2008 xD Review
From ScionZoneWiki
New for 2008, Scion has introduced the fourth vehicle in their lineup, the 2008 Scion xD. ScionZone.Com met with Scion in San Francisco to get the scoop on this vehicle, to be released in August of 2007. The xD's exterior dimensions are quite close to those of the xB, but Mark Templin, Vice President in charge of Scion, considers the vehicle quite different from the xA and xB - "no overlap" amongst the models. Like the other vehicles in Scion's lineup, he described it as a "great value", so let's take a look at the facts and numbers.
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Exterior
The styling for the xD is the result of a three way partnership between Daihatsu Motor Company, Toyota Tokyo Design, and Toyota's ED2 European Design Studio located in France. At 154.7 inches long and 67.9 inches wide, the xD is quite similar in size to the 2007 Scion xB, but it's actually build on the frame for Toyota's other new compact, the Toyota Yaris. The xD shares the thin upper grill opening with all vehicles in Scion's lineup, and sports some features you might expect in a higher price vehicle, such as
- LED turn signal lamp in the mirror
- Electrically adjustable side mirrors
- LED center stop lamp
- Diffusion-type front washer nozzles that vibrate as they spray the washer fluid for better distribution
- Rear washer nozzle
The 2008 xD will be available in the usual rainbow of colors:
- 040 Super White
- 1E7 Silver Streak Mica
- 1G3 Magnetic Gray Mica
- 209 Black San Metallic
- 3R3 Barcelona Red Metallic
- 8S6 Nautical Blue Metallic
Selecting the interior color is easy, as you've got the following choice:
- Dark Gray
See below for the complete list of external and internal dimensions:
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Interior Features
The xD's instrument panel steps away from the center mounting that the xA and xB have used and adopts a more conventional view-through-the-steering-wheel approach.
- Analog Speedometer and Techomoter are positioned concentrically
- All other gauges, such as odometer and fuel gauge, are digital
- Cruise Information Display (digital)
- Odometer
- Trip A, Trip B
- Instant MPG
- Average MPG
- Distance To Empty
- Average Speed
As with all Scion vehicles, interior features reflect the target market of plugged-in, educated young buyers, with a 6-speaker Pioneer sound system and standard iPod and auxiliary input for external music. Steering wheel controls allow the driver to change station and volume without looking away from the road. The system can be upgraded to play DVD's when in park and provide navigation.
Climate controls are pretty much what you would expect; Air Conditioning is standard on all vehicles. The xD features the world's first application of a new air-guide structure on both sides to reduce blower noise, along with low profile air vents also designed to reduce noice. Controls are pretty standard.
Engine and Transmission
The xD features the new 2ZR-FE 1.8 liter 4-cylinder Engine, a certified LEV (Low Emission Vehicle).
- 128 hp @ 6000 rpm
- 125 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
Estimated fuel economy comes in at a very respectable 27/33 (5 speed manual) and 26/32 (4 speed automatic). Keep in mind these figures are based on the 2008 EPA rating method, which typically results in lower reported values than the EPA's 2007 method. Compare apples to apples when looking at mileage!
Like the xB, the 2008 xD features variable valve timing (VVT-i). Adjusting the timing on both the intake and exhaust cams allows the system to electronically optimize power, emissions and efficiency.
Also like the xB, the 2008 xD offers the choice of a 4-Speed Electronically Controlled Transmission (U341E) or a 5-Speed Manual Transmission (C50). Gearing is as follows:
| Gear | Manual | Automatic |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3.545 | 2.847 |
| 2nd | 1.904 | 1.552 |
| 3rd | 1.310 | 1.000 |
| 4th | 0.969 | 0.700 |
| 5th | 0.815 | |
| Reverse | 3.250 | 2.343 |
| Differential | 3.941 | 4.130 |
Wheels, Tires, Brakes
For 2008, the xD rides on 195/60R16 89H tires. Tire Pressure Monitoring System is standard.
Wheels are 16" steel alloy wheels. They can be upgraded to 17" alloy wheels or 18" TRD alloy wheels.
The braking system features, standard:
- Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) - Enhances driver steering control by reducing wheel lockup under hard braking conditions
- Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) - Balances brake pressure distribution according to vehicle load and braking conditions
- Dynamic adjustment of braking force at each wheel
- transfers braking front-to-rear and side-to-side
- Works by measuring minute amounts of wheel slip under braking to balance individual wheel cylinder pressures to available traction
- Brake Assist (BA) - Supplements braking pressure under emergency braking
- Pressure sensor on master cylinder detects "panic" brake application by signature rise rate
- If driver does not continue to apply sufficient pedal pressure for panic stop, additional pressure provided to calipers and wheel cylinders by VSC pump
- Traction Control (TRAC)
- Upon start-up acceleration, if wheel-spin is detected, the TRAC system may reduce engine power and/or apply brakes to a spinning wheel
- Enhances stability during start-off on low traction surfaces
- Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) - Utilized brake and throttle control to counter understeer and oversteer.
Safety
The 2008 xD features frontal impact airbags and side impact airbags. It also features active head restraints, which seek to minimize whiplash injuries by moving the seat head-restraint up and forward to restrain the head of an occupant if the vehicle is rear-ended.
Accessories
As you might expect, a wide array of customizable accessories will be available for the xD, including:
- Three different wheel covers
- Upgraded floor mats
- Customizable interior illumination (red, blue, green, orange)
- Metal-look shift knobs
- Carbon fiber engine cover
- Exhaust tips
- Rear Spoiler
- Carbon Fiber Window Trim
- XM and Sirius satellite radio
Performance accessories from TRD will include
- Supercharger
- Quick Shifter
- Brake Kit
- Torque Biasing Differential (Limited Slip)
- Sport Muffler
- Lowering Springs
- Cold Air Intake System
- Chrome Exhaust tips
- Anti-sway bar
- High Performance Air Filter
- Radiator Cqp
And finally, FiveAxis will be producing a FiveAxis body kit, for the first time available to the public. Look for more information soon!
Categories: XD | 2008
