2009 Scion xD Release Series 2.0

2009 Scion xD Release Series 2.0

Whenever a car company releases a green car, especially if it's a hybrid, it's usually shown in a green color. The first several thousand Ford Escape Hybrids all seemed to come in a kind of pale metallic green, and other makers use similar colors.

Now Toyota's mischievous little brother, Scion, has released its own green car. Meaning, it's really green. As in, that same pale green paint. Nope, it's not a hybrid. It's just ... green.

The 2009 Scion xD Release Series 2.0, to give it its full and cumbersome official name, is offered only in exclusive Electric Wasabi green exterior paint. (Wasabi is the spicy green paste you mix into soy sauce when you order sushi; if you didn't know that ... well, maybe Scion doesn't think you're its kind of customer.)

It's one of a growing collection of Scion "Release Series" vehicles. Basically, they're limited-edition trim packages with special colors. Last year's (2008 Scion xD Release Series 1.0, natch), was called Hot Lava.

In this case, only 1,600 copies of the special edition five-door hatchback 2009 Scion xD Release Series 2.0 will be offered.

The Series 2.0 has some unique interior features, including a touchscreen Pioneer Audio Visual Navigation (AVN) head unit with a 6-inch LCD touch-panel display. What's that? It's basically the central connection and control center for all your audio and entertainment gear.

You can get your music into the Pioneer system in several ways: It has a USB jack, an SD card slot, and iPod connectivity. You can even play iPod videos on the screen--but only if the parking brake is on (no watching 'The Hills' while you're driving, kids).

The head unit contains its own flash memory, accepts spoken commands via voice recognition, and syncs to your various devices--including a mobile phone--via Bluetooth. And it's capable of connecting to additional, extra-cost options: satellite radio (e.g. Sirius XM), HD radio, and a rear-view camera.

Other special features?  You can customize the video screen with more than 32,000 different colors. And you can download a routing application to your home computer, build a directory of your destinations, and then transfer that data to the head unit.

On the outside, as well as that Electric Wasabi paint, there are special wheel covers and a color-coordinated spoiler is "available as an option" for $285, plus installation. (That's how Scion make its money, by the way, since between factory and dealer-installed options, you can find you've added another 50 percent to the price of your Scion once you're done customizing it.)

Finally, there are four-in-one interior lights and special door sills with the words "Release 2.0" back-lit in white lighting, along with individually numbered badges. Just so you know that this ain't just any old 2009 Scion xD, right?

The base price of the 2009 Scion xD Release Series 2.0 is $16,590 with a manual transmission. Add $800 for the automatic. (Pricing on Scions delivered in the southeast and gulf states may vary slightly.)

2009 Scion xD Release Series 2.0 - Pioneer Audio Visual Navigation head unit

2009 Scion xD Release Series 2.0 - Pioneer Audio Visual Navigation head unit

2009 Scion xD Release Series 2.0 - backlit door sill

2009 Scion xD Release Series 2.0 - backlit door sill

2009 Scion xD Release Series 2.0 - numbered badge

2009 Scion xD Release Series 2.0 - numbered badge

2009 Scion xD Release Series 2.0

2009 Scion xD Release Series 2.0