2014 Scion Xd Base on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Scion grabs Franco and Urkel in Weird move to sell iM and iA

Scion is prepping the advertising campaign for the new iA and iM and as so many automakers have done before, it's recruited some celebrity talent. It's choice of actors, though, is kind of strange. First, we have Mr. James Franco, star of This Is The End and generally weird dude. He pitches both the iA and iM, playing two different roles. While in the iA, he's James Franco The Actor, while the iM sees him shift into an "experimental artist." Along with talking about how strange it is that "someone so complex" would drive a "practical" car, Scion's narrator goes as far as admitting that it's kind of weird that the budget manufacturer was even able to scoop the Hollywood talent. The second spokesman, though, is even stranger. It's none other than Jaleel White, best known as Steven Q. Urkel from 1990s sitcom Family Matters. He stars alongside, um, Urkel (not to mention a rather annoying laugh track). In a rather weird spot that highlights the dual-zone climate control, White stars alongside a wax figurine of his iconic television character, even dropping one of his famous lines at the end. And finally, while this one doesn't have a celebrity endorsement, Scion prepared a third spot to support its new iA. Featuring a wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man, it's perhaps the weirdest of the three videos. We have Franco's video at the top of the page, while the Urkel/White spot and wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man clip are available below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Scion Brings the 'Weird' with James Franco and Jaleel White New Ad Campaign for Scion iA and iM Celebrates Everything Out of the Ordinary September 14, 2015 TORRANCE, Calif. (Sept. 14, 2015) – Scion has always been a little weird. With no-haggle pricing, standard premium features and cars shaped like toasters, Scion has proudly done things differently. Now, actors James Franco, Jaleel White, and an inflatable tube man take the all-new Scion iM and iA for a spin in the brand's newest ad campaign, titled "Weird, Right?" This is the largest marketing campaign for Scion since the brand's launch in 2003. The wave of weird contains three :30 TV spots.

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:

Toyota preparing Scion-badged Nissan Juke fighter

As we've said on multiple occasions, the sub-compact crossover market is The Next Big Thing™. With that in mind, Toyota's lack of a competitor to the new breed of super-small, super-cute crossovers like the Nissan Juke, Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3, and Jeep Renegade has been especially glaring. But as these photos show, the hole in the Japanese giant's lineup could soon be filled. Our spies captured this heavily disguised prototype testing in the deserts of the American southwest, signaling that Toyota is preparing to wade into the Nissan Juke's space by offering a tiny, but very heavily styled crossover of its own. Our spy photographers call the cute ute's look "aggressive," citing inspiration from the Toyota C-HR concept from the 2014 Paris Motor Show. Based on the meaty wheels and tires and what we can see through the camo, we're inclined to agree with their assessment. Underneath that sheet metal, we're told the new car rides on Toyota's new NGA platform. Like the Juke, a four-cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission will be on offer, although there's no telling whether Toyota will follow its rival's enthusiast beat and offer a six-speed manual version. What we find most interesting about all of this conjecture, though, is what it means for Scion, rather than its parent. Introducing a small crossover is the next logical step for Toyota's troubled sub-brand, and would serve as a delectable followup to the recently released iA sedan and iM hatch. Such a three-model lineup, when combined with the enthusiast-oriented FR-S, would transform Scion into a force to be reckoned with in the entry level space. Supporting this conjecture isn't too hard, either. As the spy photos show, this camo'd tester is being supported by a xB, the closest thing Scion (or its parent company, for that matter) have to a sub-compact CUV. It's unclear just when this new model will make its debut, but if Toyota hopes to make inroads into this popular new segment, this CUV will need to arrive before its extremely competent rivals can establish a solid foothold. Related Video: