The Scion xA (chassis code: NCP61) is one of the first two models introduced to the North American market under the Scion brand name. Essentially an Americanized version of the Japanese Toyota ist, which was introduced to Japan in 2001 as a new-for-2002 model. The xA was largely unmodified for our market, converted to left-hand-drive and equipment changes made to conform to USDOT safety and emissions standards.
The xA was introduced to the California market in June of 2003 as the entry-level vehicle in the linuep, sharing a 108hp 1.5L VVT-i engine (1NZ-FE) with the Scion xB and Toyota Echo. It was sold exclusively in California for several months so that dealership quality control could be carefully fine-tuned and to spark demand in the rest of the country. In September of 2003 the Scion brand hit the east coast and the south. States along the Atlantic and the southern border states from Florida to Texas saw Scion dealerships pop up. Then in June of 2004 the rest of the country finally saw the Scion become available. Scion dealerships were integrated into Toyota dealerships, but had seperate showrooms featuring high-tech flatscreen displays.
The 2006 model year came with a few changes. The exterior color pallete was updated: Salsa Red Pearl replaced Black Cherry Pearl and Flint Mica replaced Phantom Gray Pearl. The front bumper and grill, sideskirts and rear bumper and taillights were slightly redesigned for a more mature appearance.
The Release Series line of the Scion xA was a limited-release option package that included the Scion xA RS1.0 in September 2004, Scion xA RS2.0 in May of 2005 and the Scion xA RS3.0 in October of 2006. Only 1550 RS1.0s, 1700 RS2.0s and 2200 RS3.0s were produced, each with a plaque mounted inside the vehicle stating the edition number. Each release got it's own exclusive special color not found on any other xA; the RS1.0 was dipped in Absolutely Red, the RS2.0 was layered with Spectra Blue Mica and the RS3.0 was painted Stingray Metallic.
History of the Scion xA
