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Scion Reveals the iM Concept Ahead of its LA Debut

(Credit: © Scion)

Concept Vehicles

Scion Reveals the iM Concept Ahead of its LA Debut

Scion iM Concept

Scion iM Concept (Credit: © Scion)

Scion teased the iM Concept a few weeks back, and it was pretty obvious that this was a rebadged and modified Toyota Auris, which is not available in the U.S. Well, Scion has pulled the covers from the new concept ahead of its LA Auto Show debut and, surprise, it’s exactly what we thought it was.

Unfortunately, Scion was rather stingy on the details, but it did highlight a few key features. The concept draws inspiration from the European touring car racing circuit, and features deep air intakes and wild fog lights, which we saw on the teaser images. Additionally, it gets a wide-body aero kit, open grille inserts, an Incrediblue paint job with gunmetal accents, and a set of 19-inch forged alloy wheels.

Helping it handle better is a tuned suspension with an adjustable ride height. Stopping power is provided by four-piston calipers biting onto vented front rotors.

Scion iM Concept

Scion iM Concept (Credit: © Scion)

What Scion left to the imagination for now is what lies under the hood. In its highest state of tune, the Auris comes with a 1.6-liter engine that produces 97 kW (130 horsepower) and 160 Nm (118 pound-feet) of torque, which is certainly not enough to back up the looks of the iM. Chances are that we’ll either see this engine receive a turbocharger or a new engine altogether when the iM Concept debuts in LA. Scion would need to push the output to around the 200-horsepower mark for the iM to be on par with the GTI and other hot hatches.

There are also no details on the production future of this ride. However, with the xD set to be discontinued after the current model year, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the iM replace it in the lineup in a less track-ready setup. This wouldn’t be the first time Toyota — the parent company of Scion — released a Toyota model that is only available in Europe under the Scion label in the U.S. Does the Scion FR-S, which is known as the Toyota GT86 in Europe, ring a bell?

Keep it locked here for all of the details following the iM’s debut at the 2014 LA Auto Show on November 19, 2014 at 3:40 p.m. PST.

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