Scion Hako Coupe Concept

Update: A couple of things cropped up since this article was written. Firstly, Automotive News is quoting Jack Hollis, Scion vice president, as saying that a production version of the Hako would not replace any existing model. Secondly, a number of people have pointed out that the Hako has not fared well in the blogosphere. My response is that I'm not necessarily advocating a four door Hako as an xB, but rather the spirit of the Hako. When the Scion brand was launched, it was my understanding that Scion would never repeat itself and that each new model would be drastically different. That's way I was so disappointed by the overly safe xB replacement that seemed to be a focus group influenced design gone wrong. No matter what car you ask buyers about, I'm sure there will always be those who say "make it bigger" or "make it more powerful" but that doesn't mean that you should.

Well the New York show's press days are over and one of the most polarizing concepts was Scion's Hako Coupe. Many enthusiasts had speculated that the Hako would foreshadow the next tC, but the bright orange monster that arrived at the Javits Center was having none of that.

So what is it? What the second generation xB should have been, in my opinion. The first xB was a small, efficient, odd shaped box that won hearts with its wacky styling and amazing interior space. The fuel efficient mill under the hood didn't inspire drag racing, but was style adequate to sport around town in when equipped with a manual. What showed up as a followup can could best be described as the xB arriving at its 10 year high school reunion all over weight and out of shape. Where had those trim dimensions gone? Not the right move in my book. Now, had this Hako shown up instead, people would have said WTF? I think that this kind of styling attitude is what Scion needs to maintain its edgy, outside the box image.

I have been worried about Scion's direction with the release of the current xB and xD, but this Hako Coupe gives me some hope that Scion still knows how to mess with people's heads.