You'd think that way, but you'd be wrong. There are reasons they package them this way and I can tell you first hand, the reason is because of customer research. Your complaints in past years, whether it be price or options, defines the way they are packaged and priced today.

Auto Up/Down windows probably have a higher fee then a few bucks if available at all. I'd love to see these as well, but there is a lot of R&D that goes into something like this as well as testing to prove longevity.

These are great comments for an engineer. These are things they had control over in Japan. Colour pallets are still, in the end, selected by Toyota USA, but if the options are mostly weird, well, you get some weird stuff.

I agree on the steering feel. Would have been great to have speed sensitive steering and a little more suspension castor in it. But really, its not bad for the price.

 

The tC doesn't really have a niche to fill in Japan. The public transport system is ridiculously awesome (experienced first-hand) and driving is a hassle within the major cities (ridiculous traffic). Most cars out there are tiny boxes, though you do see the high dollar ones outside of the city. With the FT-86 coming around the corner, it wouldn't make sense to have the tC available in Japan. It's unlikely to see the RHD variant of the tC.

I think the engine choice has to do with "this is your budget, look in the catalog and pick an engine". The previous gen used the 2.4L found in the Camry, so the logical move would be the 2.5L now in the Camry (as of 2010MY). I'll let you know what we find out though.

The Cargo Cover became an option with the 08 xB/xD, so it likely just followed suit. I do think it is ridiculous that it still isn't available yet though (I've tried ordering a few already without success). This is more of an accounting item than a designer item.

The steering is electronically assisted now, so the feel will definitely be different from a standard hydraulic system. I'll add this to the list.

Scion was designed as a mono-spec car (choose transmission and color, the rest is the same). From there, you can choose available add-ons for customization, though there aren't really preset packages available. The performance items are chosen, sent for manufacturing bids and then produced if the numbers line up. The Mustang is still a high-volume seller compared to the tC (Feb 2010: Mustang sold 5,115 units || tC sold 860 units).
Source: http://www.mustangblog.com/blog/1043...gures-released
Source: http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/d...ales_Chart.pdf

Color choices are usually based on sales history. They take a slight risk each year with the RS (Release Series, limited edition) variant. Colors from bright red, to burnt copper and the last xB's Murasaki Purple and 2011 xD's eXpresso brown possibly fill that niche.

 

Nothing but appreciation 1stOne for your respectful replies. My only argument for the costs being cheap for the window switches and reverse bulb comes from my own experience, which may or may not be the same. I work with a semi-conductor manufacturing plant here, and I can tell you that the actual per unit cost of these items is microscopic. What you often have retail for $150+ is made for pennies. All the costs are sunk into tooling, capital investments, and R&D. However, these switches are already developed; meaning they are already in the existing parts bin. There would be no testing or R&D needed to plug them into the car. It would cost nothing to up production and equip the cars so, assuming the plants are not running at full capacity (and Toyota is definitely under-capacity right now for production).

The only reason I see why they would skimp out, is to avoid overlap and competition with a higher model. . . perhaps the upcoming FT-86 or the IS250C. But IMO, these tiny doodads are worth their weight in gold for customer satisfaction. Even if they cost $5/unit to manufacture, it simply wasn't and isn't something that should have been cut.

In terms of FI, Toyota abandoned FI as soon as they made their HUUUUGE investment into hybrid technology. Rather than develop a new (in-house and not Fuji Heavy (Subaru) FI motor), they'd rather squeeze more return by slapping on the Hybrid Synergy Drive system. I don't see Toyota ever going back to FI applications.

Finally, for a RHD application, I wasn't specifically talking about Japan, but the entire RHD market. To maximize sales, what gets offered in Japan is usually offered in all other RHD markets as well, except for countries with high import taxes.

 

i would like to ask him if there is gonna be a trd supercharger o turbocharger available in the future for the 2011 scion tc. to keep the car warranty...

 

That would be a question for TRD. At this time, there are no plans for F/I on the tC2.

 

I like the seats a little more than the 1st gen. They hug the sides a little more.... however, a little more of an arch for lumbar support goes a long way to promote good posture. I know that I sound like an old man, but I suffer from occassional SI Joint disfunction mainly cause by bad posture. Health wise, these are things to consider (at least for me it is).

And kudos for the chop top styling on the roofline. Gives it a more modern and also aggressive look to the design.

And seeing that I am a father and occassionaly take my daughter with me in my car, I do like how the child restraint brackets are hidden. The lower brackets in between the seat fold and the rear/over-the-seat latch is hidden in a hide-a-hole cutout.

These are minor things, but all influence my opinion of the car.

 

The best things about the tc2. Six speed and a legit bolt pattern. No more of the 5x100 crap.

 

Anything else ?

 

Not sure those are issues the engineer can address, but I seem to have problems with the integrated-bluetooth BLU Logic system.

Seems like the microphone is under-sensitive, and I get interference issues when playing music via USB, then receiving a call and having to switch to the handset. Next thing I know the car BOOMS with music being streamed by bluetooth (higher volume) instead of USB..

Plus there's no pause/stop/mute button on the headunit!

 

The Radio is a US-standard Scion item. I'll mention this, but doubt he'll have control over this.

 

Not true, Jack Hollis stated at the NYIAS that there would be a S/C option available.

 

I'll check again with my contact at TRD. But no word on a S/C in development. It was a possibility when the tC was announced @ NY, but market research may have changed everything.

 

That could be true as well.

 

I'll post up his feedback later today

 

awesome, can't wait to hear what he says

 

Any final adds before I go to the meeting?

 

Cant believe they changed the auto up /down on the new one from what they have done forever on their other cars. Same for the auto headlights. Those features were close to identical on so many Toyotas. Our 2001 4Runner, the tC, toyotas I get for rentals, etc. I cant imagine anyone would NOT want that on the car. As someone who has worked in engineering, R&D, etc I know that the cost is more than just the components, but it would have been nice for them to keep that stuff around. The new camry I rented recently still had the auto up/down on the front windows and auto lights, so it isnt like they took it out completely from their lineups.

Styling IMO is not nice at all, ... but that is not going to change and is personal preference. .

Increasing power... and weight.. .so the car performs about like the tC1 = fail (basically just increased power cause it got heavier). But again, I dont see them changing since I doubt the tC will make another iteration, rather a complete replacement in model most likely.

I agree, they RUINED the interior. The dash and controls on the first tC were nice.. the new looks cheap like a 1st gen xB dash. Not sure why they would go this way.

Glad to hear they came with stiffer suspension, should make it handle a bit better out of the box, although most serious enthusiasts will still go more aggressive.

Not making the stability control totally defeatable SUCKS and would prevent me from ever considering one just by itself. A lot of cars make it hard to defeat, but have some method to do so, even if not described in the manual. I dont see them putting any effort into this with the federal regulations getting tougher (thank you nanny state voters) and the tC not being a sports car, but still annoying.

 

It was a pleasure speaking to Nagai-san regarding the tC2. Most of our "issues" actually had different reasoning for their changes (compared to the tC1) and it was an eye-opening experience to hear first hand.

1. Plastic Engine Cover - Removed to provide a more technical look (bare metal, working parts). In the past, people complain that there is too much plastic in the engine bay, taking away from the look of the engine. This time, it was going back to address that comment, while bringing up the new comments regarding why it isn't included.

2. Air Vents - The three air vents are designed to accommodate the driver in a cockpit like environment. The circular vent on the passenger side was specifically chosen to give a different 'calm and comfortable' environment for the passenger. Even the seats are different. Although the shape is the same, the other bolsters on the driver's side are much more stiff (for that race-seat feel) while the passenger side is very soft (for comfort).

3. Seat Fabric - If you pay attention, the seat fabric is different on every tC. This was purposely done for a more unique feel to each vehicle. In most cases, we don't step into multiple vehicles, so it's hard to actually grasp this. It's something new to keep things subtly different.

4. Reverse Light - It's a European trend to do a single reverse lamp. Most comments regarding this have just been to the owner's surprise, not as a complaint. This might be something that is changed if more related comments come in.

5. Tail Lamp Shape/Design - The combination lamp itself is a circular shape, while the overall housing is an "L" shape. The circular shapes are used to resemble a Sports Car (Camaro, GTR, etc), while the 'L' shape was used to say it's still an everyday 'sedan' (obviously a coupe/hatch, but you know what I mean).

6. Window Auto Up/Down - Again, going back to the 'cockpit' feel of the driver's position. He was going for amenities for the driver, but not the passenger. It didn't make complete sense to me, as the driver's ability to automatically put down the passenger window benefits him more than the passenger... but yea.

7. Cockpit Feel of the Driver's Seat/AC Controls - To recap, the harder bolsters, driver-biased audio/climate controls added to the 'cockpit' seating Nagai-san aimed for in the tC2. As in a cockpit, there are many hard surfaces, so that explains the use of the materials chosen. Also, the A/C controls were put back to the ***** for the same reason. The goal were to add more switches and ***** for that genuine cockpit feel. Using the electronic controls would not have flowed with the design theme.

8. Auto-off Headlamps - Removed in consideration of parasitic draw on the electrical system. Even though it's off, the 'ON' position of the switch creates a small parasitic draw on the system. I've seen these affected Lexus vehicles the worst (about a week or so of inactivity for the battery to be dead). Many Toyota vehicles without the light sensor will be going in this direction. It's not that huge of an issue in the US, since we use our vehicles almost daily. It's likely an issue in Japan that was considered.

9. Front Wind Deflector (tC1) - Removed for safety reasons (NHTSA complains of shattering). Also, it was used to help alleviate the 'buffeting' at slow speeds (try driving ~40-50 mph w/ only 1 window open). The new design has a small mesh piece in the front to help alleviate this.

10. Engine Choice (2.5L 2AR-FE) - This was an interesting subject to touch on. His initial response was asking me which engine I would have chosen. Naturally, I mentioned the 3S-GTE (or an iteration of it) and the 2ZZ-GE (but a modern take on it). Of course, I did mention that the cost of implementing the 3S-GTE or 2ZZ probably would have priced the car out of it's niche group (2003 Celica GT-S 6MT: $21,970. || 4AT: $22,670).

Chosen for the power output, MPG, and technology. This is a newer Toyota engine (2010 Camry is the first application) outfitted with the latest Toyota technology (Dual VVT-i, ACIS, etc). Although it's physically the same as the Camry version, the tuning on the ECU (VVT-i timing) and transmission (Automatic: shift schedules) are completely different. The Camry shifts are higher and smoother while the tC's are at approx 6mph lower at each gear and have a slightly harder shift. The only other engine under consideration was the (I'm sure this was a joke) 2GR-FE (3.5L V6 in the Camry... lol). Also, another engine choice may have driven the MSRP up even higher.

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Also, regarding the TRD Supercharger: There isn't one officially being worked on at this time. However, there's a supposed skunk-works team playing with a roots-type charger. I've seen this before, as the tC1 had a prototype roots-type charger that I saw in person... so it's possible... but I can't see anyone trying to dev one without a committed order. We'll see what happens in the next year or so.

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Have you driven the tC2 yet? It's a bit more refined than the original tC in the handling department (but definitely still not a sports car). The peak power increased (as has the weight), but the power curve is different also. The added mid-range torque makes it much more fun to drive without having to be near peak RPMs.

An off button for the tC doesn't seem to be needed. It's still nice to have the option, but regulations are pushing for all manufacturers to have standard Stability and Traction control by 2012 or so (Toyota pushed forward first w/ the STAR safety feature set when the recalls started, but all manufacturers will eventually be in the same boat).

We also discussed the positives of the Electric Power Steering system. In a few months, we may see some interesting things be release to tweaking steering feel in conjunction with suspension upgrades.

 

oh man, you should have asked him why he didn't consider F/I as a standard. It would have actually been the best thing.

 

It was in the same boat. The cost to implement F/I would have pushed the tC out above its target price point. That's why they recycled the Camry's 2.5L and did some proper tuning for the vehicles size/weight. We did speak briefly about all the turbo kits he saw at SEMA though. He's just amazed the aftermarket kits came out so quickly.