2015 Scion tC Release Series 9.0 - A Show Car for Under $25K

2015 scion tC

With Scion’s FR-S sports car getting so much love these days, the venerable tC, previously Scion’s sportiest model, was possibly in danger of being overlooked. We say “was” because with the launch of the new two-tone Scion tC Release Series 9.0, the scrappy little hatchback coupe is turning heads once again.

Representing Scion’s collaboration with Jeremy Lookofsky’s Cartel Customs of Simi Valley, California, the tC Release Series 9.0 brings show car looks to the Scion showroom. Already known for providing considerable bang for the buck, the value proposition of Scion’s sporty coupe is further enhanced. This, in combination with room for four adults, and reasonable cargo capacity, makes the 2015 Scion tC rate more than a second look.

Styling

Based on a concept car created for custom car shows, if the standard Scion tC looks a bit tame to you, the tC Release Series 9.0 will check your extroversion box quite neatly. The limited edition color combination of magma orange and black graces both the exterior and interior—even the door handles are rendered in black against orange.

Unique exterior features also include a center-mounted exhaust outlet, a Cartel Customs-designed aero kit, and a sinister-looking set of black alloy wheels with matching center caps. Also, for the first time ever on a production model, the Scion logo is blacked out. Meanwhile, inside, it’s all about the orange from the custom stitching and front seat belts, to a long list of assorted painted details.

Perhaps predictably, the Scion tC Release Series 9.0 is billed as a bona fide custom. “There won’t be a way to miss the Scion tC Release Series 9.0,” says Scion vice president Doug Murtha. “This two-toned tC offers Scion fans an everyday driver straight out of a car show.”

Performance

Power comes from the same 2.5-liter inline four found in other tC models, good for 179 horsepower and 172 ft-lbs of torque. A six-speed manual transmission feeding the front wheels is the standard offering while a six-speed automatic with Scion’s Dynamic Rev Management technology is offered as an option. 

New for the 2015 model year, the automatic comes with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. Fuel economy, regardless of the transmission choice, is rated at 23 miles per gallon in the city, 31 on the highway, and 26 combined.

Safety

Scion’s tC safety features include stability and traction control, antilock brakes, four disc brakes, front knee airbags, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front headrests.

NHTSA says the tC racked up five stars in overall crash protection, four in frontal impact protection, and five for side impact protection. The IIHS rated the tC as “Good” (its highest ranking) in moderate overlap frontal offset crashes, as well as side impact and roof strength testing. It managed the second best (“Acceptable”) score in the tough small overlap frontal crash testing, and “Good” for whiplash protection.

Pricing and Features

Pricing starts at $23,190 with the manual transmission, and $24,340 with the automatic. Standard features include 18-inch black alloy wheels, air conditioning, cruise control, power accessories, a panoramic sunroof, Bluetooth telephony and audio streaming, a touchscreen interface, and an eight-speaker Pioneer audio system.

Unique to the Series 9.0 are a lowered ride height courtesy of a TRD suspension kit, the Cartel logo on the starter button, and the release series number with the Cartel Customs logo and Jeremy Lookofsky’s signature on the mirror housing.

Available dealer-installed options include foglights, TRD performance hardware for the powertrain, and an upgraded touchscreen system featuring navigation and smartphone app connectivity.

The Scion tC Release Series 9.0 is being limited to a run of 2000 cars.