Toyota Says Scion Brand Can Build More Than Off-Road Toys

Toyota has ever built before, since the company does not have a powersports division. But visitin with the Japanese automaker at its proving grounds in Arizona, it's pretty serious about putting it into production.

Speaking with the chief engineer for the Scion 01, CarBuzz learned how the concept's usage of automotive grade parts from production Toyota vehicles makes it fairly easy to put it on sale without incurring a huge development cost. From there, Scion could go much further than side-by-sides and other off-road products.

"Automotive grade parts are a different level than powersports. We can basically get them for free from an engineering standpoint. What’s one more [part] that basically fell off the shelf?"

– Don Federico, Scion 01 Concept Chief Engineer

UTVs are classified as multipurpose off-highway utility vehicles, meaning they do not have to pass US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, nor do they have to stand up to the level of quality control met by a passenger vehicle. That's why most of them use powersport-grade parts, which are a lower grade than something you would find in your car. Aside from custom components like the frame, body panels, and suspension, the Scion 01 Concept was designed to use off-the-rack Toyota parts that have already been developed, quality controlled, and durability tested.

For example, the brake rotors are from a Camry, the calipers come off a GR Yaris, the hub bearings were taken out of a Highlander, you steer with the electronic power steering rack from a Corolla, and that leather on the seats comes from a TRD Pro truck. Most importantly, the powertrain is ripped straight from a 2025 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid, meaning it's powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque.

With only "around 3,000 pounds" to move around, the 01 should be pretty darned quick. The quickest side-by-sides on the market can hit 60 mph in about four seconds, and Federico says the 01 should do it in "under five seconds."

Since it's a hybrid, the 01 can also go into all-electric mode, and run silently in and out of neighborhoods, so it doesn't disturb people if it does need to drive briefly on a public road. The amount of power in this concept is outrageous for the segment, as is the inclusion of an eight-speed transmission, because most competitors in the space use a CVT.

Speaking with Federico, CarBuzz learned that Scion is not boxed in to building youthful cars to target millennials as it was previously, nor is it locked into leisure toys like the 01 Concept. "We are not limited," said Federico. "We can just have fun." When asked directly if Scion would be open to building less extreme off-road vehicles, or on-road mobility solutions, he said "yes, anything is possible."

"We need you to tell us. If you want us to build [the 01], let us know."

Scion was among the only brands to attempt selling what Japan refers to as a "Kei car" in the US, when it imported the Scion IQ stateside back in 2011. Sales never took off for the IQ, and it was discontinued in 2015 before the Scion brand was shut down a year later. With Kei cars suddenly becoming a topic of discussion following a recent announcement from the Trump Administration, perhaps Scion is the perfect way to bring them back.

Fiat has already announced it will bring its small Topollino EV to the US, but it will be sold as a NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle), meaning it can only be used like a golf cart. Perhaps Scion could do the same, since it has already shown a willingness to develop a non-street legal vehicle.