cars-trend: Scion Concepts

Scion, the Toyota brand that's made its name as a purveyor of hip, youth-oriented cars, is a regular at the SEMA show. The Scion presence at the 2009 SEMA show is no different, as the brand is rolling four xBs, two xDs, and a tC onto the Las Vegas Convention Center show floor. Here's a look at what will be on display.
Cartel Epic tC
Cartel Scion Tc Open
Vying for the title of the wildest car in this bunch is the Cartel Epic tC. Cartel started by removing the roof and rear glass, then chopping down the windshield height and crafting two long, thin rails that run from the windshield to the trunk on either side of the car. The open-air car eschews windows save for the windshield for a near-convertible driving experience, so long as it doesn't rain. Inside, a custom dash moves the gauges to the center and adds a new arcing center console. Custom low-rise bucket seats and interior panels are wrapped in white and red leather, the latter of which is embossed with Cartel, Scion and Rockstar Energy Drinks logos. Out back, the reverse-opening trunk hides a massive stereo system.
Under the hood, Cartel added a TRD supercharger and limited slip differential, a DME sport header and its own custom side-exit exhaust. A Master Image air bag suspension drops the car as low as it can possibly go on its 22-in wheels, which Cartel designed and Vellano built. Above them, custom front and rear fascias and pulled-out fenders are finished in a black-over-white custom paint job.
Brandon Leung xB
Brandon Leung Scion Xb Front View
Dueling with Cartel's tC for the title of wildest custom Scion is the Brandon Leung xB. The box-on-wheels Scion has been reimagined as a small pickup truck that harkens back to the classic trucks of the '40s, '50s, and '60s. Advanced Design Fabrication created the truck conversion as well as the new grille, which is mated to a Five Axis Design lip kit and Mooneyes bullet fender mirrors, while 20-in moonbeam wheels and a wood-floored bed complete the retro look. Inside, ADF built a complete custom interior with a roll cage, Simpson harnesses, a custom bench seat, and a massive stereo from Pioneer.
Brandon Leung Scion XB Rear View
Under the hood, Leung's team went to town on the motor with internal performance parts from Brian Crower, a DC Sports header, custom head and exhaust work from ADF, a NOS dual-stage nitrous fogger system and TRD heavy duty clutch, limited-slip differential and short shifter. An Air Lift Company air suspension drops the truck to the ground and a TRD strut tower brace and rear sway bar keep things in line while TRD four-piston brakes provide stopping duty.
Brandon Leung Scion XB Front Three Quarters View
Brandon Leung Scion XB Front View
Brandon Leung Scion XB Interior View
Brandon Leung Scion XB Bed With Bike
Brandon Leung Scion XB Rear Top View
Brandon Leung Scion XB Rear View
Kogi xD by MV Designz
Mv Designz Kogi Scion Xd Rear View
Next up in the battle for the title of wildest Scion is the Kogi xD by MV Designz. Partnering up with Los Angeles' famous Kogi Korean BBQ trucks (think taco truck but with phenomenal Korean BBQ), MV Designz converted a Scion xD into a mini Kogi van that's fully functional. The driver's rear door pops straight out to reveal a cutting board and a mini-fridge while the passenger's rear door pops straight out to reveal an ice chest and a sink with a reverse-osmosis system. In the rear, what used to be the lower portion of the rear hatch now pops straight out to reveal an electric grille while the rear glass pops straight up and houses two video screens for entertainment while the food is cooking. Each tail light also pops straight out revealing utensil and condiment storage on either side.
Scion, the Toyota brand that's made its name as a purveyor of hip, youth-oriented cars, is a regular at the SEMA show. The Scion presence at the 2009 SEMA show is no different, as the brand is rolling four xBs, two xDs, and a tC onto the Las Vegas Convention Center show floor. Here's a look at what Scion will have on display.
As if turning the xD into a mobile kitchen wasn't enough, MV Designz also added its own body kit consisting of new front and rear fascias, side skirts, and hood. 19-in DPE wheels hide a Tein coilover suspension kit and Rotora big brakes. They then finished the car with a custom leather and suede interior and a monster Alpine sound and video system.
Five Axis Scion xB
Five Axis Design Djxb Two Front
A mobile kitchen is certainly cool, but so too is a mobile DJ booth. Five Axis built a Scion xB into a mobile DJ system for a previous show and now the company is looking to outdo itself with the DJxB-Two. Unfortunately, Five Axis is only telling us the car's specifications at this point, so we don't know just how wild it might be. Considering the fact that the first DJxB featured a platform that extended out from the rear of the car and used the rear hatch as part of the DJ's equipment stand and mounted speakers all along the insides of the rear doors, we expect the DJxB-Two to be particularly impressive.
What we do know is that it features a custom body kit from Five Axis that eliminates the rear side windows and finishes the car in custom Molten Lava red paint. Custom 18-in Five Axis wheels hide an air bag suspension while a custom dual exhaust wakes up the engine. The inside of the car is chock full of professional DJ equipment and a 2000-watt speaker system to ensure that the DJxB-Two will be heard as well as seen.
Rally Spec xD
Rally Spec Scion Xd Front View
Taking an entirely different approach is the 0-60 Magazine and Sparco collaboration that resulted in a full-fledged Rally Spec xD. Inside, the interior has been stripped and replaced with a custom roll cage, race seats, race pedals, race quick-release steering wheel, a communications system, and more.
Outside, a B&G custom RS2 coilover setup raises the xD up on its Volk 15-in wheels and BFG Rally Tires while Performance Friction Brakes handle the stopping. PIAA lights show the way while carbon-fiber body parts including the hood, rear hatch, and wing lighten the load. A Greddy racing exhaust helps bring out the best of the xD's engine.
Eneri Abillar xB
Eneri Abillar Scion Xb Front View
On the comparatively subtle side of things, the Eneri Abillar xB goes for a classic widebody look courtesy of some massive fender flares. 20-in Jline wheels fill out those massive fenders while riding on an Air Lift suspension with TRD strut bars backed up by Wilwood brakes. Custom front and rear fascias, shaved door handles, and a Design Craft exhaust complete the look.
Eneri Abillar Scion XB Front View
The real trick is inside, though. In the rear, the xB's rear seats have been replaced with a wrap-around couch over a custom wood floor facing a big flatscreen TV. Up front are Yonaka Ronin seats in leather and a massive Pioneer audio and visual system, mostly for the enjoyment of the rear-seat passengers.
Eneri Abillar Scion XB Front Three Quarters View
Eneri Abillar Scion XB Rear Three Quarters View
Eneri Abillar Scion XB Interior View
Scion xB by Peter Colello
Peter Colello Scion Xb Front View
Rounding out the group is a more subtle-looking but still-wild xB by Peter Colello. Colello has traded some of the over-the-top styling of other cars for a serious helping of performance. That means lots of performance goodies including a BullsEye turbo with Mishimoto intercooler, nitrous, a Magnaflow exhaust with Descendant turbo manifold and down pipe as well as a custom wire harness and tune from Descendant and an AEM controller. Below, Colello's xB rides on a Universal air suspension backed up by big Wilwood brakes with six-piston calipers behind 20-in TIS wheels.
Peter Colello Scion XB Front View
To let people know this is no ordinary xB, Colello added a nine-piece BRS Autodesign widebody kit with new front and rear fascias, fender flares, and side skirts. The hood, hatch, rear spoiler, and roof were replaced with lightweight carbon-fiber parts, as were many trim pieces and the mirrors. Shaved windshield wipers and door handles and tail light tinted to match the Teal Blue Pearl paint complete the bodywork.
Scion ConceptsAll of this surrounds an interior designed with racing in mind. NRG race seats, harnesses, steering wheel, and shift and hand brake knobs keep you in control and a custom roll cage keeps you protected. Carbon fiber accents adorn the custom suede dash and interior panels and a massive sound system provides as much audio performance as there is engine performance.