Toyota Zelas to Be a Rebadged Scion tC, in China This Year

A few days ago, in late December to be more specific, Toyota presented what it calls the Zelas, a model that will go on sale in China this year through Guangzhou Toyota. Especially aimed at the young segment, the car will actually be a rebadged Scion tC, a model that's already on sale in the United States. The 2011 version of the tC, the version the Zelas will be based on, was unveiled at the 2010 NYIAS and borrows styling cues from the Fuse concept.

Specific technical details on the model aren't yet available, but expect to see the same 2.5-liter engine that develops 180 horsepower powering the Chinese model as well. The 2011 edition of the tC raises power by as much as 19 horsepower as compared to the predecessor, while torque is increased by 11 lb-ft. Other performance enhancements include a new intake manifold design and a sport-tuned exhaust system.

Gasgoo.com writes that the options list will include a large number of parts but in the United States, the car is being offered as standard with AM/FM/CD/USB audio system with eight speakers plus steering-wheel mounted controls that allow the drivers to browse through multimedia settings.

Safety is enhanced with the installation of ABS, VSC, traction control, EBD and BA, with eight airbags offered as standard.

Toyota hasn't mentioned whether it intends to change equipment levels in China, but information is likely to surface in the upcoming months. Pricing will probably be unveiled in a few months, as Toyota moves forward to begin Zelas sales.