#2013ScionFr-s

“The car just comes alive with a nice set of tires.” Those are the words of Toyota VP Bob Carter, which were ringing in my ear after a chat I had with him at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

This week’s installment of TGIF[R-S] isn’t about me, or my car, but about how the 2013 AutoGuide.com Car of the Year came to be, thanks to a post I stumbled across on the Toyota UK blog.

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) has announced four new inductees to the Top Safety pick list: the Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S, Ford Escape and Acura ILX.

From in-car technology to turbocharging, there is perhaps no other trend that’s fundamentally changing new cars more than the move to dramatically reduce the weight of modern vehicles.

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.

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.”

While Subaru is targeting 5,000 units for its new BRZ sports car, Scion believes its version of the joint Toyota-Subaru project will more than double that forecast.

With all the media coverage that’s surrounded the Scion FR-S, it’s hard to say anything new about it, yet the bang-for-your-buck sports coupe refuses to leave headlines well enough alone. 

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.

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.

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.

When it hits Scion dealers in June, the 2013 FR-S will be priced from $24,200 according to a leaked dealer document. That puts it just $50 under the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

It’s still unofficial, but a source inside Scion’s Canada division has let slip to AutoGuide that when the FR-S goes on sale later this year it will start at $27,500.

If you followed our coverage of the North American International Auto Show, or you just keep up with car news, you’ve probably heard of the Scion FR-S.