Toyota Zelas - The Gen2 tC Doppelganger

[navylife59]

Toyota has cross-branded all the Scion models in other markets under the Toyota badge save for the tC. It is strictly an American market vehicle only. Well, that was until now. The 2011 Scion tC (Gen2) has been rebadged to the new for 2011 Toyota Zelas. The only thing that looks different is the badging and the spec sheet is in metric. These cars look to be mainly aimed at the Middle Eastern market, though I did find an ad for it in Peru. Toyota is a well respected brand in the Middle East with the vast majority of the vehicles being Toyota so it looks like the company is testing the viability for the car there. Here is an online review form the sandbox.

But wait! There's more.

Holy crap! The Gen2 has gone Chinese? What that deuce?
Toyota Zelas to enter China in dual version - GlobalTimes

Apparently China does not have many youth-oriented sports vehicles.

So what does this all mean. Did Toyota just bastardized the tC? That remains to be seen. One benefit that might materialize would be other optional parts, much like, the rear wiper on the demonstration car in Peru. One could hope that the Zelas will make it into a market where AWD is king. Doubtful that the Zelas will end up in Japan anytime soon but the the Japanese tuner companies might take more notice.

[CadenceScion]

I have to admit the Zelas is pretty slick and fast to boot. I saw a video on Youtube of the Zelas racing another vehicle and the Zelas smoked it, I will look for the video and post it so you can see for yourself. The only thing I personally don't care for is the rear wiper. Every vehicle I have seen them on they look hideous, they rust and worse they end up failing. Pick up yourself a bottle of Rain-X and problem solved.

[CadenceScion]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4vXHQzfGeA

[navylife59]

Watched it. That is where I saw the rear wiper.

[navylife59]

Still works so it is problem on your end with your browser. Try copying the entire URL and paste it in the address bar of your browser.


Cadence, I am about 99.2% positive that the Gen2 door panels will fit on the Gen1 door. The 0.8% is that, with out taking off the Gen2 door panel, I am unsure if there will be any mods for the mounting. Ya, the salesman was not sure it was a good idea to let me take the door panel off the showroom car.