Scion has revealed the first photos of its LA Auto Show-bound iM Concept, and unsurprisingly, it confirms our assessment from the initial teaser that it's a Toyota Auris for North America.

The best way to describe the differences between the European market Auris compact hatch and the conceptual iM is that it looks like someone took the Toyota model and gave it a SEMA Show-worthy tuning makeover with wider and more sculpted fenders, 19" wheels, lowered suspension, smaller mirrors and new sporty bumpers.

Scion itself says the iM is a "five-door compact hatchback with sporty looks inspired by those seen on the European touring car racing circuit". That description works too.

The iM is a production-intent model that will indirectly replace the ageing xB in Scion's lineup, possibly making its debut as early as next year at the New York Auto Show.

Scion did not release any information about the iM's powertrain, but it could get the Toyota Corolla's 132hp 1.8-liter four in the U.S.

Yes, the Scion iM concept is basically a Toyota Auris in drag, and bolting some flashy bits to it makes it kind of hard to justify calling it a concept. However, it previews a (distinctly sporty) production model that is set to arrive in dealerships in the spring of 2015, with a price tag under $20,000 – a sort of hot hatch, perhaps?

The ingredients are there: the Auris is not a bad handling car to begin with, nor does it look bad and with independent rear suspension, I`m sure engineers can turn it into something worth winding up on a windy road. Besides, the concept looks much sportier than the regular Auris does, with a wide body kit and massive 19-inch rims.

In concept form, it comes with four-piston calipers on all corners and height-adjustable racing suspension. Neither have a high likelihood of reaching production, but they do hint at Scion wanting to make this a properly driving fun-oriented machine.

No word on engines yet, though, as that would definitely tell us where they’re aiming to position the iM.

In Europe, the Auris can be had with a moderate array petrol and diesel power plants. The most potent gas engine in its roster is Toyota’s tried and true 1.8-liter with 134 hp – slot a turbo unit under its bonnet, and that will really get 18 – 34 year olds drooling…

Following the niche-oriented iQ and FR-S, Scion is preparing its first new model with mass-market appeal in quite some time with the iM. Just unveiled at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show in concept form, our spies recently shot some photos of a slightly camouflaged production iM doing some testing in Southern California.

Judging by these spy shots, the production iM is taking many more styling cues from the European-market Toyota Auris that it's based on, than the much more aggressive concept on display in LA. The body kit with a low front bumper, flared fenders, side skirts and rear spoiler are all gone in favor of a much more mainstream design (we aren't surprised). The model's name comes from the first letters of 'individuality' and 'modern,' according to Scion, but if these shots are any indication, it looks like it'll pretty easily just blend into the crowd.

Scion didn't reveal anything about that the US-market powertrain for the production version in LA but promised the details would be released sometime in 2015. The company did hint at a starting price under $20,000, though. It's too early to make any real styling judgments about the iM before the final version is ready, but until then see what you think of these spy shots of the upcoming hatchback.

NYIAS programmed in April

Scion has disclosed plans to reveal its first ever sedan along with the iM hatchback at the 2015 New York International Auto Show.

At the beginning of December we heard Toyota North America CEO Jim Lentz saying they want to turn Scion into an entry-level premium brand while Scion Vice President Doug Murtha said three new models are in the works. The identity of two of them has been revealed today as Scion says their first ever sedan along with the production version of the iM concept will debut in New York in April.

These two cars along with the third unreleased model are targeting "independently minded" 18-34 year old customers. While the iM hatchback is basically a sportier North American version of the Euro-spec Touota Auris, details about the sedan are not available at this point. However, a report issued by Auto Guide back in June last year indicated the model in question would ride on the same platform as the Mazda2 Sedan but nothing is official at this moment.

We will know for sure on April 1st during the first press day of this year's NYIAS.

Red nose costs £5

Toyota has revealed its "RND concept", an Auris hatchback equipped for charity purposes with a red nose.

The company's UK division has established a charity program for this year's Red Nose Day (Friday, March 13) and they pledge to raise no less than £1 million to support Comic Relief's grants across the United Kingdom and Africa. Everyone can join the cause by purchasing a red nose for cars regardless of make and model.

The red nose costs a mere £5 and can be acquired from Toyota's UK dealerships as well as from the company's UK official eBay store at stores.ebay.co.uk/ToyotaOfficialStore or by clicking on the source link below. The eBay listing mentions the red nose can also be attached to a garage or house door and can also be used as an "emergency button – only to be pressed if family discussions get too heated."