Rounding out the Toyobaru trio of GT86 variants is the new Scion FR-S. Like the Subaru BRZ shown yesterday, the Scion has subtle differences to set it apart from the GT86 and BRZ. The headlamps appear to be toned down a bit and the front fascia is a little cleaner than the others. Also gone is the gaudy fender vents that are found on the Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ versions. Scion has said that the first number in the price of the car will start with a 2. We’re going to guess somewhere in the $24,000 range but we will find out for sure soon.
We’ve got the full press release and photo gallery after the jump. We’ve thrown the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GT86 galleries in there as well so you can compare all three. Let us know which one is your favorite!
Scion FR-S
Subaru BRZ
Toyota GT86
Press Release:
2013 Scion FR-S Brings the SPORT Back to the CAR
- Low center of gravity and lightweight design achieves a “Pure Balance”
- Compact rear-wheel drive sports car makes world debut
- World’s first boxer engine to utilize Toyota’s D4-S direct and port injection system
Los Angeles – November 30, 2011 – Scion tonight unveiled its 2013 FR-S compact rear-wheel drive sports car to a crowd of eager car enthusiasts. The high-performance coupe is the fifth model to join the Scion family and will go on sale in the spring of 2012.
The FR-S, which stands for Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport; is Scion’s definition of an authentic rear-wheel-drive sports car with exceptionally balanced performance and handling, compelling style, flexible utility and surprising MPG.
“Serving as a laboratory for Toyota, Scion is always experimenting with new things,” said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. “The brand is iconic with the xB, adrenalized by the tC, and groundbreaking with the iQ. The FR-S will no doubt serve as the halo car, expanding Scion into a new dimension of driving performance.”
The FR-S is a true “scion,” born into a lengthy history of Toyota performance cars and motorsports. The sports car is most inspired by the AE86 generation of the Corolla, better known as the Hachi-Roku, meaning “8-6″ in Japanese. The front-engine, rear-wheel-drive coupe was lightweight and well balanced, making it a solid choice for driving enthusiasts.
Inspired by the AE86, the FR-S is designed around the core goal of achieving, “Pure Balance.” The balance begins with the strategic use of the world’s only flat boxer engine in a front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration. The engine’s compact size and flat shape allow it to be mounted mid-ship and extremely low, giving the car a dynamically favorable front-to-rear weight ratio of 53:47 and a low center of gravity comparable to some exotic supercars.
The FR-S’s 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine is the result of a joint development between Toyota and Subaru. The partnership begins by combining Subaru’s newly developed horizontally opposed engine and Toyota’s cutting edge D-4S injection system that incorporates both direct and port injection. The D-4S system, partnered with a high 12.5:1 compression ratio, results in an impressive 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque.
“We all know that it’s not hard to make horsepower and torque, but it is hard to do all that and still achieve impressive fuel economy,” Hollis said. “The FR-S accomplishes all three.”
The flat-four mates with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The manual offers quick, precise shifts with a short-throw; while the automatic transmission features aggressive up shifts and sporty rev-matched down shifts that are initiated by steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Power is transferred to the pavement via a limited-slip differential.
The idea of “Pure Balance” is further realized by the FR-S’s lightweight design and compact size. The combination allows the car to be quick and nimble into and out of corners, with dynamic maneuverability and confident handling. The coupe’s weight is kept to a minimum by utilizing an aluminum hood, a solid roof, and by featuring a trunk design instead of a hatchback.
The FR-S’s low weight is matched with a dynamically tuned suspension setup consisting of MacPherson struts up front and a double wishbone system in the rear. Lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels and ventilated disc brakes are on all four corners.
The fierce exterior of the FR-S is a solid reflection of its inner power. The profile, inspired by the Toyota 2000GT, reveals a hood and roof-line that is remarkably sleek and low, giving it an aerodynamic shape that channels air cleanly over to the top. The low stance continues to exaggerate the coupe’s menacing face, which is made up of sharp lines, a wide mouth and angular headlights. The aggressive front fenders protrude upward and boast the iconic ’86′ piston emblem, which highlights the car’s AE86 heritage as well as its unique new boxer engine. The rear fascia sits low and wide, with aerodynamic lower treatments that surround the sporty dual exhaust system. LEDs illuminate the edgy taillights, while center-mounted backup lights finish the muscular design.
The FR-S’s interior features a 2+2 seating configuration that is designed with both form and function in mind. The front seats are mounted extremely low and are comfortable yet assertive, while the rear seat folds down flat, creating flexible space. The large center-mounted tachometer is the focus of the three-gauge cluster, keeping the driver informed of the engine’s vitals. Speed is monitored by both digital and analog gauges.
Scion FR-S Preliminary Specifications
Length: 166.7 in.
Width: 69.9 in.
Height: 51.2 in. (not including antenna base)
Wheelbase: 101.2 in.
Track
- Front: 59.8 in.
- Rear: 60.6 in.
Seating capacity: 4
Engine
Total displacement: 1,998 cc
Type: Horizontally opposed four-cylinder, D-4S injection, DOHC
Bore × stroke: 86 × 86 mm.
Maximum output: 200hp @ 7,000 rpm
Maximum torque: 151 lb.-ft. @ 6,600 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters
Driveline: Rear-wheel drive
Suspension
- Front: MacPherson struts
- Rear: Double wishbone
Brakes
- Front: Ventilated Disc
- Rear: Ventilated Disc
Tires
- Front: 215/45R17
- Rear: 215/45R17
Fuel tank: 13.2 gallons
Fuel: Premium Unleaded
“We all know that it’s not hard to make horsepower and torque, but it is hard to do all that and still achieve impressive fuel economy,” Hollis said. “The FR-S accomplishes all three.”
This is something that I have been wondering about. Boxer motors are not known for being misers of fuel economy, so it will be interesting to see what kind of mileage these cars get.
As for price, I have read from $22K-$28k. I see real value between 22-24, but beyond that, there are better car values for the enthusiast.
Given the pricing of the rest of Scion's lineup, and how decontented the FR-S is compared to the $24k – 27k BRZ (my personal favorite – the front fasica is much cleaner and I like the interior treatment better, but as someone who'd be trying to make a competitive autocrosser out of one of these I wonder about the weight penalty it carries versus the FR-S), I'd be shocked if it started much over $20 – 21k. Doubtless you'll be able to option the crap out of the Scion version at considerable cost, so it's hard to tell where the price ceiling would be.
We were discussing this on Twitter the other day. Scion has to nail the sub 24k price point to keep the brand image up. Considering the tC starts in the mid-19k range, a starting price for the FR-S in the high 23s to low 24s makes sense. I think we’d be asking a lot to see it priced at $20k – $21k. The FR-S can get away with the same or slightly higher pricetag than the starter BRZ because it has a the “hip” factor working for it. Scion will throw some flair in the mix and sell it a bit more upscale than the Subaru. The 24k price point is crucial though since that’s deep in the heart of V6 Mustang and Genesis territory.