2013 Scion tC Release Series 8.0 Puts a Red Scare into Its Rivals

The Scion tC has long had a sterling reputation for satisfying its owners, and that’s at least partly the result of its ongoing Release Series of limited-edition models. The one problem with the latest effort? The 2013 Scion tC Release Series 8.0 will only be able to satisfy 2,000 of them, since that’s all the brand plans to build. Beyond that, however, the tC RS 8.0 will deliver just about everything a driver could want in a custom-style compact sports coupe, thanks to a concerted effort from Scion, Toyota Racing Development (TRD) and the automotive design house of Five Axis.

Scion started with the already-athletic 2013 tC, then turned to Five Axis for an aggressive and stylish five-piece body kit that includes front and rear lower valances, side skirts, and a two-toned rear spoiler. From TRD, the tC RS 8.0 received lowering springs for a hunkered-down, ready-to-pounce appearance, as well as a center-mounted, single-outlet exhaust system—with a TRD sport muffler—that has been seamlessly integrated with the rear lower valance.

The result is covered in an Absolutely Red finish that will be exclusive to the RS 8.0, and accented by gloss-black side-mirror caps and 18-inch black alloy wheels. As expected, there’s also some nifty RS 8.0 logos/badging, both inside and out.

Speaking of the inside of the car, designers switched things up there with a black cabin and red-accent stitching, texturized-fabric front sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and, when configured with a six-speed automatic transmission, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. (A six-speed DIY transmission is the standard cog-swapper.)

And while the car’s very effective 180-hp I4 engine remains untouched, keep in mind that the tC’s 173 lb.-ft. of twisting power gives it a better torque-to-weight ratio than the new Scion FR-S sports car.

The 2013 Scion tC Release 8.0 will go on sale later this month with an MSRP of $21,815 with its manual gearbox and $22,865 when kitted out with the automatic. Want to see this tC in action? Watch it here!