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Scion raises its iQ at the 2011 SEMA Show

Four custom examples of the newest, smallest Scion take center stage at the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Antuan Goodwin Reviews Editor / Cars
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Expertise Reviewing cars and car technology since 2008 focusing on electrification, driver assistance and infotainment Credentials
  • North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
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Antuan Goodwin
2 min read

LAS VEGAS--Only at the SEMA Show could a car as wildly styled as the Scion FR-S be the least eye-catching ride in a bunch, but that was exactly the case at Scion's booth.

Scion is no stranger to SEMA. The automaker never makes a big fuss (there's no press conference and its booth is best described as humble). However, Scion has consistently showed off some of my favorite concepts during the three years that I've been attending this show.

Pit Boss Cartel iQ
Cartel's iQ is a rolling pit stop with its integrated floor jack, stands, and (of course) dual 19-inch spare wheels and tires. Antuan Goodwin/CNET

This year, the star of Scion's show was the new iQ. Four custom examples of the microcompact were on display in Scion's booth, all of which rate highly on the "wild" scale.

The first custom that caught my eye as I approached the booth was the matte white iQ-RS custom built by tuner Michael Chang. The RS definitely has the performance look with a laundry list of body and aerodynamic upgrades including wide fender flares, huge front and rear carbon fiber wings, and a rear diffuser (all by Evasive Motorsports). Filling those wide fenders are Advan RT 17-inch wheels and Toyo tires that frame massive Wilwood brakes with six piston calipers up front and four-pots out back. Under the hood, the iQ-RS sports upgraded intake and exhaust components, as well as some serious racing-grade cooling system upgrades.

Scion also showed off the similarly named, but very differently styled, iQ RX that features matte metallic paint, a full array of VeilSide body components, and an Air Runner pneumatic suspension system. The RX also boasts a 1,700-watt Orion Car Audio system and a 32-inch Samsung TV paired with an Xbox 360 for impromptu sessions of Forza Motorsport 4. Elsewhere in Scion's booth the iQ-MR custom features a midengine, rear-wheel drive conversion. And perhaps the craziest iQ displayed was the Pit Boss Cartel iQ, with its chopped top, slammed airbag suspension, and integrated storage for a floor jack, jack stands, and an extra set of the massive 19-inch Lorenzo wheels.

Numeric Scion xB by 686
The Numeric xB features wild colors and an odd, fabric wrap instead of paint. Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Scion didn't forget about the rest of its lineup. The booth was also home to the bizarre 686 Numeric xB which features an oddball waterproof fabric wrap, a snowboarding-themed interior with snowboarding equipment, and GoPro Hero cameras where the rearview mirrors should be. The Scion xB Project Anarchy features a blend of OEM, TRD, and aftermarket components and military-gray paint. Finally, the Gruppe S tC has been modified by Dynamic to appeal to the traditional import tuner market with its GReddy turbo kit, KW coilover suspension kit, and 18-inch Weds wheels. (Okay, so maybe Scion did forget one model: the xD was curiously missing from the mix.)

Check out our photos from the floor of the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas for a closer look at each of Scion's unveiled customs.