Tiny Terror: 2012 Scion iQ

Vehicle Features Steven Loung

Photography by Queue Gonzalez

Over the past year, you’ve probably noticed the little Scion iQ project car that we’ve diligently been working on and tracking within these very pages. If you haven’t you should definitely check it out. But all good things must come to an end and, like any proud parent, it is with great pride and slight apprehension that we say goodbye to the Project Scion iQ, as it is finally ready to take on the big, bright world!

For those unfamiliar with the pint-sized project car, the PASMAG Scion iQ is almost entirely an audio/video and aesthetic build. In a nutshell, this means there was no work done to the engine, exhaust or drive train. The upgrades were done solely for cosmetic and entertainment purposes.

Plenty has already been written about the installation process of each component. Here, we’ll focus on how the modifications have improved the look of the already striking car, and the reasons behind the design.

To begin, the exterior of the car features a Five Axis FIVE:AD four-piece aero kit to widen the body of the car and round out the shape, as the iQ naturally looks a little boxy. Ibherdesign fender flares give the vehicle a more aggressive look and a Versus Motorsports carbon fiber hood is the perfect complement to the body’s textured silver vinyl wrap.

To contrast the iQ’s body color, 205/45R17 Yokohamas are wrapped around black König 17x7.5 Black Deception rims. In contrast with the silver paint job and the tiny stature of the iQ, your eyes are immediately forced to these jet black monstrosities. But we weren’t satisfied with just that, as we added red, powder coated Willwood big brakes to draw even more attention to the car’s feet. The fact that these brakes add greatly improve stopping power is just the cherry on top.

Finally, as a last bit of external aesthetic enhancement, we lowered the car using TRD springs, effectively transforming the cute little iQ’s exterior into that of a menacing, stocky running back ready to punch through the hole.

Inside the vehicle you’ll notice the stock seats have been replaced by Sparco Chrono Road racing seats and, most importantly, there are a whole lot of electronic goodies to play with.

In total, the car features six Clarion 6.5-inch SRQ 1632 speakers, a Clarion PXW 1051 subwoofer, 4/3/2-channel power amplifier and a gigantic Samsung 32-inch LCD HDTV in the back. Up front, there’s a Clarion NX501 head unit harnessing this power while a Clifford alarm system helps keep our investment safe.

Other audio/video modifications include sound deadening, Got Wirez speaker wire and amp kits, and a Sony PS3 – making for a package that will keep any electronics buff happy.

The purpose behind turning our little iQ into an audio monster stems from our desire to transform a tiny car into something that’s figuratively larger than it actually is. By giving it the capability to pump out louder and better sound, it has a voice that can’t be ignored.

The other modifications to the car support this theme, from the oversized wheels to the aggressive body kit and the lowered stance. Every choice in this build design was made with the intention of making the iQ bigger.

There’s an old saying that big things come in small packages. In the case of the PASMAG Project Scion iQ, ‘big’ isn’t a grand enough word for what we molded our baby into.

Essentials:

Model: 2012 Scion iQ
Built by: PAS, 20Hz Audio, MT Motorsports, Car Aid Custom Body Shop, RestyleIt.ca
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Engine: Stock
Horsepower: Stock

Chassis / Suspension:

TRD (front and rear lowering springs)

Wheels / Tires / Brakes:

König Black Deception wheels - 17x7.5 (f/r)
Yokohama NEOVA tires - 205/45R17 (f/r)
McGard tuner style lug nuts
Willwood Big Brake kit (red powder coated four-piston clapper big brakes with cross drilled rotors (f))

Exterior:

Five Axis FIVE:AD four-piece aero kit
Versus Motorsports carbon fiber hood
Ibherdesign (party fender flares, trunk spoiler, hood spoiler)
RestyleIt.ca custom vinyl installation
GT Graphix vinyl
Lumens High Performance HIDs

Interior:

Lumens High Performance interior lights
Sparco Chrono Road race seats

Audio / Mobile Electronics:

Clarion (NX501 head unit, 10-in. PXW 1051 subwoofer, 6.5-in. SRQ 1632 speakers (x6), 4/3/2 channel power amplifier, back up camera)
Clifford Alarm 590.2X (security system w/ remote start)
Got Wirez (sound deadening, speaker wire, amp kits)
Samsung 32-in. LCD HD TV
Sony Playstation 3

Sponsors:

20Hz Audio, Advan Carbon Technologies, Air Runner Systems, Auto Style USA, Car Aid Customs, Clarion, Clifford, Fixe Axis, Ibherdesign Automotive Styling, Johnston Research Performance, König Wheels, Lumens High Performance Lighting, McGard, MT Motorsports, RestyleIt, Scion, TRD, Wilwood, Wirez, Yokohama Tire

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