing and other details on the 2012 iQ have yet to be released, but pricing is expected to begin under $20,000 at Maryland Scion Dealers and other deaslers. The car will have a very small footprint, similar to the Smart FourTwo. Its range is expected to be around 50 miles, making it most suitable for buyers in urban areas that rarely drive long distances.

Since the iQ will not have a very long range, Toyota’s upcoming Prius plug-in hybrid or RAV4 EV will likely be better suited for those that want to have a greater emissions-free driving range.

Scion has announced that its first release series for the second generation tC sports coupe will hit showrooms this summer. The 2012 tC Release Series 7.0 (tC RS 7.0) will get standard amenities like a new Pioneer audio system that features Bluetooth hands-free, Bluetooth streaming audio and HD Radio technology. This model is aimed squarely at the sporty all-new Honda Civic Si.

The 2012 tC Release Series 7.0 comes exclusively in High Voltage yellow exterior paint with contrasting black side view mirrors and black 18-inch alloy wheels. The car’s styling is enhanced further by a TRD body kit that includes front and rear lower valences and side skirts.

The tC will continue to appeal to the youth market with an all-new standard AM/FM/CD/HD/USB 300-watt maximum output Pioneer audio system. In addition to hands-free connectivity and HD Radio, it will feature an organic electroluminescent (OEL) screen with a personalized welcome screen, iPod/USB connectivity, Advanced Sound Retriever (ASR), and a subwoofer RCA output.

Scion will only build 2,200 units of the tC RS 7.0, so if you’re interested you’ll need to act fast. Pricing begins from $20,905 and $21,905 when equipped with a manual and automatic transmission respectively. The base 2012 tC is priced from $18,575.

The all-new Scion tC sports coupe gained a significant jump in power and performance over the previous model, and now the car has gained something just as important: An overall five-star crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to Maryland Toyota, the testing is part of the U.S. New Car Assessment Program and relies on new, more rigorous standards introduced for the 2011 model year.

Helping the tC achieve its five-star performance was a wide range of standard safety features, such as a comprehensive suite of eight airbags, including driver and front passenger airbags, seat-mounted side airbags, driver and front-passenger knee airbags, and side-curtain airbags, along with electronic safety measures like anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, traction control, vehicle stability control and the automaker’s innovative Smart Stop Technology.

Of course, a focus on superior safety is just one part of a tC package that puts just as much emphasis on dynamic driving. Boston Toyota said the 2011 tC rides on a fresh platform that boasts an athletic suspension with front MacPherson struts and a double-wishbone setup at the rear, with larger wheels, wider tires and bigger brakes all doing their share, too. Motivating Scion’s top seller is a robust 2.5-liter I4 engine with dual variable valve timing, a new intake manifold design and a sport-tuned exhaust system. That powerplant is good for an impressive mix of power and efficiency, developing 180 hp while still ringing up an EPA line of 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway—and that’s regardless of whether drivers choose the tC’s upgraded six-speed manual transmission or its six-speed automatic with sequential-shift functionality.

And with an MSRP that starts at just $18,995 at Dallas Toyota, the tC is obviously a safe choice for high-value high performance

Toyota’s edgy, youth-oriented Scion was an immediate success when the line launched in 2003. However, with current sales well below the peak of 173,034 units in 2006, Toyota is betting on a new high-performance coupe to boost sales and interest in the brand.

The Scion FR-S Concept was unveiled last week at the New York International Auto Show, and it successfully garnered plenty of attention. The Scion-branded sport coupe concept borrowed many cues from famous Toyota sports cars of the past, including the AE86 generation of the Corolla and the 2000GT. Its rear-wheel drive platform and boxer engine was also developed with the help of Subaru.

“This is a halo car for our brand,” said Scion’s sales chief, Jack Hollis. “It’s going to stretch us further as a brand.”

Although the FR-S is only a concept, it will be the inspiration for a production model that will arrive very soon. Toyota says the new model will be priced higher than the tC, but it will still come in under $30,000 at dealers like Maryland Scion.

One of the biggest introductions at the 2011 New York Auto Show would undoubtedly have to be the Scion FR-S Concept sports coupe. The concept will serve as the inspiration for a production model that will come to the Scion lineup next year.

The FR-S Concept — which stands for Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport — is Scion’s definition of an authentic rear-wheel-drive sports car. Although it’s intended to deliver style and exhilarating performance, it’s also aimed at being surprisingly flexible and fuel efficient.

“Scion is always experimenting with new things,” said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. “The brand is iconic with the xB, adrenalized by the tC, and groundbreaking with the iQ. The FR-S will expand the brand into yet another new dimension that I know it is truly destined for.”

Although it has all the attitude of a Scion, the FR-S Concept also pays homage to Toyota’s roots. The sports coupe is most inspired by the AE86 generation of the Corolla, better known as the Hachi-Roku, meaning “8-6” in Japanese. The car’s overall profile is also inspired by the Toyota 2000GT. Thanks to its flat 2.0-liter boxer engine and rear-wheel drive configuration, the FR-S Concept is also well-balances with a very low center of gravity.

According to Scion Maryland, under the hood, the naturally-aspirated boxer engine also features Toyota’s D4-S injection system, which utilizes both direct and port injection, resulting in increased horsepower and torque throughout the entire powerband, without sacrificing MPG.

“Akio Toyoda has mentioned that he is going to bring the fun-to-drive spirit back to Toyota,” Hollis said. “I know that the Scion FR-S Concept is one of the ways that he plans to accomplish that.”

The all-new Scion tC has received the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) highest rating, an overall rating of five stars. Denton TX Toyota dealer confirmed the NHTSA found that all Scion models meet or exceed the safety requirements of the federal government.

The all-new Scion tC, which went on sale in October 2010, comes standard with an assortment of safety features. These include eight supplemental restraint system (SRS) airbags, driver and front passenger airbags, seat-mounted side airbags, driver and front-passenger knee airbag, and side curtain airbags.

Chicago Toyota notes that in addition to a bevy of airbags, 2011 tC models come standard with Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TRAC), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Smart Stop Technology (SST).

A tire pressure monitoring system and newly adopted active front headrests are also available on Scion tC models. These safety features come in addition to a long list of standard features that includes 180 horsepower, 6-speed transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels and a 300-watt 8-speaker audio system.

As Toyota expected, the new tC has been achieved top safety ratings, thanks to a wide range of standard and available safety features. For more information, see the Scion tC website, Easton, MD used Scion dealer, or find your nearest Scion dealer.