Article from eNews from Toyota of Des Moines

Instead of offering boring design and a lack of individuality, Scion models can stand out in a crowd. That is most certainly true of the mighty little Scion xD with its attractive sheet metal and extensive customization opportunities provided by Scion accessories. As special as the xD five-door is out of the box, however, some buyers are looking for something more. For that buyer, Scion offers the limited edition xD Release Series 4.0.

This special edition xD comes only with premium Blizzard Pearl exterior paint. This unique color is also incorporated into the interior design, as the cabin has been fitted with like-colored trim pieces on the steering wheel, center console and door panels. The xD RS 4.0 also features unique seating surfaces wrapped in a distinctively patterned soft-touch material and white stitching. Even the carpeted floor and cargo mats feature the “RS” logo and white stitching around the border.

The xD RS 4.0 also features unique 16-inch alloy wheels that are finished in smoked platinum color. To further differentiate this special release xD, Scion also adds an individually numbered badge. That number will never reach four digits, either, as Scion is limiting production of the xD RS 4.0 to only 800 vehicles. That is one extremely limited supply of xD RS 4.0 models, but Scion made sure that a small production run didn’t lead to a high price. Quite the opposite, actually, as the xD RS 4.0 starts at only $16,250 when equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, and $17,050 when equipped with an automatic transmission.

The xD RS 4.0 also features all the terrific standard features of the xD including a Pioneer audio system that boasts HD Radio, Bluetooth compatibility and 160 watts of total power. The xD also offers a standard USB port with iPod connectivity and six high-quality speakers. That is a pretty comprehensive list for a vehicle that starts at only $16,250, and that tech can be controlled without ever taking your hands off the tilt steering wheel via the redundant audio controls and an easy to access cruise control stalk.

The xD RS 4.0 is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine packing 128 hp and 125 lb/ft of torque – a lot of power for a hatchback that features up to 35.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity, but it doesn’t hurt the driver at the pump. The xD can travel an EPA-estimated 33 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg in the city.