Next Generation tC

[kbanksttc]

I work for the Toyota Technical Center. I will be evaluating certain aspects of the next generation tC and would like some input from tC owners. A tC is not my daily driver so I would like to reflect what some tC owners and tuners feel in my responses. I WILL NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS, HOW IT LOOKS OR HOW IT DRIVES! You will just have to trust in me that I will convey your general response. The specifics of the evaluation have been made known to me but I am not clear on what I can divulge. Basically I want your feedback on driver ergonomics. "I do carpool with a tC owner sometimes to work and I dislike the circle part of the door handle as it digs into my leg under high g forces." "When I'm in the perfect position for the steering wheel, the pedals feel a little too close." That's the kind of stuff I'm looking for.

A little about me so you don't get dissapointed that I've been selected:
-Current SCCA member Arizona Region, 2004 Salina region Solo II STS Champion
-Current NASA member Arizona Region, HPDE level 2
-Pit crew for Wheels America Racing 2007 25 Hours of Thunderhill Endurance Race
-Pit crew for Arizona Region SCCA spec Miata entry
-Pit crew for DMC Racing Bomber division oval dirt track
-Just getting started in shifter kart racing
-Daily grind involves absorber, spring, swaybar tuning and dynamic evaluation
-Have turbo'd an 07' tC, helped build a 500+ whp STI, built a couple 240's, tuned an E-manage Ultimate equipped tC

I will post this on the three tC forums I find with the highest member count. So if you know people on other forums tell them to register on one of the big ones. I will be checking this daily.


This is your opportunity to have an impact on the next tC!!!

Thanks guys,

Kelly Banks
Toyota Technical Center Arizona
Technician Vehicle Performance Development

[KTeevan]

this is kind of dumb, but i would love to be able to change the colors of the lights on the dash board. ex: odometer, rpm guage, gas etc. i just think that would be cool

[Figaro]

These may seem a bit silly to some but, I'd like the IPod controls on the stereo to be easier to work with, especially for us stick shift drivers. I'd prefer it work like the Ipod like when you multi-dial up it sends you back to the last thing you where looking at because I lose my place alot while driving cause I have to shift. Or maybe like them to the steering wheel controls. The other thing I'd like is have a way for the vents to point to the steering wheel and shifter because we have winter here in Jersey and driving with those things freezing my hands is not fun. I've also got a few mechanical things I'd like to see but I don't think this is the place for it. But it is very nice to see the company caring about the drivers opinions.

[kbanksttc]

When you say the I-pod controls, are you talking about the track and menu toggle switch thats kind of like a joy stick? I myself am not too familiar with these controls as the few times I get to drive tC's I usually forget to even turn the radio on. Thank you for the replies, keep it comming!

[Soulbane]

What do I want?

Balanced Crank, more aggressive cams, Redline at 7k and forged internals.

Yeah baby.


/wake up from dream

[Soulbane]

Oh, and a stock LSD.

[TBITB]

a slightly shorter 3rd gear. it seems like it takes forever to get it from 2 to 3 and 4 to 3. now i cant downshift into 3rd w/o an embarrassing crunch .

[Soulbane]

Rev/Match downshift?

Or some form of rev/match downshifting?

[Speedstar]

A 6th gear would be nice. I actually like the transmission, very smooth overall. Probably the most easy car that I have ever driven. But I do agree with Soulbane. More power would be great. For a 2.4 (or 2.5)L I think it should have more punch out of the speed department.

[Figaro]

When you say the I-pod controls, are you talking about the track and menu toggle switch thats kind of like a joy stick? I myself am not too familiar with these controls as the few times I get to drive tC's I usually forget to even turn the radio on. Thank you for the replies, keep it comming!

Yea, it's the round joystick thing on the right side of the console. The thing itself is fine, I just don't like the way the navigation is programmed.

[kbanksttc]

Alright guys, the moment of truth is approaching. I'll do my best to remember what has been suggested and try to squeeze in a few other request. I can't promise anything but I really appreciate your feedback and enthusiasm.

Thanks Again!

Kelly B.

[pwee08]

i would also like to bring up the colors of the dashboard gauges,radio and so on, It would be cool if we could pick a certain color when buying the car or just change the color on all and make it a stock feature. The orange is nice but a lot of people like the blue colored lights it makes it looks very smooth and stylish and come on isn't the scion all about its unique style...

[navylife59]

Performance
6-speed manual with LSD geared better to match the 2AZ-FE torque curve. Can be an option to keep base price tC the same. VVT-i on both the intake and the exhaust camshafts. Better designed s-pipe. Shorter clutch throw.

Ergonomics
Telescoping steering. Redesign shifter for better throw and ergonomics.

Preferences
LED color change on all the gauges and controls. Better clear coat paint that is more scratch resistant.

Wish List
True AWD system.

[TBITB]

truly feelin led guage options. i hate the amber and no one has responded to my requests for surface mount leds. so i have to buy them and install them myself !

[navylife59]

You must of missed the thread in the audio/electronics section. We have a member 'hotrice' that does LED swaps. PM him to find out more.

[TBITB]

You must of missed the thread in the audio/electronics section. We have a member 'hotrice' that does LED swaps. PM him to find out more.

thanks navy will do. still havent gotten to all the threads since this site has so much useful info!

[H.Series tC]

A 6th gear would be great, as a bonus it would add that exotic import feel.

The gauges would definitely benefit from a redesign. Tach in the center, color selector, kinda like what ford did with the mustang. You can select a color at any time, all you have to do is toggle through.(red, blue, green, yellow, purple, etc.) All the LED's synced together like that would be cool.

[KTeevan]

all of these ideas are great, i would love a 6th gear too, although i cant trade my '06 in yet, but i would love to pick up a new one if it was a 6 speed, not to mention i think it would be a little quicker. maybe even up the hp a little more? maybe 170?

[kbanksttc]

Yeah so it ended up being multiple choice style but at least the guy that administered the evaluation was conversing with me and he totally understands where I'm (we) comming from. I think those of us that are reasonable will be very happy with the next gen tC.