New 180hp 2011 Scion tC Debuts – 2010 New York Auto Show
By Joey Leh, Photograph courtesy Scion
Scion had little reason to muck with the tC for its second-generation design. As the brand’s top seller, the tC was already a hit among young, often first-time buyers. It’s combination of price, design, customization, capability and performance ensured its place in college parking lots across the US. But, six years down the line, Scion had to do something to reinvent its sporty flagship.
To all the OR readers who were hoping for rear-wheel drive or turbocharged/V6 power – sorry, not gonna happen. Keep your fingers crossed for the FT-86 instead. What the new 2nd-generation 2011 Scion tC does have is enough improvements to make it a stronger, better version of the original tC.
Using an all-new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with dual VVT-i, the tC now puts out 180hp and 173 lb/ft of torque to the front wheels. That’s an improvement of 19hp and 11 lb/ft of torque over the old tC. Replacing the old five-speed transmission is a new six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic with “sequential shift”.
Not to be confused with a true sequential gearbox or dual-clutch system, the tC comes a conventional automatic that allows the driver to manually select gears.
The 2011 tC also comes with a new chassis design, featuring a conventional MacPherson strut front but a double-wishbone rear suspension design. Ride height is also lowered when compared with the first tC. Larger 18-inch alloy wheels are now standard, bigger to wrap around huge 16-inch disc brakes. Yes, those are incredibly massive brakes and yes, that’s a good thing.
The tC comes equipped with all the standard driver’s aids including anti-lock brakes, vehicle stability control, traction control, brake force distribution and braking assist. When factoring these electronics in with the new suspension, brakes, wheels, transmission and power increase, it’s obvious that Scion had performance on its mind with the new tC.
The look and feel of the 2011 tC even gives off an aura of speed. The new three-spoke steering wheel features a new shape and flat bottom, growing closer in tactile feel to that of a racing wheel. The new seats are supportive and grippy while the center console wraps inward to surround the driver.
The exterior of the car is also much more striking, with a sharper-edged and more aggressive appearance that seems to combine elements of the Chevy Camaro with the Scion FUSE concept car shown a few years ago. With its lower ride height, larger wheels and sharper face, the Scion tC has dumped any notion of a conservative past in favor of a more mean look.
Either way, after seeing the striking Five Axis customized 2011 tC, we were sold on its looks. We followed along with the Five Axis team as they finished up the car and debuted it at the 2010 New York Auto Show. With even bigger fender flares, a larger front airdam and sculpted side skirts, the Five Axis tC takes the standard Scion re-design and runs wild with it.
The customized showcar is all gruff and growl, with a muscled look that would fit a 800hp monster. Five Axis didn’t quite give it that much kick under the hood but we hope to see this kit for sale soon and fit to some future racing tCs.
