Toyota Issues Massive Global Recall For 7.4 Million Vehicles Over Faulty Power Window Glitch

After the 10 million-vehicle recall in 2009 and 2010 over the infamous unintended acceleration problems, Toyota has once again been hit by a massive recall that concerns a lofty 7.43 million vehicles.

This time, the issue on hand is a faulty power window switch in 14 different models, which may malfunction and offer a “notchy” or sticky feel during operation. The use of a commercial lubricant, instead of the special fluorine grease used by the factory, may result in the melting of the switch and the emission of smoke.

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Scion Reveals New 2012 xD RS 4.0 and xB RS 9.0

At the 2011 State Fair of Texas, Scion revealed two new limited production models as part of its "RS" series based on the 2012MY xB and xD, both of which will begin arriving in showrooms in October.

Starting with the xD Release Series 4.0, it is offered exclusively in a Blizzard Pearl exterior paint and comes equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels finished in a smoked platinum color.

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2011 Scion xD RS 3.0: New Limited Edition Priced from $17,765

Toyota's Scion division has revealed its first [of many more to come] limited edition vehicle for the 2011 model year, the xD Release Series 3.0, which will begin arriving in showrooms later this month.

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New Scion xD RS 2.0: Final Special Edition Model for 2009 Goes All Green

Toyota's seemingly youthful Scion brand has cranked out more limited/special edition models than we can remember, but it all it comes to an end for this year with the market launch of the new xD Release Series 2.0 that's due to arrive at dealer showrooms later this month. Scion said that it will only build 1,600 units of the xD RS 2.0 that is offered exclusively in what the firm calls 'Electric Wasabi' green exterior paint. More like 'washed out green' if you ask us, but whatev.

The same color accents the xD's interior that also features four-in-one interior lights, and "RS 2.0" door sills illuminated with white back lighting. Silver accented seat fabric and individually numbered badging complete the looks.

The car's standard equipment includes a 5.8-inch touch screen Pioneer Audio Visual Navigation (AVN) head unit with flash memory, voice recognition, and Bluetooth. Pioneer's unit is also satellite radio, rear view camera and HD Radio ready and will play iPod videos just as long as the driver engages the parking brake.

The xD RS 2.0 carries a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $1,270 over the standard car, at $14,650 for the XD with a manual gearbox and $15,450 with an automatic transmission. Add to that a delivery, processing and handling fee of $670 and you're all set.

Scion Limited Edition xD RS 1.0 With DAMD Bodykit

The third limited-production Scion for 2008, the xD Release Series 1.0 (xD RS 1.0) is set to go on sale this June with prices set at $16,549 with a manual gearbox and $17,349 with an automatic transmission.

Scion has differentiated the RS 1.0 from its other siblings with a “hot-lava” exterior paint-job, a DAMD body kit, rear spoiler, lower springs and… unique hub-caps. Inside, the 2,000 units of the special edition xD feature Hot Lava accented seats and interior trim, a RAZO Release Series shift knob and an individual numbered badge. -Click through for the mage gallery

Geneva Preview: Toyota Urban Cruiser Compact Crossover

At next month's Geneva Motor Show, Toyota will unveil the newest addition to its European crossover line-up, the Urban Cruiser. The compact crossover, which was presented last year in the Japanese market as the Toyota Ist, is nothing more than a Scion xD with a few styling changes and a slightly higher ground clearance.

According to Toyota’s Spartan press release, the Urban Cruiser is "an environmentally responsible small SUV aimed at the urban all-roader market. It provides an answer to consumer desires for SUVs but with low fuel consumption and low emissions.” Whatever.

SEMA: Scion xD Widebody by Five Axis Design

Now here’s a Scion xD that I wouldn’t actually mind seeing parked in my garage –well, if I had a garage, that is. The widebody kit is beautifully integrated to the xD which is painted in a vigorous Papaya Orange color. The kit is complemented by 20-inch alloy wheels in 245/30 R20 Yokohama rubber up front and 295/25 R20 in the rear.

As you can see in the detailed list after the jump, Scion’s SEMA-fied xD is filled with aftermarket components and accessories like the suspension and brake kits, Sparco racing seats and DVD player. Disappointingly, the supped Scion xD doesn’t feature any engines mods whatsoever. Too bad, we were just starting to like it. -Details and pics after the jump

FIVE AXIS DESIGN - SCION xD WIDEBODY

01 EXTERIOR

• Five Axis Design 6” Widebody

• Papaya Orange paint

02 ENGINE

• No modifications

03 EXHAUST

• Five Axis Unique Finishers

04 WHEELS

• FIVE:AD R6:F_SPEC

F: 20 x 8.5, +0

R: 20 x 10.5, +20

Satin aluminum finish

05 TIRES

• Yokohama Advan Sport

F: 245/30 ZR20

R: 295/25 ZR20

06 SUSPENSION

• TEIN Super Street Damper

• TRD strut brace

07 BRAKES

• Stoptech Big Brake Upgrade

F: 355mm x 32mm, ST40 4-piston Caliper

R: 328mm x 28mm, ST22 2-piston Caliper

08 INTERIOR

• Five Axis Design Interior Appointments

• Sparco Faster steering wheel

• Sparco Litium shift knob

• Sparco Reflex racing pedals

• Upholstery by Salt Turin Upholstery

09 SEATS

• Sparco Sienna sport seats

10 ICE

• Pioneer AVIC D3 navigation head unit

• Monster Car Audio cables and wires

• Real-time video capture

• Four exterior LCD screens

11 GAMING FEATURE

• Five Axis Modified Smart Industries 6” Claw Vending Machine

• Five Axis Design Plush Souvenir Toy Car SWAG

2007 SEMA: Scion xD Dalek Speedster

Wow, doesn’t this concept look like someone simply chopped the roof off a Scion xD? Now that we mention it, someone actually did. Of course, just by saying that we wouldn’t do justice to the work that went behind the transformation of the 2008 xD into a speedster. The Dalek Scion xD features tons of accessories like the fully hidden interior roll-cage, the hand-carved beechwood trim and the champagne box between the custom built and stitched diamond-tucked black leather rear seats. Still, it does look kinda odd, doesn’t it… -Details and high-res images after the jump

DALEK - SCION xD

Exterior

• JG gunmetal gray exterior paint

• Black front bumper paint accents

• Black-chrome finished Scion emblems

• Five Axis lip spoiler kit (front, rear, sides)

• Speedster style chopped exterior (roof and hatch removed)

• Speedster aluminum side mirrors

• Fully hidden interior roll-cage and bracing for body panel support

• Chopped front windshield 7.0” lower

• Shaved door handles front and rear

• Smoked taillights and headlights

• Removed upper portion of rear hatch

• Welded lower portion of rear hatch

• Molded rear hatch to rear quarter panels

• Beveled rear slats for hatch cover

• Beveled lip edge on doors to accommodate paneling

• Custom beechwood rear hatch cover w/chrome details

• Graphics by Fast signs Seattle

Interior modifications

• Custom built and stitched diamond-tucked black leather front and rear seats

• Custom stitched diamond-tucked door panel inserts

• Hand-carved beechwood door trim panels

• Hand-carved beechwood center console panels

• Custom beechwood rear center console

• Hidden 7.0” monitor and hidden champagne and flutes

• Custom “woodgrain” airbrushed dash trim paneling

• Autometer platinum series gauges mounted in custom dash

• Grant classic wood steering wheel and hub adaptor

• Speedster rear-view mirror mounted on dash

• TRD aluminum sport pedals

Wheels, tires, and suspension

• DPE GT7 Forged aluminum wheels

• Gloss black lips with flat black centers

• 20x8 front and 20x9.5 rear

• BFGoodrich g-force tires

• 225/30zr-20 front

• 245/30zr-20 rear

• Tanabe lowering springs
• TRD rear sway bar