Funky urban youth brand Scion has never made the boat ride to Oz, but we are getting a new Toyota model branded for the young urban assaulters, and the local arm of the Japanese giant says the car is “a bit like Vegemite: it’s an acquired taste.”

Indeed.

The Rukus is due here mid-year, and a little info and an abstract image have been previewed to the public.

Fitting the uber-cool ‘urban utility vehicle’ tag, the Rukus is a boxy compact crossover intended to lure new young people into the Toyota brand.

Similar to Scion, the Rukus will have a long list of options and extras such as different paint schemes and a wide selection of full-sic rims.

In light of recent events, it looks like Toyota’s image overhaul has now kicked up a notch or two.