Multimedia Masterpiece

The Scion product line represents Toyota's efforts to appeal to today's younger generation of car buyers. Just as Lexus was created to target the luxury-minded consumer, the Scion brand targets the more price-conscious buyer by offering many features typically found only in their big dollar counterparts at a fraction of the price. While the Scion's factory audio equipment is far better than what is typically offered in "affordable" vehicles, Pioneer had much bigger plans for the 2004 xB you see on these pages.

The goal for this project was to create a rolling multimedia showcase to demonstrate Pioneer's product line on the East Coast -- specifically, New York. What better way for Pioneer to capture the attention of the media than to incorporate its multimedia products into a Scion xB demo vehicle just as it becomes available to the public? Thanks to its close partnership with Toyota, Pioneer obtained a Scion xB that would soon be home to a multitude of audio video components. The installation was intended to demonstrate how technology found more commonly in home theater systems, with 5.1 surround sound, can also be easily incorporated into automobiles. Although small in size, the xB offered ample room to display a wide range of Pioneer's multimedia products. Pioneer's marketing guru Jaed Arzadon turned to Frank Sbrocca and the crew at Traffic Jamz of Encino, CA to perform the installation.

The core of the audio/video system is Pioneer's AVH-P7500DVD source unit mated to its AVIC-80DVD navigation system. The source unit features DVD-Audio and Video, MP3 player, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Digital Surround Sound, and built-in TV Tuner. The 7-inch motorized touchscreen monitor allows for easy, safe operation of all audio, video and navigation controls. Both DIN-sized units were installed in the factory radio location. XM Satellite radio was also installed as well as an Xbox, mounted beneath the passenger seat.

A Pioneer REV TS-C160R component set mounted in the factory speaker location in the front doors creates the xB's front stage. Both of the 6.5" mids and tweeters of the component set were mounted in a coaxial configuration in the bottom of each door, with an additional pair of Pioneer tweeters mounted in the factory locations at each corner of the dash. Out back, a pair of Pioneer REV TS-D160R 6.5" coaxials were dropped in the factory rear speaker locations for rear fill. A single Pioneer TS-CX7 center channel speaker was then mounted to the ceiling of the xB, centered between the visors, to complete the 5.1 surround sound effect.

Cargo space is now limited due to the elaborate subwoofer enclosure and ampracks that appear to be floating above the wiring display. For low-end duties, a single Pioneer TS-W255DVC 10" dual voice coil subwoofer was mounted in a custom-built fiberglass/MDF enclosure that spans the width of the cargo area. Mounted below the sub enclosure are the two Pioneer GMX-574 four-channel amplifiers that power the entire system. The amplifiers were mounted on separate pedestals suspended above the wiring display that houses the Scosche stiffening capacitors and accessories. The sub enclosure and all exposed panels were either trimmed in gray and black vinyl or painted in the same shades to match the interior of the vehicle.

To demonstrate the various ways in which mobile video can be incorporated into the xB, four Pioneer monitors were installed in different configurations in the rear of the vehicle. Two AVR-W6100 drop-down monitors were installed into the ceiling of the vehicle, one for rear seat passengers, and one in the cargo area for demonstration purposes. Two AVD-W6200 monitors were also installed to demonstrate two additional mounting configurations. One of the monitors was flush-mounted into the passenger seat headrest, while the second monitor was installed using Pioneer's quick install kit that attaches to the headrest support on driver's seat. The kit secures the monitor to a movable arm, which allows for nearly infinite viewing angles. Pioneer's CD-VS33 audio/video selector allows the passengers to access the DVD video, Xbox game system, or the TV tuner from any monitor in the rear of the vehicle.

The audio/visual experience created by the combination of Pioneer's high-end multimedia equipment and audio components in the Scion xB rivals any home theater system, and is sure to gain public attention in any venue.

SHOP PROFILE
Frank Sbrocca, owner of Traffic Jamz of Encino, CA, has firmly established a name for himself and his company in the mobile audio universe. For more than eight years Traffic Jamz has been constructing high-caliber audio systems for both exhibition and competition. Frank and his crew have designed and built numerous audio systems for vehicles displayed at the SEMA and CES shows, ranking him among the top 12 installers in the US last year. He explains that his shop specializes mostly in high-end installs that involve custom fabrication and the installation of multiple components. Manufacturers such as Eclipse, Nakamichi, Diamond Audio and most recently Pioneer have all turned to Traffic Jamz to build their demo vehicles.

The Pioneer Scion xB featured on these pages was completed by Frank and his crew in approximately three weeks and was then shipped off to the East Coast. The entire crew assisted in the installation, but the trick fabrication of the sub enclosure and amprack was performed by Frank himself. He admits that building the amprack was actually quite eas, but fabricating the suspended sub enclosure was a real challenge. The flawless construction and seamless finish work clearly show the attention to detail that Frank and his crew put into their work.

Look for Pioneer's Scion xB, or one of the many other demo vehicles created by Traffic Jamz, the next time you are at a car show or audio exhibition.

TECHBOX
Wheels: 17" Ray's Gram Lights
Tires: 205/40/17 Bridgestone
Suspension: Tanabe Lowering Springs, Strut Tower Brace
Performance: AEM Cold Air Intake
Cosmetic: Carbon-Fiber Window Accents, Rear Spoiler, Modern Image Custom Vinyl Graphics