Few could fathom voluntarily living out of our cars, but that’s exactly what one Los Angeles college student did.
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There might not be a turbocharged version of the Scion FR-S coming from the factory, but it looks like an FR-S convertible will make production.
Following a national roll-out of the iQ, Scion is now considering the micro sub-compact for use in car sharing programs.
The Toyota GT 86 generates enough buzz by itself, but it’s hard to resist looking at pictures of a race-modified version like the one in our gallery below.
AutoGuide recently got back behind the wheel of the Scion FR-S. Having tested the car first on track in Japan, we then had the opportunity to drive it on public roads here in America with a proper road test that looks at more than just how good it handles.
There remains to be no official word on a higher-horsepower version of the Scion FR-S, however, those looking for some added cornering performance and style are in luck.
At a recent drive event in Las Vegas (read our Scion FR-S Road Test here) Scion announced a long list of TRD goodies that will be made available for the FR-S, and even has a prototype car on display to show them off. Included in the list of goodies are larger front brakes, performance brake pads, larger sway bars, new springs and shocks, big 18-inch wheels, a TRD exhaust and thicker sway bars.
Also set to be offered as a dealer-installed accessory is the Five Axis aero kit. Five Axis, it should be pointed out, is the same company that designed the original FR-S concept.
Of note, the photos shown here feature a suspension drop much more severe than the TRD springs will deliver and the wheels shown are custom 19s, not the 18-inchers TRD will offer.
See more photos below and watch a short video of the FR-S complete with TRD exhaust sounds.
Given that that the boxy xB is living on borrowed time and will not be continued with a next generation model, some wags now believe Scion could be heading toward a more mainstream future.
With its first true sports car heading to dealerships in June, Scion is looking to beef up its motorsports presence admits brand boss Jack Hollis.
Speaking at a press launch for the new rear-wheel drive FR-S in Las Vegas, Hollis commented Scion’s continued presence in Formula Drift and how the FR-S is making the brand more “authentic.”
“Let’s be honest,” said Hollis to the gatherer journalists, “with the TC we’ve done more than we authentically should have” referring of course to its transformation into a rear-drive NASCAR V8 powered drift machine. Scion now campaigns the FR-S in drifting, Greddy-built FR-S driven by Ken Gushi.
As much as the drifting scene suits the Scion brand’s sport compact origins, many motorsports enthusiasts consider it to be less of a form of motorsports and more of a spectacle. With the FR-S having all the makings of a budget road racer, when pressed, Hollis elaborated on the future of Scion in motorsports.
“Drifting is something we’ve been enjoying,” he said, and commented that Scion will take the next step into traditional competitive motorsports thanks to the FR-S. “We’re expanding our lineup and you should expect that we will expand our racing teams’ influence and participation.”
Aspiring Canadian racers have something to look forward to this summer as Scion announces its plan to sponsor motorsports drivers for the second year in a row.
If you’ve been holding your breath for a Scion FR-S turbo announcement, it’s best to exhale now. The Japanese automaker has confirmed that the FR-S won’t see a turbocharged variant from the factory, at least for the time being.
This really isn’t a huge surprise, but we all kept our fingers crossed hoping that Scion would eventually come out with a turbocharged model to pump even more performance into an already great sports car. Currently the FR-S is powered by a 2.0-liter with 200 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, and with a price tag of $24,930 with a manual transmission, it’s a great bang for the buck.
When Scion was originally launched in 2003, the automaker intended for its models to follow a “one and done” mantra, which meant each model would be canceled after a single life cycle.
But that wasn’t the case due to the popularity of some of its models – namely the xB and tC. After a strong run, Scion has now announced the xB will be joining the xA in Scion’s automotive graveyard. Also gone is the universally unloved xD. The Japanese automaker announced that the xB and xD will not see another generation, making way for new models under the Scion name.
Jack Hollis, Vice President of Scion told Ward’s Auto, “We don’t have plans for a direct xB or xD replacement,” which means we might never see a box-shaped Scion ever again. Scion didn’t mention when we might see the new models, but we’re confident the FR-S will keep the Scion name exciting for at least a couple of years.
[Source: Ward's Auto]
Built with loads of carbon fiber, low-profile performance tires and tight gearing ratios, Lamborghini‘s newest transportation costs €20,000 or roughly $26,300, which is close to the soon-to-be-released Scion FR-S.
While you’re not likely to put much track time in unless you live near a velodrome, the newest offering bares the Lambo badge on its front and has a sleek exterior ready for speed.
It’s billed as an affordable sports car and at $24,200 it is. Unfortunately, if your bank account balance is more like $10 then the Toyota GT 86 (Scion FR-S on our shores) is still out of reach.
But imagine we told you you could build your very own Scion FR-S… for free! Sound too good to be true? Sadly, it is.
Rather than metal and rubber, Toyota racing partner Gazoo Racing has released a paper version of the GT 86, that you can build yourself with some scissors, glue and maybe a Japanese-to-English dictionary (considering the instructions are all in Japanese).
Head over to the official Toyota UK blog to download the templates and maybe even win a prize.
The Scion FR-S will be heading to U.S. dealerships soon but before consumers even get a chance to drive their cars, a multitude of tuner packages are already prepped for sale.
For example, Japanese tuner TRD already released a full tuning package for the Toyota GT 86 and now American tuners are releasing their goods.
Earlier this year, Scion invited North American tuners to its headquarters to take measurements in order to develop new parts for the sporty coupe. FIVE:AD has been involved with modifying Scions since the automaker arrived on American shores, so it’s no surprise that the company is one of the first in to release an aero kit for the upcoming FR-S.
The four-piece aero kit is based off of the Scion FR-S Concept built by Five Axis and is constructed out of OEM-grade urethane for a perfect fit and finish. Those interested can do so through their dealership to get a new front lip, side skirts, and a rear valence. An optional rear spoiler is available and the dealership can also pre-paint it any factory color for an exact match.
Custom builders have been able to create some unique and exciting cars from Toyota’s dull model lineup in the past, so it only stands to reason that amazing things are happening as tuners tinker with the new Scion FR-S.
We’ve already seen an in-house performance build from TRD as well as a specially prepared 600-hp FR-S drift car, but tuner Cartel Customs, a California-based company, created the FR-S Speedster you see above.
Starting the FR-S transformation first by lopping off the top, Cartel left a lower windshield in place, installed sloped side windows and a double-bubble deck lid for classic speedster looks. Cartel repainted the car without a body kit to keep the FR-S from having body lines that were overly fussy.
Inside, they treated the car with a redesigned, vintage sports car inspired custom interior, featuring center stack gauge clusters, a bare-bones racer steering wheel and loads of stitched leather everywhere you can imagine — oh and the sound system is gone too.
In addition to a dramatic internal surgery, Cartel also made a few mechanical changes starting with an upgraded clutch, exhaust, and suspension. New brakes, wheels and a carbon fiber rear wing also went into the package.
Look for the Cartel Speedster FR-S make its official debut at the 2012 Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix.
GALLERY: Cartel Speedster FR-S
It’s not often that a game changing sports car comes out onto the market. The Toyota GT 86 / Scion FR-S is exactly that, and it’s clear that tuners and aftermarket product manufacturers are just as excited for the platform as automotive enthusiasts are.
There’s little to no doubt in our minds that the Scion FR-S will be a huge hit – you can read our review here – and the aftermarket will only make the vehicle better. Tuners in Japan have already been hard at work since they got their hands on the GT 86 earlier than America. But the Scion Racing / GReddy drift Scion FR-S driven by Ken Gushi (pictured above) looks ready to rock into action at the Long Beach season opener.
The Toyota GT 86 will be making its way to America soon as the Scion FR-S, and the Japanese automaker wanted to remind the general public that not only was the vehicle built with passion, but they would like us to drive with passion.
The clip is made to get our blood flowing in anticipation to the release of the FR-S, which will be one of the most affordable sports cars of this decade – you can read our review here. Out to prove that the GT 86 can do it all, on and off the track, Toyota has done an excellent job marketing its newest machine and we can’t wait until they’re on the street.
Watch Full Throttle – Drive with Passion below:
The official Canadian pricing for the Scion FR-S is out, and the new sports car from Toyota will start at a base MSRP of $25,990. When the car is equipped with the six-speed automatic transmission complete with paddle shifters the base MSRP will be $27,110.
Keep in mind these prices are before delivery charges and taxes, so you can expect the final price at the dealership to be more than the MSRP. Before taxes but after the freight charges have been added in, the FR-S base price for the manual version should cost $27,485.
The FR-S will slot in just under the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, arguably its largest competitor, costing $509 less in Canada and and $50 less here in America.
In the States, the FR-S will sell for $24,200.
With original announcements from the company saying that the FR-S would be under 30k, Toyota has delivered on its promise and will market the car very competitively.
Read AutoGuide’s Scion FR-S review here.
We fell in love with the Toyota GT 86 when we first drove it, so how could it get any better? Well, try more than doubling the car’s factory displacement by swapping out the Subaru-sourced 2.0-liter boxer 4-cylinder for a 5.0-liter V8.
Donated from a Lexus IS-F, this custom machine is the ride of choice for Japanese drift and road racer Max Orido, who will compete in the D1 drift series this year.
Watch the video below and we sure to check out our Scion FR-S First Drive here:
The popular Xbox racing simulator Forza Motorsport 4 has had monthly add-ons ever since it came out in October 2011. For April though they’ve released another car-pack featuring 10 very different and very interesting cars to play with.
The Aplinestars Pack features a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, fully decked out in racing livery. Gamers should be happy to note that 9 other interesting vehicles are included in the pack. For 560 Microsoft Points (about $7) you’ll get access to the 2011 Mercedes-Benz #35 Black Falcon SLS AMG GT3, 2011 Aston Martin #009 Aston Martin Racing AMR One, 2012 Jaguar XKR-S, 1995 BMW M5, 2011 Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S, 1985 Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE, 1972 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3, 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible, 2012 Scion tC and 1997 Volvo 850 R.
Turn10 studio, the company behind Forza Motorsport 4 has provided a cool trailer for the upcoming add-on, which will be available April 3. Check it out below.
The Scion FR-S has been on every car-enthusiasts mind for quite a while now. Today we find a video that will certainly help pass the time before the release. A Toyota GT86 (known to us as the Scion FR-S) Testing with full Toyota Racing Development (TRD) trim.
In this video you can spot a few upgrades to the stock GT86. TRD brakes, rims and a great sounding exhaust tone. Other TRD parts like front spoiler and upgraded headlights round out the TRD look.
Watch the whole video below.
In what is an obvious shot at its closest rival, Scion has announced pricing for it’s new rear-drive sports car, starting at $50 less than the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe.
The spiritual successor to the Toyota AE86, the rear-wheel drive Scion FR-S will start at just $24,200 for the six-speed manual transmission model. Those who prefer not to shift gears themselves can opt for the six-speed automatic for $1,100 more, or a total of $25,300.
Standard on all FR-S models will be a 200 hp 2.0-liter direct-injection 4-cylinder with a limited slip differential. With an ultra-low center of gravity, the FR-S also delivers a 53/47 weight balance.
Other standard equipment includes 17-inch wheels with 215/45/17 tires, a dual-exhaust system, LED taillights, a tilt and telescopic leather steering wheel, FR-S branded floor mats, a 300-watt eight-speaker AM/FM/CD/USB Pioneer audio system and Bluetooth. Seven colors will be available: Raven, Asphalt, Hot Lava, Argento, Ultramarine, Firestorm and Whiteout.
Available at dealers this June, the FR-S pricing excludes an additional $730 destination fee.
For more Scion FR-S news and info, visit FR-Sforum.com
GALLERY: 2013 Scion FR-S
For more on the FR-S, read AutoGuide’s complete First Drive Review Here