2008 New York Auto Show: Scion Hako Coupe Concept Preview

– In its never-ending quest to appeal to modern trendsetting youth – which is about as fast a moving target as you can possibly have – Scion is continually reinventing itself. The Hako Coupe concept is one iteration of a future Scion that we may (or may not) see in production. Mostly a styling exercise, the Hako Coupe concept takes styling cues from classic American hot rods of all things, but with a uniquely Japanese twist.

– So far, nobody has hooked into youth-inspired trends better than Scion, although the newest version of the xB hasn’t done as well as the company hoped. The Hako Coupe is one way Scion may approach the market in the future. Whether it makes it to production is anybody’s guess, but it shows that the junior division of Toyota is still thinking behind the scenes at what the next generation of Scion buyers will want.

“Hako” means “box” in Japanese, a fact that is somewhat obvious when you first lay eyes on the Hako Coupe concept unveiled at the New York Auto Show. Slathered in bright orange and packed with advanced features for active youths, the Hako’s strongest feature is its unique style. One of the first things to jump to mind is a classic T-Bucket hot rod, or maybe even a '32 Ford (think ZZ Top’s babe-laden ride from the 80s).

But the Hako signals more than just forward-thinking design. Scion’s mission is to appeal to trendsetting youth, which is one of the fastest moving targets there is. What was hot last week is cold this one...which may explain why the new Scion xB hasn’t done as well as the old one. No matter, Scion is on the case, and this car – what Scion calls a blending of Japanese and American youth culture – may signal the way forward in the next few years (hint, think third-generation xB).

If there’s one constant about today’s youth, it’s that they’re gadget freaks. So the Hako coupe caters to them with a number of features designed to keep the passengers entertained, and the driver as well.

Referring to the interior as “an integrated futuristic youth lounge,” the interior’s gaming theme is expressed in a number of ways. The driver’s steering wheel houses a video screen and a track ball control on one of the spokes. The idea is to provide integration with a number of devices such as the ubiquitous iPod. The passenger’s side features two video screens to keep channel-surfing youth entertained. Even the rear passengers get video screens. They’re mounted on the side panels in the rear, and are hooked up to cameras mounted on the sides of the Hako, allowing passengers to “edit the scenes captured by the cameras to show their friends where they have been.” Really.

The Hako is pure concept, that is, there were no mentions of drivetrains publicly announced. However, when pressed, Scion officials said that if something like the Hako were to go into production, it would likely be based off of a current Scion offering, perhaps the xD.

Powertrain choices would likely reflect the growing concern over fuel economy. In other words, something small and possibly turbocharged. All wheel drive could also be in the mix, but since nothing has been green lighted, it’s all speculation at this point.

The Hako design follows a couple of different themes and draws from a few different places. Currently, the hot thing for Japanese youth is vintage American style, which explains the throwback looks of the Hako.

The profile of the Hako resembles a cross between T-Bucket and 32 Ford hot rods...we half expected a gaggle of 80s babes to get out accompanied by ZZ Top guitar riffs. But that’s retro in the wrong direction, and this one has its own way of doing things. The high nose gives the front fenders a pontoon-like look, and the LED headlights are echoed in the rear almost exactly by the taillights and the rest of the rear end styling. The wraparound rear glass is also a cool touch.

But it’s the windshield that generates the most conversation. It’s virtually perpendicular to the ground, and by far the most eye-grabbing design feature. One editor commented that it almost makes the Hako look like it’s designed backwards; imagine that it were a cab-over front with a short truck bed in back and you’ll see what he means. Such a vertical piece of glass would likely never make it into production, since the aerodynamics of it would be miserable, and the wind noise extraordinary. Still, as a styling element, it’s hard to beat.

The interior is also very youth-driven, with a lounge-like feel incorporating four bucket seats and the aforementioned electronic wizardry. With so many buttons to push and things to look at, we wonder how distracted drivers might get during their travels. On the other hand, for a generation raised on quick-cut MTV reality shows, maybe that’s not a concern.

By Keith Buglewicz Photo credit: Oliver Bentley, Scion