The Scion tC, the best value in the sport coupe market, is offered in a new Spec Package model for 2007, aimed at the tuner segment with a lower price point than the standard model.
"Thanks to its outstanding performance and value, the Scion tC has been a popular model with tuners, and the 2007 tC Spec Package will bolster this model's appeal in that segment," said Mark Templin, Scion vice president. "The tC Spec Package gives the tuner community a 'blank slate' on which to express their own creativity, with the reduction in MSRP helping to get them started."
Since one of the first things a tuner customer changes is a car's wheels, the 2007 Scion tC Spec Package model substitutes steel wheels, P205/55 R16 tires and seven-spoke wheel covers; the standard tC model will continue with 17-inch six-spoke alloy wheels fitted with P215/45Z R17 Bridgestone Potenza Z-rated all-season tires.
Other changes made on the tC Spec Package include a fixed glass panorama roof, unique upholstery, and a urethane steering wheel. This low-volume model will be distinguished by special treatment to the grille and headlight garnish and offered in just four colors (instead of the standard model's seven) – Super White, Flint Mica, Black Sand Pearl and Classic Silver Metallic.
Aside from the new Spec Package, the tC carries over for 2007 with a sun visor with a sliding extension, updated seat fabric and direct tire pressure monitoring system.
Complete Performance Package
The sleek Scion tC sits low and wide, with a 106.3-inch wheelbase and an overall width of 69.1 inches. The long wheelbase contributes to the tC's interior roominess and ride comfort, while a sophisticated four-wheel independent suspension helps to provide responsive handling.
The tC's high-strength architecture allows the strut-type front suspension and double-wishbone rear suspension to help provide an ideal blend of compliance and response. Steering and brake feel have been carefully tuned to provide optimal feedback from the road to the driver.
As expected in a performance car, the Scion tC comes standard with a four-wheel disc brake system. A two-step brake booster increases power assist in proportion to pedal force to provide precise pedal feel. For safety, the tC comes equipped with standard anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). ABS helps to prevent the wheels from locking during severe braking maneuvers, and EBD monitors differences in front- and rear-wheel speeds and distributes optimal braking force to all four wheels.
High-tech Powerplant
The Scion tC serves up fun-to-drive power right from the factory, thanks to its 2.4-liter double overhead-cam four-cylinder engine. This sophisticated powerplant boasts an aluminum cylinder block and head, magnesium cam cover, electronic throttle control and Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i). Tuned specifically for the tC, the engine produces 161 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 162 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,000 rpm.
This CARB-certified Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) engine is mated to a standard five-speed manual transmission or an available electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. The Scion tC has EPA estimated city/highway fuel economy ratings of 22/29 mpg with the manual transmission and 23/30 mpg with the automatic.
High-Performance Audio
Scion has been successfully attracting young, first-time new-car buyers in part by getting in tune with their musical preferences, including the migration from compact disc to digital music formats. Scion was the first brand to offer iPod connectivity and control across its entire lineup.
The tC's standard 160-watt maximum output Pioneer audio system features a centrally-located volume control knob and a mini-jack port located in the center console compartment that allows for connectivity to most portable music players. The mini-jack port allows users to listen to their portable music collection through the tC's six speakers.
A Pioneer AM/FM/CD head unit with Apple iPod control is available as an accessory upgrade for all 2007 Scions. The tC was the first car in its class to integrate track, artist and album information from the iPod into a one-line display on the head unit's screen. Connectivity is achieved by simply plugging the iPod into a port via a connector cable, providing outstanding sound quality through the car's stereo system and constant power to the iPod. Music is controlled through the head unit and steering wheel buttons. The upgrade unit also features audio display color change illumination.
Both the standard and upgrade head units still retain key Scion audio system features such as Scion Sound Processing (SSP) where listeners can choose from three pre-set equalizer settings, satellite radio compatibility, a user-customizable welcome screen and Sound Retouch digital equalization which provides clearer CD sound quality.
