Toyota Zelas lives on in America as 2014 Scion tC

Toyota’s American “youth” division Scion unveiled the revised 2014 tC sports coupe at the New York International Auto Show. The tC accounts for 40% of all Scion sales in the U.S. and they took this opportunity to show off the sportier exterior and upgraded interior trim of the improved car. If you remember, this was the car that was offered in the UAE and other GCC countries as the Toyota Zelas, flopping badly due to its high price more than anything else, and was discontinued after just one year when the Toyota 86 debuted for almost the same price.

The stylistic enhancements of the 2014 Scion tC include new headlamp design, an extended hood, a new grille with an embedded tC logo and LED accent lighting. A new black-out valance beneath the rear bumper features an FR-S style, lower-centre trim piece, lower perimeter reflectors and new LED tail lamps. As standard, the tC rides on 18-inch alloy wheels with a dark gray finish with 225/45 tyres.

The interior receives upgraded materials and lighter colour fabric on the seats and headliner. The tC will be the first in the family with the Scion Standard Display Audio, featuring a 6.1-inch LCD touchscreen. It adds Bluetooth compatibility, HD Radio Technology and steering wheel-mounted controls. Customers can also opt for the all-new Scion BeSpoke Premium Audio system featuring Aha, which incorporates navigation, smart phone connectivity, access to 30,000 free audio stations through Aha, including Scion’s own 17 music channels. Aha also utilises location–based services and social media apps.

The power plant in the Zelas descendant remains a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine that delivers 179 hp at 6,000 rpm. It is coupled to either a 6-speed manual or an updated 6-speed automatic that can shifts ratios quicker. It also features a “Dynamic Rev Management” technology, which blips the throttle on downshifts to limit driveline shock.

To improve dynamics, they have modified the stabiliser bar, optimised the shock absorbers, and have increased structural rigidity with additional spot welds. It also gets retuned electronic power steering.

The 2014 Scion tC will arrive in dealerships by June in the States. A new Zelas would’ve been an excellent entry-level additional to our local Toyota range if it were priced reasonably enough to go head-to-head with the Hyundai Veloster and the Kia Cerato Koup, but local dealers had other plans, and it is unlikely that the car will ever come back to the GCC.