LA Show 2010: Scion Unveils New xB RS 8.0 Special

If there's one thing we can be sure to see at U.S. motor shows it's a limited production version of a Scion model. For the 2010 LA Show, Toyota's small car division has readied the 2011 xB Release Series 8.0 that will begin arriving in dealerships later this month.

The RS 8.0 is offered in a new color called Voodoo Blue, which is not currently available on any other Scion model, and is fitted with a four-piece body kit from Kenstyle that includes front and rear lower lips, side skirts and a $320 optional color-keyed rear spoiler. As with most RS models, there are no alloy wheels included in the package.

What you do get though is a sunroof, which features power tilt and slide function not currently available on regular xB models. Other interior upgrades include seats and door-panel trim covered in an exclusive black fabric with blue color-tuned highlights and unique floor mats embroidered in blue with the "xB RS 8.0" logo.

Scion plans to keep production limited to 2,000 units, each carrying a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $18,405 with a manual transmission, and $19,355 with an automatic transmission, not including a $720 delivery, processing and handling fee.

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Scion has Humor: All-Stretched out Cartel xB Limo

With the annual SEMA Show near the world's most famous Strip almost upon us (November 2 to 5), automakers and tuners alike are rushing in to give us an early preview of their custom proposals. The most recent case-in-point: the "All Stretched Out Cartel xB".

The name says it all, but just to clarify, Cartel [King] is the nickname of one of the tuners involved in the creation of the VIP themed, super-long Scion xB, Jeremy Lookofsky. Though, we could see this customized xB being a hit with certain other cartels... Gallery after the jump.

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GMC Granite Concept: Scion xB-Sized Crossover Breaks Cover in Detroit

The annual auto show that kicked off in Detroit today saw the world debut of the GMC Granite Concept, a small crossover proposal with swing-out back doors aimed at a new generation of young buyers who would never give the brand's larger SUV's a second look.

Measuring 161.3-inch (4,097 mm) in length, 70.3-inch (1,786 mm) in width and 60.5-inch (1,536 mm) height with a wheelbase of 103.6-inch (2,631 mm), the Granite is roughly the same size as the Toyota group's 'boxy' Scion xB.

Even though GM did not say what front-wheel drive platform was used for the concept, the wheelbase length suggests it's based on the Chevy Cruze.

Power for the Granite concept comes from GM's 1.4-liter turbocharged four-pot that's linked to a six-speed transmission.

The boxy-shaped GMC concept gets four doors, the rear hinged at the back. There's no pillar between the front and rear doors, supposedly making the Granite easier to enter, exit and load.

The design of the vehicle's cabin is said to have been inspired by the design of aircraft-type mechanical instruments and precision tools.

Highlights include the reconfigurable interior as the front passenger and right rear seats can flip up and fold in toward the center console, creating a long, unobstructed storage space while the Granit's cargo area features numerous compartments to store items.

GM declined to say whether it is planning to introduce a production version of the Granite.

GMC Teases Scion xB-Sized Urban Utility Concept Before Detroit Show

General Motors has published two teaser photos of the GMC-branded Urban Utility Concept ahead of its world premiere at next week's 2010 Detroit Auto Show. The firm describes the crossover as "a new breed of truck that's as efficient as it is chic, innovative as it is functional" noting that GMC's goal was "to create the next generation of urban mobility, fusing a flexible, functional social space with an urban-box design that's equally at home at the cabin or the club."

One of the pictures released by GM shows an outline of the Urban Utility Concept and compares it with GMC's larger Terrain and the Scion xB. As you can see, GMC's concept model is roughly the same size as the xB.

But that's about all we have on the concept model. More to come next week - unless someone spills the beans earlier, that is.

Link: GM Lab

Scion to Debut 2010 xB RS 7.0 Limited Edition with DAMD Bodykit at LA Auto Show

Another auto show, another special edition Scion model. This time, Toyota's youthful Scion division will be displaying the 2010 xB Release Series 7.0 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. But before you get excited and all, be advised that the xB RS 7.0 is not a performance model as it retains the standard xB's 158-horsepower 2.4-liter engine.

What it does get is a distinct purple exterior finish combined with a four-piece DAMD body kit that includes front and rear lower lips along with side skirts and an optional rear spoiler.

There's also a sport exhaust system with twin double-walled tips while the car's stance and handling are further enhanced with the TRD lowering springs that bring the ride height down over an inch. Oddly enough, the xB RS 7.0 does not come equipped with alloy wheels.

Inside, the RS 7.0 option provides a little more exclusivity with specific black fabric seats featuring color-tuned highlights and embroidered 'RS' logos along with a leather-wrapped RAZO GT Formula Spec shift knob.

Scion said that only 2,000 units of the xB RS 7.0 will be built, with each one featuring an individually numbered stainless-steel badge.

The xB RS 7.0 will begin arriving in dealerships later in December 2009, with prices starting from $18,320 with a manual transmission, and $19,270 with an automatic transmission. To that you'll have to add a delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $670.