Well, Russ didn't actually say that. He's too nice to say something like that. But, what he does say seems to refute Toyota's inference that IIHS selectively choose certain vehicles for testing and the insinuation that the IIHS was trying to mislead the public by only selecting three cars to fail an "extreme" test. Russ tells us

"Toyota was notified in January that roof strength would be a new test. The IIHS asked automakers to flag any vehicles they'd like to have included. Toyota had plenty of opportunity to flag other Toyota, Lexus or Scion models — including being present at roof strength tests at the IIHS facility — but choose not to. So IIHS assumed that there were no models that met the new guidelines. If there are other vehicles Toyota would want to include they were able to submit them at that time or at any time in the process — including right now."

So basically, bring it Toyota, don't sing it.

This doesn't refute Toyota's other contention that the new test is "extreme." As we said before, we're not sure whether or not the new roof-crush test is extreme, but we will point out again that not only did other automakers have vehicles that passed it, but the 'yota Camry passed it as well. We'll also reiterate we're not sure how far the argument of "it was too hard" will go with consumers and the general public.

Toyota would probably do more to show it stands by their vehicles ability to pass this new roof-crush test by flagging their entire lineup to allow the IIHS to test it. Unless, of course, they know the vehicles won't pass — which, in essence, proves the IIHS point.

Thanks to that wing, the Chris Rado Scion tC holds a handful of front-wheel drive track records, most importantly at Willow Springs, where it managed a 1:22.623 time.

After hacking the little trucklet into existence, Leung also massaged the engine with upgraded valves, valve springs, new cam, a port and polish on the head, performance header, new clutch and nitrous system. It debuts on the floor at SEMA this week. [TruckTrend via PickupTrucks.com]

Interior space, ambiance, amenities, and a certain je ne sais quoi are all necessary when choosing an automotive boudoir. If we're honest, it's often a matter of any port in a storm, but if it's possible to avoid any of these, you should certainly do so.

Car: Toyota Prius

Why it's bad for sex: Let's just get this right out of the way and acknowledge that no one wants to have sex in a Prius. First of all, it's tough to get your swerve on in such an uninspiring object, something that's more consumer good than car. Second, you risk bringing a new life into the world, which will certainly be a waste of precious resources. Third, if you're a Prius owner, the idea of a car being fun is completely alien to you so you have your 20 minutes of lights-off missionary-position relations in the futon like a proper citizen anyway.

Photo: Flickr

Car: Chevrolet Aveo

Why it's bad for sex: Sex is just one of many things you should never attempt with the poor, misbegotten Aveo, including driving it, walking up to it or getting in it. But especially not sex. There's enough room, barely, if you're young, short, and athletic, but men have paid good money for drugs that give them the same hardness as the interior surfaces of this car. The resulting conjugal bruises will get you the wrong kind of reputation .

Photo: Wikipedia

Car: Mazda Miata

Why it's bad for sex: While we love this car unreservedly, we are-like 98% of people-not exhibitionists, and to have any sort of workable sex in this car the top would have to be down. Also, much like 100% of people, we don't like our coitus to get interruptus by a power hardtop suddenly coming down on us because a flailing knee or elbow hit the switch.

Photo: Picasa

Car: Scion TC

Why it's bad for sex: While this cheap coupe is, or will be, the first car of a lot of eager young folks in an exploratory phase of their lives, we urge them to bring a blanket and find a wooded area. The TC is not so much a car as a platform for interior accessorizing, and getting into youthful carnal hijinks in this thing means you run a risk of getting something stuck in your illuminated cupholder. Buying a faux-billet LED-lit shift knob is one sort of loss of dignity; having a gloved proctologist hand it back to you in front of the entire ER is another.

Photo: Wikipedia

Car: Chevrolet Camaro

Why it's bad for sex: Traditionally, the two of you jump into the back seat of your two-door muscle coupe and proceed to put some sneaker prints on the headliner. However, just sitting in the back of the current Camaro will imprint the top of your head into the current headliner. And the front seats just don't recline enough or give enough leg room for advanced physical-intimacy contingencies. This is probably the only category of the contemporary muscle-car wars the Challenger wins going do- er, away.

Photo: Wikipedia

Car: Maybach 62

Why it's bad for sex: Because one's sex life is none of one's chauffer's business. Why, the very idea.

Photo: Wikipedia

Car: Mini (any)

Why it's bad for sex: Owners report that repeated heavy jolts can damage the rear shock mounts, resulting in reduced handling performance and a dramatic drop in ride quality, especially in early models. Also, even in a Clubman, there's no damn room in the thing.

Photo: Wikipedia

Car: Ariel Atom

Why it's bad for sex: Although a certain type of person might look at the Atom and notice the abundance of tie-down points, the multiple partner-handcuffing options, and the overall masochistic glory of this incredibly capable track car, it is in fact $65,000. For that price, you could afford any number of studded-leather bedsteads with enough left over for chains and whips.

Photo: candidcarcritic.com

Car: Smart ForTwo

Why it's bad for sex: Seriously, AskMen actually recommended this car, albeit in cabrio form. If you're more into achievement than enjoyment this could work, but in that case you'll probably have sex anywhere and everywhere anyway and don't need any sort of list to tell you. I mean, we're into bragging rights as much as the next person, but not bragging for bragging's sake, and sexually speaking the Smart hardly has enough room ForOne.

Photo: Wikipedia

Car: Dodge Caliber

Why it's bad for sex: Because it's just plain bad. The Caliber may, in fact, be the worst all-around car made today, and the idea of having sex in one has the same emotional resonance as having sex in a FEMA trailer or a Goodwill dumpster. Getting past the fact it's uncomfortable and it's not as roomy as it should be for a wagon/crossover/compromise-mobile, the Caliber is just kind of depressing. And if word gets out, you'll always be "the person who had sex with [other loser] in a Dodge Caliber," meaning you probably won't ever have sex again.

Photo: Wikipedia

Emphasizing vehicles for family use, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety normally crash tests four-door vehicles. However, to evaluate the extent automakers are extending new crashworthiness improvements to two-door vehicles — you know, for kids — they've recently conducted front, side and rear tests of 2009 model year two-doors. First up — the 2009 Chevy Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic and Scion tC along with the more-of-a-mid-size Volvo C30.

The results? The big winners were the Ford Focus and the Volvo C30, but "overall the results for 2-door cars are good news," David Zuby, Institute senior vice president for vehicle research says. "All but one earn good ratings in our frontal offset test. Only two of the 5 earn this rating for protection in side crashes, but none of the 5 earns anything less than an acceptable rating. This is pretty good, considering how demanding the side test is. It simulates being struck by a pickup or SUV."

See the rest of the results in the gallery by clicking the next button to the right.

[Images/Data via IIHS]

2009 Volvo C30
Awarded Top Safety Pick

TEST: 31 MPH Side Impact Test
RESULT: Good

2009 Volvo C30
Awarded Top Safety Pick

TEST: 40 MPH Frontal Offset
RESULT: Good
COMMENTS: "The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

2009 Ford Focus Coupe
Awarded Top Safety Pick

TEST: 40 MPH Frontal Offset
RESULT: Good
COMMENTS: "The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained reasonably well."

2009 Ford Focus Coupe
Awarded Top Safety Pick

TEST: 31 MPH Side Impact Test
RESULT: Good

2009 Honda Civic 2-door

TEST: 40 MPH Frontal Offset
RESULT: Good
COMMENTS: "The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well."

2009 Honda Civic 2-door

TEST: 31 MPH Side Impact
RESULT: Acceptable

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt 2-door

TEST: 40 MPH Frontal Offset
RESULT: Good
COMMENTS: "The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained reasonably well."

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt 2-door

TEST: 31 MPH Side Impact
RESULT: Acceptable

2009 Scion tC

TEST: 40 MPH Frontal Offset
RESULT: Acceptable
COMMENTS: "The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well… a high head acceleration occurred when the dummy's head hit the steering wheel through the airbag."

2009 Scion tC

TEST: 31 MPH Side Impact
RESULT: Acceptable

Everything is unofficial at this point, but the novel approach to FWD aerodynamics registered a 1:22.623 lap at Willow Springs raceway — only four seconds slower than a track-built Acura NSX running the same day. Track officials are still sifting through the record books, but it's believed Rado has set a new lap record for FWD cars, and that's while dealing with turbocharger issues.

The car may look goofy, but you can't argue with the results. Form following function is a hallmark of racing, and we're happy to see this guy chucking convention on it's ear, damning the aesthetics and putting speed at the forefront of the sport. We're sure his competitors are already taking notes. (Thanks for the tip Dan>)

[Speedhunters, World Racing]

Photo credit: Mike Garrett

This car could not be less like a real Scion tC if it tried and, for drifting, it's probably a good thing it isn't. First, the car has been converted into a more drift-appropriate rear-wheel drive setup. Gone is the dinky four-banger, replaced instead with a Toyota NASCAR V8 putting out 650 HP and 450 lb-ft of torque through a four-speed shifter. The car was prepped by AEM and is a beast to behold.

The car will compete in the Formula D series and, obviously, is still sponsored by Rockstar Energy Drink.

[Toyota via Inside Line, AutoBlog]

An unnamed woman attempted to ram a patrol car in Long Beach, CA. The car, responding to calls of a woman screaming in an intersection, then followed the Scion on a 40 mile chase at freeway speeds breaching the 100 MPH (xB's can go that fast?) barrier. The chase included moments where the Scion and officers drove against traffic, in circles in the median and most impressively, included a couple seconds when the woman exited the car to scream at the cops and flip them off. She was finally boxed in, pulled from the car and taken into custody, but seriously, that's a whole lot of crazy right there. [Huffington Post]

[Source: Toyota]

Scion also calls the paint color "radioactive" and describes the interior as "3+1." Power comes from a 93 HP 3-cylinder engine modified with a custom exhaust from Five Axis, along with a series of suspension and wheel upgrades. Scion says it will gauge response to the concept and possibly put it into production.

Scion Reveals iQ Concept at the 2009 New York International Auto Show

NEW YORK, April 8, 2009 — At the New York Auto Show today, Scion unveiled a special concept version of the iQ micro-subcompact car designed to meet the transportation needs of young urban trendsetters.

Scion's iQ concept is a new urban vehicle with a revolutionary package that is just over 10 feet in length and accommodates three plus luggage. As more and more urban centers are revitalized with a new sense of purpose, energy, and creativity, young people are moving in from the suburbs to embrace new urbanism and are looking for a car that suits their needs and delivers high emotional value.

Scion's iQ concept is the intelligent answer to this need for highly emotional and efficient urban transportation. The convenience of having work, entertainment and culture nearby for young city-dwellers is a significant draw to urban centers. The vehicle must be able to navigate narrow, congested streets, park in tight places, have impressive fuel economy, and have compelling design and function.

"Scion's iQ concept turns traditional auto design upside down," said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. "Traditionally small vehicles have been thought of as being basic. The iQ concept is just the opposite with its innovative features and iconic urban design, and we believe it fits in well within the Scion brand. Our young, trendsetting buyers are creative and innovative forward thinkers, and we think they will appreciate what iQ has to offer."

The production iQ is currently sold in Japan and Europe. Five Axis of Huntington Beach, Calif. took the iQ to the next level with aggressive exterior and interior modifications that show the vehicle's potential for personalization.

With its 78.7-inch wheelbase, the three-door hatchback can deftly maneuver through city traffic. At the same time, its overall length of 126.9-inches, overall width of 71.4-inches, and short front and rear overhangs allow the iQ to fit in virtually any city parking space. The front-mounted differential and repositioned steering rack decrease front end length. In addition, the iQ is equipped with a flat gas tank housed beneath the floor that reduces rear overhang.

Pushing the wheels of the small, bold concept towards the four corners of the body gives the iQ a confident stance. The custom 18-inch wheels with a nickel finish and wide tires fill the wheel well, adding to its surefootedness. The iQ's custom front air dam, aero headlamps and high-intensity LED driving lamps signal urban road readiness.

"We believe the Scion iQ micro-subcompact concept is the future of transportation," said Hollis. "If it should join our future line-up, I think it could reach iconic status like our xB. Its styling will attract attention and if it's a Scion, you know it'll be easy to personalize."

The iQ's profile is defined by a strong and high beltline. Smooth lines glide from the large, dark finish headlamps, up the A-pillar, across the roof and wrap around the rear emphasizing the concept's geometric beauty. Side mirrors with integrated turn signals accent the clean design.

The rear emphasizes the vehicle's modern style. Trapezoidal lines run toward the wheels, from the hatch to the thick rear diffuser, creating a substantial presence. A center-mounted trapezoid exhaust adds to the vehicle's distinctiveness, while large, matte-finished rear taillights help keep the vehicle visible.

The iQ's interior fuses function, style and entertainment. Attention to detail and modern accents can be seen in the illuminated door handle; the swiveling spotlight that hovers over the dash; an illuminated iQ logo on the passenger-side dash and nickel and raw aluminum toned interior panels. Iridescent green and gray honeycomb upholstery covering the door panels and seating areas, combined with the custom exterior paint, provides a balance of freshness and sophistication. Black matte scuba-like polyurethane covers the seat bolsters and is also used on the headliner with a bright green topstitch for a contemporary finish.

The iQ features a 10-inch panel LCD screen on top of the center cluster that serves as the main entertainment console and navigation system interface. With the push of a button, the touch-screen articulates to reveal the entertainment hub. The touch screen can also play movies while the vehicle is parked. When not in use, the screen lays flat on the dash with a translucent cover that emits a colorful display of light patterns to make the interior even more unique.

A few quick strokes to the black panel below the entertainment hub, or steering wheel controls, command the audio system to shuffle through a music library. The center cluster also features three control knobs for dual front heating and air conditioning settings. The driver and front passenger each have a knob that displays their desired temperature and controls their temperature and fan settings. The center knob dictates zone control for both occupants.

The instrument panel has a speedometer, warning lamps, and a multi-information display. The multi-information display allows the driver to toggle through the odometer, average speed, temperature and eco lamp. The eco lamp illuminates during efficient driving to help the driver achieve maximum fuel economy.

Comfortable front passenger legroom was achieved with a newly-engineered, compact air conditioning unit located behind the center of the front console. The iQ employs a glove bag, with the same textured, honeycomb fabric as the front and rear seats, that can be easily snapped on and off for storage or additional legroom.

Rear seating can accommodate one adult behind the front passenger and a child, small package, or pet behind the driver. Extra slim front seat backs provide rear passengers with legroom. The rear seats are 50/50 and fold flat for increased utility. In addition, the rear seat cushion lifts up to reveal a small flat storage space that can be used for pocket-sized portable music players, small books, digital cameras, or slim laptops.

The iQ does not skimp on safety and is equipped with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC); an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD); Brake Assist (BA); and nine SRS airbags, which includes the world's first rear window curtain airbag. Other airbags include driver and front passenger front airbags; driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags; side curtain airbags; a driver knee airbag; and a front passenger seat cushion airbag.
# # #

SCION iQ CONCEPT VEHICLE

PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

POWERTRAIN
Engine:
1.3-liter, four-cylinder, VVT-i

Horsepower:
93 hp

Torque:
89 lb.-ft.

Drivetrain:
Front wheel drive

DIMENSIONS (inches)

Overall Length:
126.9

Overall Width:
71.4 without side mirrors
79.3 including side mirrors

Overall Height:
56.9 without antenna
62.5 including antenna

Wheelbase:
78.7

Seating Capacity:
3+1

MODIFICATIONS

Exhaust:
Five Axis custom stainless exhaust

Wheels:
Five:AD S6:F custom wheels with nickel finish prototyped by MetalFX
18x8.5 ET03

Tires:
Yokohama S.drive
2.5/40R18

Suspension:
TEIN Super Street coilover suspension

Body:
Five Axis widebody conversion
Burnt nickel accents
Custom accented headlights and taillights

Scion's own press release is vague, saying only: "The concept reflects Scion's youthful image and represents a new segment for the brand aimed toward the growing urbanization trend." Using the brand's own nomenclature, the tD is almost certainly two-doors and probably smaller than the tC, assuming x=four doors and t=coupe and the xD is smaller than the xB.

There are two ways to look at what this new model is. It's quite possibly a more production-appropriate version of the Scion Hako Coupe Concept from last year's show (which has a future as a mail truck).

The use of the term "growing urbanization trend" makes us think a competitor for the Smart Fortwo could be in the works, which could mean another version of the Toyota iQ.

Scion To Reveal Concept Car At 2009 New York International Auto Show
TORRANCE, Calif., March 18, 2009 – Scion will unveil a micro-subcompact concept car at the 2009 New York International Auto Show. The concept reflects Scion's youthful image and represents a new segment for the brand aimed toward the growing urbanization trend.

The Scion press conference will take place on Wednesday, April 8 at 12:05 p.m. EDT in the Galleria on level four in the Javits Convention Center.

Production versions of the xB urban utility vehicle, tC sports coupe and xD urban subcompact five-door will be on display in the Scion space as well as five highly-modified vehicles that debuted at the 2008 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas.

A video clip of the press conference will be available for viewing following the event on the scion.com website.

Jalopnik Snap Judgment: A "drop in profit" is significantly different than a "multi billion-dollar loss," meaning Toyota isn't in the same boat as our struggling home-team automakers. Or are they? We really want to know what Credit Suisse analyst Koji Endo means when he says "The numbers on the surface don't look that bad, but when you look at what they are showing, the situation is extremely tough for Toyota." Are losses from a rising Yen, taxes, interest, global sales fluctuations, and other market forces having a bigger effect than Toyota is letting on? Either way, cracks in the armor are starting to show: Scion isn't the youthful gem it once was, Toyota's recent truck launches have been flawed, and the adage "Toyota can do no wrong" is no longer conventional wisdom. [Detroit News]

Toyota is still expected to be several hundred thousand units ahead of General Motors at the end of 2008, mainly due to the fact that the same market forces hurting Toyota are decimating sales at the General. Coupled with the fact that Toyota is already working to switch truck and SUV production over to car production at its U.S. plants indicates a weak 2008 should be followed with a much-improved product mix for 2009; time will tell how quickly GM can move to introduce its new small cars like the Chevy Cruze to the market.

But perhaps the biggest indicator separating the two companies lies in what we affectionately refer to as "the bottom line:" Despite all the worldwide market issues, Toyota profit for the year ending next March is still expected to be $12.8 billion. Has GM made that kind of money since Nixon was in office? [Automotive News (Sub. Req.); Photo Credit: Off-Road Web]

Editor-in-Chief

It took a bit of poking and prodding, but we managed to round up four "green" track cars for the Grassroots Motorsports Ultimate Track Car Challenge on Sunday. We have two Jetta TDIs—the Chili Pepper Racing TDI and the Kerma TDI. We'll also have the AC Propulsion eBox, which currently holds the 1/8th mile record with the National Electric Drag Racing Association for a street conversion. And finally, we have the Organic Racing Lotus 7 replica (an E85-powered WCM Ultralite S2K). These four will compete to see who's the fastest, and who's the greenest. Stay tuned for full coverage of Sunday's event at Buttonwillow.

"Since Scion customers are in tune with audio technology, it makes sense that we enhance our already outstanding audio offerings for them," said Jason Adang, Accessory Audio and Electronics Planning Manager, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "Digital HD Radio technology is ideal for our youthful, tech-savvy customers who will enjoy the wide range of content available on HD Radio channels."

Despite HD Radio's recent attempts to revitalize its name, the fact of the matter is that HD Radio is a niche that nobody wants to explore, especially the youth-demographic that Scion desperately wants. Oh, and the last time we checked being "in tune with audio offerings" doesn't mean "adopting technology on the brink of extinction, Toyota and Scion. [Orbitcast]