Totyota today unveiled the Scion Fuse sports coupe concept at the New York Auto Show. “The idea of the all-new Fuse Sports Coupe is a reflection of the boundless limits and creative envelope that embodies all the vital personalization components of a Scion product,” said Mark Templin, Scion vice president. “Since the launch of Scion three years ago, designers have learned a great deal about what inspires and motivates Scion buyers through its unique vehicle lineup and instilled them into the Fuse.”
The exterior of the Fuse was the conception of Calty designers Alex
Shen and Bob Mochizuki, who were determined to create a strong performance
statement. Inspiration came from the “HAKO” super GT racing cars of Japan,
commonly known as the JGTC series. From the side, the Fuse has a low,
aggressive stance with a race helmet-inspired wraparound window that
provides a panoramic view. The visor-like wraparound windshield is balanced
by a strong C-pillar, adding a sense of security and protection.
Calty interior designers Alan Schneider and Ichirou Mukai used the long
wheelbase and high beltline of the Fuse to help create the interior theme,
which revolves around providing the driver with an intense driving
environment and occupants an intimate atmosphere. The activation of a small
key-shaped sensor unhinges butterfly doors that open to reveal an interior
that merges technology, function and racing inspired elements in an
asymmetrical pentagon where the driver is positioned at the apex of the
surround.
The influence of the “racing tub” in the overall design is obvious. It
provides a unique contrast that highlights the floating technical elements
of the interior. A drive-by-wire steering interface combines influences
from race cars and video game controllers in one innovative driver module.
A media station that runs the length of the dash is the focal point of the
cabin. Passengers can watch movies, play video games, or do both, with dual
display 10.5-inch monitors.
The Fuse interior concept is referred to as “one plus stuff.” The
design focuses on the driver by offering surprising versatility in the form
of three interior arrangements: video, driving and cargo configurations. In
its video mode, the front passenger seat folds flat and serves as a table,
or footrest. Occupants can utilize video screens or take advantage of
wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) connectivity and instant message their friends.
In driving mode, the video screens turn off and a multi-informational
display is used for driver information.
Utility is maximized in a cargo mode where the front passenger seat and
rear seats fold down to form a flat surface. And, multi-functioning rear
cargo access allows stowage of larger items. The Fuse cabin seats four
comfortably, however when the car is parked, additional room is available
with a tailgate that converts to provide outdoor seating. A sweep of the
foot over an infrared sensor located on the lip of the rear bumper opens
the rear tailgate and sliding hatch, allowing the tailgate to drop down
into a curb-high bench. This surprising seating arrangement is paired with
rear foldout speakers for an unexpected social environment. Enhancing the
social scene is a detachable drink cooler with a retractable handle, which
is integrated into the rear center console.
Additional features include subtle accent lighting on the seats, doors
and overhead lining. Deeply contoured seats are upholstered with
soft-to-the-touch “Mythos” fabric that wraps around passengers for maximum
comfort. Finally, audio, video and HVAC systems are easily controlled by a
“vehicle system/communication interface” touch control board that is
similar in appearance to a telephone keypad.
“The Fuse is a styling exercise that presents a discussion starting
point for Scion owners and other Gen Y consumers with an eye towards a
versatile sports coupe,” said Templin. “Like previous Scion concepts, the
Fuse delivers a unique statement about what the Scion brand is all about
and where it is headed.”
04/12, 9:39 AM
posted by:
chas williams
They have a winner! No way those doors will make it eh?
04/12, 9:52 AM
posted by:
zeroSignal
Looks sweet. Any idea how big/small it is?
04/12, 9:58 AM
posted by:
captain america
there is a group of kids who would love that.
04/12, 10:14 AM
posted by:
ur mom
One word. UGLY.
04/12, 10:27 AM
posted by:
Halo
Wow, thats gangster!
04/12, 10:37 AM
posted by:
Nic Nichols
If they can actually bring it to market with those door, look out.. that thing will sell by the ton. I don’t think I would drive one, but getting “Lambo” doors for under 20 grand would have the Yo-Boys lining up….
04/12, 10:44 AM
posted by:
Mike
not a chance for this thing. They MAY be able to pyull some design language from it, but those MASSIVE c-pillars, the suicide doors with electronic latches, headlamps, chopped top, etc….
this is a design excersize, and I cannot really see anything production coming from it.
04/12, 10:47 AM
posted by:
paperycow
there’s alot of things on this that wouldn’t see production…doors, headlights, big a$$ wheels, the fact that the windows don’t have a frame…i wonder what the tail end looks like?
04/12, 10:52 AM
posted by:
nikivee
It’s a great design.
04/12, 10:58 AM
posted by:
Brian
That has to be one of the worst designs and ugliest concepts I have ever seen.
04/12, 11:17 AM
posted by:
toby
looks really good for what a scion costs. I doubt the doors will make production though…parking lots would pose a problem. Also the blind spot looks like it would be big enough to hide a 18-wheeler
04/12, 11:19 AM
posted by:
Scott
Where’s the back? Very good exercise in design I must say, I bet we’ll see many of these cues in the next batch of Scions. Powertrain, Drivetrain, Weight, Transmission?
04/12, 11:21 AM
posted by:
E M
Anyone who thinks this car is “cool” is under age 12 and will be 16 by the time it sees the light of day. I am old, so I think it is horrendous, just like all the other Scions, except maybe the TC.
04/12, 11:29 AM
posted by:
Matt
Hip concept - obviously lots of things that won’t make it into production (as many have noted).
And, for the “it’s ugly / I hate it / Scion’s suck” crowd - at least acknowledge that they’ve actually released a concept that’s interesting, and has some creative ideas (after slews of LLN stories of concepts and new models that are so boring or unchanged that I wonder why there’s even a story).
04/12, 11:54 AM
posted by:
Archidictus
Those mirrors, that sunroof/sunstrip configuration, the lack of door handles, the stance, the pillar architecture, the door operation, the big front mount - none of that will ever see the light of day. I’m not sure why Scion can’t follow the tC with something equally as good looking and marketable, but I don’t think the Fuse will be hitting the streets in an iteration anywhere close to those pictures.
04/12, 12:33 PM
posted by:
Hedon
This will never make it. This would be a failure from the start. It is worse than the Pontiac Aztec!
04/12, 12:47 PM
posted by:
nAthaN
personally i think its pretty ugly…. but ill give them props for making a very unique looking concept.
04/12, 12:54 PM
posted by:
toyota sucks
sorry guys but that thing is just over the hill ugly and gay…..
04/12, 12:57 PM
posted by:
The Sporting Life » Toyota’s Scion Fuse
[...] Scion Fuse Concept breaks cover [Leftlane] [...]
04/12, 1:02 PM
posted by:
Joel A
Huh. A Japanese version of the Chrysler 300.
04/12, 1:41 PM
posted by:
Evan
I would definitely drive this. I like it.
04/12, 2:49 PM
posted by:
Mr. Smith
FWD or RWD? That is the question. If FWD, i’ll look elsewhere. Auto manufacturers need to stop calling FWD cars “sports this,” “sports that.” Put the power to the rear wheels and only then you can call it “sports coupe.”
04/12, 2:52 PM
posted by:
Jonas
Mr. Smith has spoken!!! Right on man, i couldn’t agree with you more… All this FWD is a bunch of BS… FWD is for economy, not sports, and not performance… The drivetrain is what is going to make this car… Another FWD then forget about it… RWD or AWD, then we got something to work with…
04/12, 3:08 PM
posted by:
Greg
sweet looking car. finally another car that isnt trying to knockoff a german sport-coupe.
04/12, 5:37 PM
posted by:
Jason Catudal
This is the most exciting car I’ve ever heard of.
04/12, 5:44 PM
posted by:
over the hill and gay
>sorry guys but that thing is just over the hill ugly and gay…..
…is that positive or negative? ‘Cause last I heard, it was okay to be gay. (Unless you have a less-than average IQ, or were raised by idiots.) Think before you post.
04/12, 5:52 PM
posted by:
BP
Not too bad. To see more photo of this car, check out this link and let me know what you think of the interior and rear.
http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2006_newyork/scion/fuse/pages/01.htm
04/12, 6:56 PM
posted by:
junkie
This car is perfect for the segment they are targeting.
04/12, 10:53 PM
posted by:
youthDriver24
This offends all of my super senses, and I am apart of the age group this car is aimed for! The 20-25 year old crowd.
04/12, 11:50 PM
posted by:
canut4ever
Front looks ok but the back is plain ugly. What were they thinking?
04/13, 12:22 AM
posted by:
Asher
“The idea of the all-new Fuse Sports Coupe is a reflection of the boundless limits and creative envelope that embodies all the vital personalization components of a Scion product,� said Mark Templin, Scion vice president.
–Regardless of whether you like it or not, it hits its purpose and can objectively be called CREATIVE, which is all any car fan can ever ask. And if it was introduced as a Koeniggsegg instead of a Scion, you might ooohh and aaahhhh until you got a good look up close and noticed plastic vs carbon fiber…
04/13, 2:36 AM
posted by:
vp
I like the design. It looks a lot better than the current Scions.
I drove a Chrysler 300 equivalent, Dodge Charger to be exact; it sucks!
04/13, 10:31 AM
posted by:
James L. Ryan
Fifty years ago I worked with a person who bought a Mercedes sport sedan that had so-called gull-wing doors that opened from the top. Many were the times he came back to his parked car and had to literally squat on the ground and crawl into his car because he couldn’t open the doors. Also, he couldn’t park the car in the garage because the doors wouldn’t open in there. There are times I think that designers and/or engineers ought to be forced to use one of their creations for six months. Then maybe they will understand that function should prevail over style.
04/13, 1:39 PM
posted by:
Trex
I think the wrap-around glass in the front is genius. Finally someone has done something interesting with the A-pillar on a car… hide it behind glass! Saab did something similar with their latest concept (the ****pit look) but the Scion idea could actually be feasible.
04/13, 8:00 PM
posted by:
The guy next to you in line at the supermarket
As far as that design….I like the look of the A-pillars being concealed by the glass, however the lack of B-pillar and the chunkiness of C-pillar sorta kill that for me. Also, the doors swinging open in that fashion are pretty gay.
04/14, 9:12 PM
posted by:
VDub
looks like a fuse between an xb and a tc
04/14, 11:08 PM
posted by:
peds_nurse_man
i would totally buy one
04/15, 1:53 PM
posted by:
Tony Blair
I guess people who were raised on Pokémon have to buy something. Just make sure its got the 24 inch rims that generation Y is so deeply in love with, so replacement tires cost 1/2 the price of the car, and the rims bend on every pothole. And Mr. Ryan (33), that kooky old gull wing Mercedes 300SL is worth a million dollars today, and the car had a MSRP of under 10K when it was introduced in 1954. There was no wiser automotive investment in the last half of the 20th century than that gull wing Mercedes that you scoff at.
04/18, 8:08 PM
posted by:
StanFord
Something new for the gangsta crowd.. An xB that went to ‘badass’ school.
Wonder how much that wrap-around windshield would cost to replace?
05/22, 7:42 PM
posted by:
Craig
Looks a little bit aggressive. Better make it rear drive and give it some horsepower, Toyota.
Nobody likes a cool car that unfortunately weighs a lot and is underpowered.
05/30, 2:55 AM
posted by:
M
Ugly…..need I say more?
05/30, 2:18 PM
posted by:
JL
That thing is NO where near ugly!
08/14, 3:49 PM
posted by:
john kollie
sent me the price and full interior exterior photos
08/16, 11:11 AM
posted by:
BP
As a TC owner, I can say that anything based on this concept will not be my next purchase. I like what they are doing with the windows, but it looks like an XB Swallowed a Crossfire
08/16, 11:23 AM
posted by:
Carnut4ever
Boxy is for trucks and SUVs. Is this another retro fling wherein you go back to the 80’s again? Is there no more originality here?
08/17, 11:16 PM
posted by:
Henry
That car looks like puke.
08/20, 5:59 PM
posted by:
adam
this concept is most definately something I would buy I wouldn,t need all the video screens and stuff keep the multi colored lighting thats neet and the doors awesome give it some ponies under the hood and keep the price below 18 grand and it would be a nice alternative to a 50,000 saleen mustang or a corvette