2006 Scion FUSE Concept

As Toyotas youth-oriented entry level brand, Scion has had a unique life; bordering between auto manufacturer and aftermarket tuner. Inspired by the unique vehicles so prevalent in todays pop culture, the marque has skirted the automaker fringe, making quirky vehicles like the boxy xB quite popular. Designed to be noticeable above all else, their models have always been popular with tuners, and Scion capitalized on that, employing renowned builders Five Axis to develop a pair of concepts that would be used at the SEMA aftermarket products  show to highlight the cars customizable options. Going above and beyond, Five Axis gave one car, an xA, a folding plasma screen that was the same size as the hatchback, while turning an xB into a mobile DJ booth. So when Scion returned to them to develop a truly over-the-top sports coupe concept, we knew it was going to be wild.

And it is. Called the FUSE, its what Scion is referring to as a "sports coupe icon," designed to push the companys already liberal design envelope, incorporating an unprecedented level of entertainment, digital technology, and versatility into one mean looking package.

"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."

And of course the most important part of the FUSE package is its styling. Inspired by the popular Japanese racing series, the JGTC, the FUSE sports the same low and wide look of the highly modified production cars seen lapping Japans most famous circuits. Out front, narrow, and slightly angled headlights create a menacing look, while a deep front fascia extends obtrusively towards the ground. Somewhat odd looking, the wraparound front bumper sports both a massive rectangular frame for the huge intercooler, as well as curving sides that taper inwards toward narrow air ducts.

Where the curving bumper joins the intercooler frame, theres a rather awkward meeting of shapes, but beyond that tiny area the thing looks absolutely wicked. The lower front valance that extends below both the intercooler and ducts effectively brings the look down even farther, and that, combined that with the almost complete lack of creases and body panel joints (except for around the independently-mounted headlights, where a very cool looking single line divides the headlight housing from the rest of the front fascia) makes the entire front end look incredibly powerful.

Coincidentally, the front end definitely plays on the FUSE theme of personalized vehicles; the rather-schnozz-like look created by the awkward square intercooler frame in the rounded bumper (think square peg, round hole) makes its front styling look quite similar to the popular 350Z wide-body kit produced by Veilside.

Out back the aggressive styling continues, and ultra-wide rear fender flares wrap around to form the trunklid, while a rather heavy looking C-pillar tapers downward and inward, making the flares look even larger. Again, narrow lights, this time oriented vertically,  are depressed into the rear, and look as if theyre supposed to emulate the vents found on so many aftermarket wide-body kits. In keeping with the aftermarket-from-the-factory look, the dual exhaust tips are enclosed in the bodywork, and set inboard, much like aftermarket 350Z systems, again.

Of course, the car features the necessary concept gizmos; with the largest being the doors scissor/gullwing operation thats best compared to the doors on a Saleen S7. Once again, its worth mentioning that the doors opening mechanism appears similar to those offered by many aftermarket door hinge companies; enhancing the FUSEs tuner appeal even more. Likewise, the trunk/hatch system is equally bizarre, with the back glass operating kind of like a sliding glass door, popping outwards before sliding up, over the roof, taking the trunklid itself with it. Then, the rear valance slides out on rails, and can be folded down forming a seat with the now-horizontal valance panel being padded on the back and serving as a footrest/step.

Inside, the high beltline (again, similar to the 350Z) creates a narrow greenhouse that, when viewed from the outside, reveals its motorcycle helmet shield inspiration. From within, the view looks to be acceptable, although we suspect those massive C-pillars would make shoulder-checking an exercise in futility. In keeping with the theme of personalization and functionality, the Scions interior is stark, but effective. The steering wheel is chock-a-block full of displays, readouts, and controls. This eliminates the need for an instrument panel, so the dashboard is short and low, giving the relatively small cabin a good deal of spaciousness. On the passenger side, a panorama setup of video displays gives occupants the ability to watch movies, or even use the cars built in wireless internet setup to instant-message their friends. The only problem with this is that the hard-looking bucket seats in the front are low-backed and appear relatively uncomfortable, while those in back arent so much car seats as they combine for a loveseat. And no, we wont comment on that.

The small coupes level of utility is pretty impressive too, with both the passenger side front seat folding down (to become a table or footrest, according to the press release) and the rear loveseat folding as well to form a single flat surface with the trunk floor. The multi-function steering wheel also gives the driver considerable control over the concepts unique features; which includes personalized exterior lighting (although we suspect your local police force would have something to say about headlights that can be made red at the drivers command). Those features not controllable via the steering wheel are accessible via a telephone-keypad-like interface that controls the HVAC, audio, and video systems. Lastly, and perhaps the most production-worthy touch in the entire car is the quadruple panorama sunroofs. With the roof being made of two long movable glass panels, oriented lengthways on the roof, each occupant effectively gets their own sunroof; a feature wed like to see on upcoming models.

But that roof is perhaps the best chance the FUSE has of living on as a production car. The video display in the steering wheel is obviously not compatible with required airbag systems, the cars ride height is too low, the complex doors and hatch would no doubt be problematic, and the whole shebang would have to be priced WAY out of Scions price range. So, is this concept the next tC? No. Scion admits that much, but as stated before, the FUSE is an icon, meaning it represents the direction Scion in going; so you can expect future Scion models to look to this cool little concept for direction. And given that the very original-looking xA and xB are getting on in age now, we suspect it wont be long before those models currently unknown replacements start roaming the streets, and if they look anything like this, itll definitely be good thing.