Whether you think it's massively cool or just as far down on the ugly spectrum, the Scion Hako coupe concept was one of the most unusual and interesting-looking cars unveiled at New York's Javits Center today.
Actually, Jack Hollis, Scion vice president, is kind of hoping you won't like it. "If you think it's ugly, great. That's perfect. As you know, polarizing style fits in well with our lineup."
So do boxes. "Hako" means "box" in Japanese. But this is a smaller box than the current-generation Scion xB. Curiously, it's almost identical in size to the current generation of the Japanese-market Nissan Cube
, which today Nissan confirmed would be coming to the U.S. following a redesign (with an unveil at the L.A. auto show). This also means it has a Mini Cooper-size footprint, though the Hako is a couple inches wider. We also think it looks a bit like the Japan-only Toyota bB
.
But Hollis was keen to emphasize the "coupe" part of the Scion Hako coupe concept, which is the work of Toyota's Tokyo design studio. "It's a very large departure from the xB," he told us. "It's a whole new variation on what a coupe could be."
At the same time, there's apparently a strong retro element to this concept. "The Hako Coupe's high beltline, vertical windshield and strong flared fenders are reminiscent of classic American coupes popular with trend-setting youth," Hollis said. He was referring to Japanese youth, obviously, but we're struggling to come up with any American car that looks anything like the Scion Hako coupe. Ideas, anyone?
Although we think the Hako is basically a two-door Nissan Cube, we kind of like the idea of it joining the Scion lineup simply because it's polarizing bordering on unattractive. The current Scions play it way too safe with styling.
However, we get the feeling that Scion hasn't yet decided what to do with the Hako coupe. Hollis said the brand could expand to include as many as six nameplates. "Will we have a truck in our lineup? Does it make sense to have a hybrid powertrain? Is a subcompact roadster the answer? Or will an SUV ever be viable for us? We don't know the answers quite yet, but we're very open-minded."
So here's the kind of Scion we'd like to see: a small, affordable, rear-drive car that looks good and handles even better. -- Erin Riches, Senior Editor, Inside Line
But Hollis was keen to emphasize the "coupe" part of the Scion Hako coupe concept, which is the work of Toyota's Tokyo design studio. "It's a very large departure from the xB," he told us. "It's a whole new variation on what a coupe could be."
At the same time, there's apparently a strong retro element to this concept. "The Hako Coupe's high beltline, vertical windshield and strong flared fenders are reminiscent of classic American coupes popular with trend-setting youth," Hollis said. He was referring to Japanese youth, obviously, but we're struggling to come up with any American car that looks anything like the Scion Hako coupe. Ideas, anyone?
Although we think the Hako is basically a two-door Nissan Cube, we kind of like the idea of it joining the Scion lineup simply because it's polarizing bordering on unattractive. The current Scions play it way too safe with styling.
However, we get the feeling that Scion hasn't yet decided what to do with the Hako coupe. Hollis said the brand could expand to include as many as six nameplates. "Will we have a truck in our lineup? Does it make sense to have a hybrid powertrain? Is a subcompact roadster the answer? Or will an SUV ever be viable for us? We don't know the answers quite yet, but we're very open-minded."
So here's the kind of Scion we'd like to see: a small, affordable, rear-drive car that looks good and handles even better. -- Erin Riches, Senior Editor, Inside Line
SubyTrojan says:
03:15 PM, 03/19/08
From the profile view, it looks like a bright iron. :o)
lmpracetech says:
04:52 PM, 03/19/08
That is pretty rad. I dont know about that windshield, its going to be really noisy and I cant wait till the bugs starts hitting it up...
rsholland says:
05:16 PM, 03/19/08
He was referring to Japanese youth, obviously, but we're struggling to come up with any American car that looks anything like the Scion Hako coupe.
Erin, it's Scion's "Lil' Deuce Coupe," a.k.a. a hot rod '32 Ford 5-window coupe. :)
Actually, it really reminds me of a '32 Ford "Victoria," which was sort of a cross between the 5-window coupe and the 2-door sedan, resulting in a "stubby" 2-door sedan with just a very subtle hint of a rear deck.
http://www.hotrodhotline.com/classifieds/images/2213288.jpg
I think this is a very cool concept. I'd love to see them make it.
xcargrl says:
06:00 PM, 03/19/08
"DITTO" to what rsholland said. That was my first impression too. It reminds me of what we saw cruising up and down Speedway and in and out of Johnnie's on weekends in the 60's. Very cute!
iancar says:
06:01 PM, 03/19/08
How can the biggest car company gets so wrong this time?
stovt001 says:
08:28 PM, 03/19/08
Amazing! I never thought anyone could out ugly Scion. Not only did they out-ugly themselves, they guaranteed no one could ever beat that ugliness even if they tried really hard. I'd donate to any politician who made this car illegal due to its eye-sore status.
picswim says:
05:41 AM, 03/20/08
I thought the xA was the ugliest.
Sir Mix-A-Lot says "Baby got back"
sandcountry360 says:
07:43 AM, 03/20/08
Anyone else think it looks like a Fuse (Last years Scion concept) with it's roof raised and the windows squared-off? I actually think it looks kind of neat (and I'm NOT a Funky-Trendy car type of guy), especially in that photo of the back. But I do have to wonder what that windshield does to the fuel economy.
And, stovt001, I SERIOUSLY hope you were joking. The LAST thing we need is some stupid Politician telling us what our Cars have to look like. Actually, throw spend our money and make technologically-based decisions on that list too, but unfortunatley those are foregone conclusions.
kurtamaxxxguy says:
07:53 AM, 03/20/08
All things old become all things new. Reminds me of the Baker electric, or the Citroen 2CV.
It'll be easy for some customizer to chop its roof for that true gun slit look.
alman08 says:
08:19 AM, 03/20/08
I have always thought the Aztek was ugly...
ateixeira says:
08:47 AM, 03/20/08
AAAAH MY EYES!
Please make 'em stop!
Looks like an unwanted love child of a Chevy SSR pickup and a xB.
iskch says:
09:20 AM, 03/20/08
Uggghhh. What the ..... Scion XB wanna be classic hot rod? Plain UGLY.
estreka says:
05:43 PM, 03/20/08
I don't know what to think personally, but I am glad to see Scion isn't giving up style without a fight. Resist your Camry-producing overlords!
jerrywimer says:
04:13 AM, 03/21/08
I don't like it- the laid-a-block-on-top-of-an-old-American-coupe look stinks. However, ironically, if someone were to do what kurt says and chop the top to about 1/2 the current height, that might completely change my mind!
Oh, yeah, and make it RWD, with decent ponies under the hood. Otherwise they might as well label it the Prowler.
ateixeira says:
06:04 AM, 03/21/08
Don't get me wrong, I really liked the original Scion lineup.
This concept looks backwards.
You want the vertical, flat window in the BACK, where it serves a function, not in the front.
That curved back window should be the windshield, for aerodynamic purposes.
It looks like the top half of the car was put on backwards.
That plus the bottom doesn't match the top. Even if it did, it would probably look like a PT Cruiser.
technetium99 says:
05:21 PM, 03/21/08
Well, they succeeded in one mission. They have come up with a car so ugly it makes the current xB look good by comparison. Someone needs to tell Scions designers that "If you build it, they will come," is just a line in a movie.
82nis says:
03:49 AM, 03/24/08
can this be! your xb just mutated into this...kinda cool...kinda weird...but it will stand out ^_^
SubyTrojan says:
10:10 AM, 04/ 1/08
Some of you out there will get a kick out of this (HTML used due to link length).
k55 says:
03:10 PM, 05/29/09
I love it!!! It reminds me of Millner's 32 Ford Duece Coupe in American Graffitti. It they could just rake the windshield just a bit.... Yes absolutely bring it to reality.