New Scion iM Concept Show-Prepped for LA Premiere

Today we have another teaser for a new Japanese car coming to next month’s 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. It’s the new Scion iM Concept, and today we’re seeing a few test shots taken ahead of the car’s official premiere:

As you can see, this is the dictionary definition of a teaser. Between two images, we can barely make out a full picture of the front fascia, and Scion’s press release isn’t doing us any favors either. At a hair over 75 words, this is everything we know about the Scion iM Concept:

TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 22, 2014 — Like any new star about to step out on the world stage in Los Angeles, Scion’s new iM Concept car is taking some test shots.  The photos, also debuting on Instagram, reveal the distinctively sporty front end of the car as it gets ready for the spotlight. The iM Concept car reflects the evolution of Scion as the needs and desires of its youthful customers also evolve. Fans are encouraged to join the conversation at #iMDriven.

Looking at the images, we see several sporty features: a sleek V-shaped grille, huge front air intakes, a unique lighting arrangement with trapezoidal LED fog lights, darkened chrome wheels with a new-looking brake system. We can also see that the front fascia is proportionally short, so the iM Concept is probably a small car.

Even though the press release doesn’t tell us anything about what the iM Concept could eventually become, deeper investigation paints a clearer picture:

First, note that Scion recently confirmed that the antiquated xB and xD compacts are getting the axe for the 2015MY. That leaves a pretty big (err, small?) hole in Scion’s lineup, so our guess is that this new iM Concept will likely fall into that category.

Others around the automotive blogosphere have guessed the same thing. Word on the virtual street is that the new iM Concept is probably a US-version of the European Toyota Auris. That makes even more sense since the Toyota Matrix is also getting nixed from next year’s lineup, and Toyota should be looking to test out an alternative offering on US soil.

The other possibility is that this car could be the result of the Mazda-Toyota partnership we’d heard about earlier this year. However, that car was supposed to be a sedan, and we’re really thinking the iM Concept is either a hatchback or station wagon.

Either way, the video production theme behind the Scion iM Concept’s teaser makes us think there’ll be a video follow-up sometime before the LA Auto Show next month. So, stay tuned!