Gallery: Step Right Up To Scion's SEMA Sideshow
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With dealerships that encourage customization and a vibrant aftermarket scene, Scion is a natural fit for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, which opened today in Las Vegas. Toyota's tuner division didn't disappoint, bringing a coterie of eye-catching concepts. They didn't do it on their own. The concepts were drawn up by the titans of tuning, the rulers of ride-pimping, the scions of their field, if you will. Each mod is sure to quadruple the base price of the car, though most of them have so little ground clearance they couldn't make it over a speed bump without an insurance claim. Customization isn't about return on investment, though. It's about the wow factor, and these cars sure have it. From nitrous bottles to iPad docks, here's the best of what Scion has to offer. *Photos: Scion*
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Cartel Scion iQ --------------- The folks at Cartel reimagined the iQ as a rolling pit stop. The result is the Pit Boss iQ, a toolbox, tire rack and internet hotspot that just happens to be a car, too. It's the perfect toy for someone with a massive car collection, and a good chase vehicle if we ever decide to drive across the country -- or across town -- in a Renault Fuego.
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Cartel Scion iQ --------------- Driving a bright blue minicar with massive tires in the back, it might be hard not to look like a tool. If your minicar is the Cartel iQ, it won't be hard to find a tool, either. This car *is* the Pit Boss, after all. So instead of a trunk, it's got toolbox drawers from Snap-on filled with wrenches, sockets and drivers. Inside, the dashboard has been replaced by an iPad which controls all car functions.
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686 Scion xB ------------ Did someone accidentally invert the colors of this xB in Photoshop? Nah, it's just a collaboration between Scion Racing, Spin Imaging and 686 snowboarding apparel. It's inspired by snowboarding gear -- from its helmet-like roof to the New Balance tires. The 686 Scion is actually wearing a snowboarding outfit, with an exterior that's waterproof and breathable. There's even a zipper.
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686 Scion xB ------------ This custom Scion is brought to you by the letters x and B, for xtreme boarding. There's ample room for a budding Shaun White to store tons of gear, seats are inspired by bindings and the floormats are even heated to melt snow and warm cold feet.
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Scion iQ-RS ----------- Designer Michael Chang screwed a rear wing, front lip and fender flares onto a teeny-tiny Scion iQ, making it look like a subcompact Grand Am racer. He also took out all unnecessary weight -- including the AC -- and replaced a lot of metal with carbon fiber. With a beefed-up suspension and roll cage, this iQ actually looks like it could be a lot of fun. Let's hope it doesn't spur a bunch of copycats all about show, not go.
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Scion iQ RX ----------- From Jon Sibal comes the iQ RX, a minicar with nitrous under the hood and half of a Best Buy in the trunk. With smoked headlamps and a matte paint job you probably won't see it coming, but you'll definitely hear it.
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Scion iQ RX ----------- If the car itself isn't entertaining enough for you, Sibal created an interior complete with an iPad, Xbox 360, 32-inch Samsung 3-D LED TV and more speakers than a Toastmasters convention.
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Scion iQ RX ----------- Watch out for the iQ RX the next time you're out on the road. Seriously, watch out -- because we can't imagine that all those electronic goodies are locked out when the car is in drive.
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Scion iQ-MR ----------- Aston Martin Cygnet ain't your kind of custom iQ? Tatsu gave the iQ a total makeover, with a stainless body à la Delorean, not to mention the mid engine and rear-wheel drive. While the floral wheels might be garish in any other application, on the iQ-MR they're just right.
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Gruppe S tC ----------- From California's Gruppe S comes this custom tC. From the ECU to the roof, nothing on this car has been left stock. Remarkably, it still retains the form of a tC that just left a dealer's lot -- if that dealer had bolted on a massive rear wing. Still, this is one of the most tasteful custom tCs we've seen. Even the WRX-esque gold wheels are a nice touch.
