SEMA Preview | Scion Shows IQ Potential
Since 2005, Scion has hosted the Scion Tuner Challenge looking for the best car builders across the nation. During this annual event, Scion opens up its mailboxes to car proposals, some of which we have the pleasure to render. Many tuners apply, but only three are awarded vehicles to work on. The competition ends at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, the largest collection of the automotive aftermarket. The three cars are judged at SEMA on theme, execution and quality of the build. Their prize? Glory. And cash. Third place takes home $5000, while Second earns $7000. First place receives a cool $10,000.
To keep it fresh, the model varies year by year. For the 2011 Scion Tuner Challenge, the platform of choice is the new 2012 Scion iQ. Our favorite? Sorry, we ain’t telling.
Scion iQ-RS by Michael Chang
Evasive Motorsports helped dress up this concept’s exterior with custom fender flares, a vented hood, GT wing, carbon-fiber front lip and splitter, rear diffuser, and side splitter. The engine bay receives a custom transmission cooler with a custom carbon-fiber cover, while Air Runner provides the suspension. Inside, Sparco EVO seats, steering wheel, pedals, and racing harness add some flair, as does an 11-inch touch screen and carbon trim on the dash.
Scion iQ RX by Jon Sibal
This matte metallic gray iQ is strapped with a Nitrous nozzle system with 2.5-pound bottles. The body, which has front bumpers, fenders, a vented hood, and side skirts from Veilside’s Premier catalog all sit atop an Air Runner system with front bellowed struts. Red calipers by Stop Tech help offset the metallic gray paint, and match the red stitching on black seats in the interior. MVDesignz also added a custom Apple iPad2 enclosure, but the coolest part? An Xbox360 game console with Forza 4, courtesy of Turn 10 Studio.
Scion iQ-MR by Tatsu
The interior of the iQ-MR is stuffed with Sparco goodies, with seats, steering wheel, window net, and seat belts. Specialty Cars crafted the rollcage, and the concept sits atop a KW Variant 3 suspension. The “MR” in the name stands for mid-engine-real-wheel-drive – meaning this concept likely isn’t stock, to say the least. G1 Design made the graphics that appear on the exterior. Other goodies include a Burns stainless exhaust pipe, and Wildwood pedal box.
