2011 Scion Xd on 2040-cars

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2016 Scion iM shows some sharp styling from a frugal five-door [w/video]

Scion has been starving for new products for some time, and the entry-level brand has finally gotten two of them at the 2015 New York Auto Show. Of the duo, the iM is probably the more intriguing one because it brings a slightly retouched look for the Toyota Auris across the Atlantic from Europe. While nowhere near as aggressive as the concept from the 2014 LA Auto Show, the production iM is still a fairly attractive five-door. The front air dam features a stylish mix of gloss black and body color touches that look great, and the rear is dominated by a big set of wraparound taillights. It also wears an attractive set of standard 17-inch wheels with a layered effect for the spokes. Buyers have a single engine option, which is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 137 horsepower, but the mill can be linked up to either a six-speed manual or a CVT with a stepped-shifting mode. The iM should be easy on fuel bills too thanks to an estimated 37 miles per gallon highway from the most efficient version. Scion's new five-door hatch arrives at dealers this fall, and the brand expects prices to start at less than $20,000. Check out all of the shots in the gallery from the New York show floor for an early peek.

Scion's would-be savior C-HR spied before its Toyota rebadging

Scion is dead, but one of its future products, the C-HR concept, is still in development for launch as a Toyota. Toyota does a thorough job of hiding the C-HR's rakish shape on these test cars, but we can spot the concept's design cues. For example, the pointed nose and narrow headlights are present, and the giant box on the roof can't hide the downward arch for the coupe-like rear. The back doors on these examples look larger than before, which suggests a switch to a traditional five-door body rather than the hidden rear openings on the concept. The change would offer easier access to the backseat and make the C-HR a better competitor in the segment against vehicles like the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3, and Jeep Renegade. The C-HR debuted as a boldly styled three-door crossover at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. Toyota later restyled the CUV with a more angular shape and extra doors. We most recently saw the compact crossover with Scion branding at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. Rumors suggest the production model's debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and it could arrive at dealers in the latter half of 2016. The powertrain lineup likely consists of a four-cylinder engine with a CVT and possibly a hybrid version, too. You'll also get to see the C-HR on the track because Toyota will race the crossover in the 2016 Nurburgring 24 Hours. Related Video:

World Car Of The Year down to its final four

Judges for the World Car of the Year Award have narrowed down the finalists to just four vehicles. Out of a total of 42 entries, only the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Porsche Boxster/Cayman, Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT-86 and Volkswagen Golf remain standing. For Volkswagen, this marks the second consecutive year the company has had an entry among the finalists, and the fourth time since 2009. In order to qualify, a vehicle must be on sale on two continents during the span of time between January 1, 2013 and May 30, 2013. A panel of 66 journalists from 23 countries then vote on the finalists.
Three vehicles have made the cut for the last round of voting on the 2013 World Performance Car as well, with the Cayman/Boxster and FR-S/BRZ/GT-86 running against the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. Meanwhile, the Renault Zoe, Tesla Model S and Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid are duking it out for the World Green Car Award. Finally, the World Car Design of the Year Award is up for grabs between the Aston Martin Vanquish, Jaguar F-Type, and the Mazda6. Check out the full press release below. Overall winners will be presented at the 2013 New York Auto Show.