Scion’s 1st-gen tC “Release Series” cars were factory-built, limited-production bundles that basically did two things:
- Locked in an exclusive color
- Pre-packaged a specific style/performance/audio theme
- Individually numbered badge/plaque
Quick RS cheat sheet (paint code + quantity)
These special colors and production limits summarized here:
- 2005 tC RS 1.0: Absolutely Red (3P0) — 2,500 units
- 2006 tC RS 2.0: Blue Blitz Mica (8Q1) — 2,600 units
- 2007 tC RS 3.0: Blizzard Pearl (070) — 2,500 units
- 2008 tC RS 4.0: Galactic Gray Mica (1E9) — 2,300 units
- 2009 tC RS 5.0: Gloss Black (202) — 2,000 units
- 2010 tC RS 6.0: Speedway Blue (8P1) — 1,100 units
2005 tC Release Series 1.0 (RS 1.0)
Theme: Red everywhere — sporty appearance + under-hood detail flex
Exclusive color: Absolutely Red (3P0)
Production: 2,500 units
What makes RS 1.0 different
- 18″ Enkei wheels (dark graphite finish) with P225/40ZR18 tires
- Unique upper/lower grilles on the front fascia
- Under-hood “RS red” accents: battery tie-down, billet oil filler cap, front strut tie bar
RS 1.0 vibe: the most “simple and clean” of the early RS cars—mostly visual + the cool under-hood bits.
2006 tC Release Series 2.0 (RS 2.0)
Theme: audio + premium-seat material + upscale mesh-grille look
Exclusive color: Blue Blitz Mica (8Q1)
Production: 2,600 units
Exterior / trim identifiers
- Stainless-steel mesh upper and lower grille
- 17″ alloy wheels with a satin metallic finish
Interior / seating
-
Seats trimmed in Alcantara (black faux-suede)
Factory audio “bundle” highlights
- Pioneer 6-inch subwoofer mounted in trunk hatch storage area
- XM Satellite Radio with a paid trial subscription
- Individually numbered brushed stainless steel badge
RS 2.0 vibe: arguably the most “OEM premium” feeling of the early cars—mesh grille + Alcantara + stealth sub.
2007 tC Release Series 3.0 (RS 3.0)
Theme: full “show car” look — body kit + lighting + audio
Exclusive color: Blizzard Pearl (070)
Production: 2,500 units
Exterior / lighting package (the big RS 3.0 tell)
- KenStyle body kit (front & rear ground effects)
- Darkened/tinted headlights
- Wide intake-style RS upper grille (honeycomb insert)
- Clear LED taillights (Scion accessory style)
Interior / audio
- Two-tone Alcantara-trimmed seats
- A 160-watt Pioneer sound system with subwoofer is repeatedly mentioned in RS 3.0 coverage
RS 3.0 vibe: the “factory tuner kit” tC—most visually distinct of the bunch because of the aero + lighting combo.
2008 tC Release Series 4.0 (RS 4.0)
Theme: “VIP” / boutique style — premium textures + designer aero
Exclusive color: Galactic Gray Mica (1E9)
Production: 2,300 units
Exterior
- “VIP-themed enhancements,” including a custom-look grille and a body kit designed by DAMD
- Optional color-keyed rear spoiler noted in period coverage
Interior upgrades
- Alcantara seating surfaces with commemorative embroidery
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Dark-wood RAZO shift knob
RS 4.0 vibe: the most “grown up” RS—less about loud graphics, more about materials and that VIP/aero look.
2009 tC Release Series 5.0 (RS 5.0)
Theme: TRD performance bundle + black/red accents
Exclusive color: Gloss Black (202)
Production: 2,000 units
Performance / chassis (this is the “go handle better” RS)
- TRD 18″ wheels (matte black) with red trim/stripe
- TRD lowering springs
- TRD rear sway bar
- TRD sport muffler
Interior / trim
- Black leather steering wheel with red stitching, plus black seats with red accents
RS 5.0 vibe: the best “factory + TRD” combo for someone who wants bolt-on handling changes without building the whole car.
2010 tC Release Series 6.0 (RS 6.0)
Theme: stripes + Alpine nav/audio + blue interior accents
Exclusive color: Speedway Blue (8P1)
Production: 1,100 units
Exterior
-
Speedway Blue paint plus flat-black side stripes with RS 6.0 branding
Interior / audio & tech
- Blue inserts on black seats + blue stitching on steering wheel
- Alpine 200-watt audio + navigation system with a 4.3-inch touchscreen, plus HD Radio readiness and connectivity (USB/RCA)
- Stainless steel dash badge showing the build number
RS 6.0 vibe: the “OEM tech” special—most modern-feeling infotainment package of the 1st-gen RS run.
The big-picture – how to tell them apart fast
If you’re trying to ID an RS in the wild (or shopping listings), here’s the easiest way:
- RS 1.0 (2005): Red paint + Enkei 18s + red under-hood accents
- RS 2.0 (2006): Blue Blitz + stainless mesh grilles + Alcantara seats + under-floor sub + numbered badge
- RS 3.0 (2007): Blizzard Pearl + KenStyle kit + tinted headlights + clear LED tails
- RS 4.0 (2008): Galactic Gray + DAMD kit + Alcantara + embroidered logos + “VIP” interior cues
- RS 5.0 (2009): Gloss Black + TRD springs/sway/muffler + black/red interior + numbered plaque
- RS 6.0 (2010): Speedway Blue + black stripes + Alpine nav/audio + blue interior accents + numbered dash badge
