Friday, March 25, 2005

Richard Drew / Associated Press Journalists surround the Scion t2B concept vehicle shown at the New York International Auto Show, Thursday.

2005 New York Auto Show

Toyota aims for youth sales in newest wheels

The t2 billion concept car with attitude has features likely to appear on next Scion.

By Christine Tierney / The Detroit News

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Toyota Motor Corp.'s youth-oriented Scion brand unveiled a funky concept car Thursday, the spacious t2B, with striking features likely to reappear in the next Scion vehicle.

The t2B, designed by Toyota's Calty studio in California, is wider at the roof than at the base, giving it an unusual reverse-trapezoidal shape and plenty of interior room.

Its wraparound windshield and over-sized door windows emphasize the spaciousness of the lounge-like interior.

Two moonroof panels run nearly the entire length of the roof.

"The t2B is a pure concept design-exercise that combines the attitude of the xB -- with the comfort and sophistication of the tC," said Scion vice president Jim Farley.

Toyota officials said the t2B was a "concept exploration" for a model that will replace one of the three vehicles in Scion's lineup -- the xA hatchback, the boxy xB and the new tC coupe.

"We're going to keep having rapid product-replacements for Scion -- the car it's replacing has only been out for three years," said Jim Press, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Sales USA.

Scion's top sellers are the tC, launched last year, and the popular and versatile xB.

With the Scion brand, Toyota is reaching new and younger clients and testing ideas in styling and vehicle conception.

Toyota expects Scion sales to reach 120,000 this year.

"If Scion becomes a volume make, it isn't Scion any more. We have to make sure that Scion products change often, that they're on the cutting edge, and affordable," Press said.

You can reach Christine Tierney at (313) 222-1463 or ctierney@detnews.com.