Scion gets weird with '70s-inspired xB and Slayer tC at SEMA

Tue, 04 Nov 2014

Scion certainly isn't afraid of taking a step into the bizarre at this year's SEMA Show, with at least two concepts that are probably the last thing you would expect from the brand.

First, the company is taking a step back into the 1970s heyday of custom vans with the Scion x Riley Hawk Skate Tour xB seen above. It's painted in an eye-popping shade of orange with an oh-so-retro white, yellow and card red stripe running down both sides. The fenders are connected by a streak of brown, and there's a pop-up skateboard holder on the roof in a matching color scheme to the rest of the body. The Cragar-look wheels trimmed in raised white letter tires and the throwback mirrors really sell the period look. The interior is similarly decked out in disco-era touches like shag carpeting, woodgrain trim and brown leather. In a nod towards the modern, there's a Pioneer media center in the back.

If the xB is too sunshine-feel-good for your style, then the Scion x Slayer Mobile Amp tC goes for an angrier vibe, with inspiration from the heavy metal band Slayer. The exterior is inky black with airbrushed skulls running over each side and the band's crossed-swords emblem on the hood. The motif is carried to the wheels with their blade-shaped spokes. When the custom's suicide doors open, you find a massive Pioneer sound system with a tower of speakers inside that should be loud enough to deafen anyone tempted to turn it up to 11.

Scroll down for the full announcement for both of these attention-grabbing Scion customs.

Scion Scores with SEMA Entries

Early Look at Targa Top FR-S, Slayer tC, Riley Hawk xB and Tuner Challenge Cars

October 30, 2014

TORRANCE, Calif. (Oct. 30, 2014) – Demonstrating a range from retro to ruthless, Scion unveiled its lineup for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas Nov. 4-7, 2014. Six builders put their own interpretations into the Scion tC, FR-S and xB with custom upgrades, individual style and creativity.

Additionally, the newly revealed, two-tone Scion tC Release Series 9.0 demonstrated "show car" style drivers will be able to own this winter. All vehicles were on display ahead of the SEMA Show at a Scion event in Silver Lake, California.

Head-Turning Targa Top FR-S

High quality craftsmanship and an open-air experience came together in the Scion FR-S T1, built by Jeremy Lookofsky of Cartel Customs. The two-tone combination features a black targa top and custom color – Azzuro California Blue – over a muscular, all-metal wide body and integrated rear spoiler. The vehicle has been lowered and sits on custom 19-inch forged wheels. Other vehicle highlights include:

High-mounted custom center exhaust
GReddy street turbo kit
KW coil-over suspension
Wilwood Big Brake Kit with custom nickel-plated finish
OEM Audio+ System 400 complemented by a Pioneer AVIC-8000NEX head unit

"It's an honor being involved with Scion for the seventh consecutive year bringing design concepts to reality and setting the bar for the SEMA Show," Lookofsky said. "We have won two Mothers® design awards and SEMA fan favorite awards throughout the years, and I'm pretty confident our FR-S will come home on a positive note as well."

Killer-Sounding Slayer tC

Mike Vu of MV DESIGNZ translated the look and sound of thrash metal band Slayer into the Scion tC. The "Scion x Slayer Mobile Amp tC" will fascinate fans with a custom paint job with airbrushed logos and skulls, suicide doors and Billet Slayer sword blade wheels with spike-style center caps. The interior turns up the volume even higher with a custom Pioneer audio system with towers of speakers, a custom mixer and a 32-inch monitor for media playback.

Fans will get to see this metal-inspired sports coupe in action when Slayer band members demonstrate its audio capabilities at the SEMA Show by plugging in two guitars to jam without any external equipment.

Retro Rolling Riley Hawk xB

Skateboarding, 1970s style and passion for music blend seamlessly together in "Scion x Riley Hawk Skate Tour xB" built by Scott Kanemura of KMA Productions. Inspired by the interests of professional skateboarder Riley Hawk, the vehicle features both the old and new: wood-grain décor, a mini fridge, shag carpet, an 8-track player, a Big Pioneer Sound System and the ability to play guitar through the audio system using an iPad mini as mixer. To further combine work and play, a cargo box has been integrated with an INNO rack system to store skateboards.

Other fun elements include:
1970s style custom paint pattern with a "fish bowl" side window
Dual side exhaust pipes (non-functional)
Plush captain-style chairs in the front and back
Motorized rear-facing monitor for media play back
A dual-motion table that both slides out and pivots up with storage below

"The Scion xB really does look like something straight from 1975," Riley Hawk said. "From shag carpet to the retro paint job, it's the perfect mix between modern and vintage."

A Trio of Tuner Challenge FR-S Contenders

Three Scion media partners went head-to-head customizing the Scion FR-S as part of the 10th annual Scion Tuner Challenge. Each partner received $15,000 to modify the vehicles drawing inspiration from the details of the FR-S Release Series 1.0.

Super Street, a magazine dedicated to covering high-performance customized cars and lifestyle, reimagined its past Rocket Bunny build into a wider version with wilder colors and more power.

GT Channel, a car video network focused on drifting videos, car racing and new vehicle tests, reworked the FR-S with help from Mine's Tuning, known for tuning Nissans. The focus was on functionality.

Speedhunters, an international collective of photographers, writers and drivers, put together an entry that fused global inspiration from vintage Toyota Racing Development, TRA Kyoto, vintage Trans-Am, pro touring and muscle cars.

To see more of the challenge vehicles and process, visit www.ScionRacing.com for blog entries, photos and videos. A panel of judges will evaluate the entries and announce the $10,000 grand prize winner at the SEMA Show.

To follow other Scion SEMA content, visit www.scionracing.com as well as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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By Chris Bruce