Question:

Instead of improving the specs of the car like power, etc, will you be making the interior much better to make the car perfect?

Tada-san, first I want to join the voices of all the other members of this club in thanking you for bringing joy to the enthusiast driver! As an engineer, I have to ask: what was the most interesting technical challenge in developing the FT-86?

You've obviously never been to Cleveland. I need to record my commute into work every day. LA roads (warm climate, never snow, NO SALT) are a dream by comparison, I am sure.

Just trying to help here, but:

dictionary.com:

I'm going to guess you meant "thanks," or some sort of synonym for thanks.

I like the idea of "Aha!" moments

While this car is only 6 months old, some of the questions pertaining to what his perfect version may be, may not even include performance addons or anything of that sort that could impact the impression of this car. We aren't asking "what is coming from the factory next year?" We certainly aren't trying to have him point out things toyota removed due to costs, or anything like that.

We all have things we would like for this car to have, these questions are merely attempting to pick the brain of the man who has had the most to do with this car. Trying to get closer to someone who has just as much love, if not more for these cars.

I think he understands that we come to him from this perspective and not to mine for information and no doubt would appreciate them just as much as a fun, high level engineering question such as what he had the most fun adjusting or testing and changing through the development process and his reasons for doing so. Could be anything from choice on the suspension design, to whatever. Though I remember the development video covering some of the decisions for the suspension, so who knows.

We all have those stories from huge projects, that one thing that kicked our ass but we knew we were so close to it that we could taste it and when we finally nailed it, it was the best feeling in the world.

Here's my question, though it's probably not worthy or worth it, so either way you can add my thanks with the others.

If I find a way to send him my dash panel, will he sign it for me?

Just trying to point something out "i hate auto correct" :D plus it was late when i wrote that lol...

That one, he told me about it on April, it was pretty interesting. Not sure he can say it officially though. Hope he can answer in "clean" ver :D

So you tell us! Dont hold out! Or are you keeper of the Tada secrets? :fighting0040:

My Question: Can I get a job working in the design department? I would like to be the one white guy that is in all of these pictures of the team. :)

This is really a place holder. I will get my really good and legitimate question ready.

Gotta keep some of the info secret ;)

I'm pretty sure he's already talked about that in interviews. About how Subaru originally only wanted to make it AWD/turbo and how the project was on standby for a year and the various challenges with designing the engine, manual transmission, etc. But they became "Team 86" instead of just Subaru and Toyota working together.

Here's a fantastic article that Ichitaka posted a while back: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5274

Well looks like Tada-san has answer few of em back on Monday night

Reference: MotoP's FB

UPDATE!

I've email Scion rep and they have being kind enough that, they'll take a part of this Q&A! So this became "FT86Club.com Christmas Q&A Gift from Tada-san & Scion USA".

Rules/Guideline still follow, but keep it somewhat respectful. Don't forget, they don't really have to answer any of it. I'm not saying kiss asses, but show FT86Club members are mature and get us like by Scions!

Sadly, "Ask Scion USA" due date got to be shorter than Tada-san. Due date is December 9th (til I hit the bed)... only got 4 days left!!!!!

If you guys can be kind, if you can separate questions by putting "To Scion" or "To Tada-san" before asking questions?

Thanks!

L.E. Not for Scion, being an European issue :)

Hello,
If it's not too late, I would have a non-technical question.
First, I would like to congratulate Toyoda-san, Tada-san and everyone at Toyota and Subaru involved in making such a fine car (I only drove it briefly and not too hard, but... wow!).
Now, about my one gripe about this car: does Toyota plan any measure to lower the price in Europe (starting from 30000 euro), to more reasonable levels? I must say I'm not very optimistic about it, as it would probably require to manufacture/assemble it in E.U.

To Scion:

Why would you spend the money to make a growl tube that exagerates the engine sound in the cabin when you could probably have used that money to build a nice cover/arm rest for the storage compartment in the center console?

My sound tube went in the recycle bin and I had to spend over a hundred bucks to correct the unfinished look of the console.

:mad0260:

I think, that's nothing to do w Scion

I think we should still try asking, "What, if anything, can you reveal about the changes/plans for the next model year stock/base car? Or when will you be revealing that information." ;)

To Scion:

When can FR-S owners look forward to gaining access to Fog Light, exhaust, and center arm-rest upgrades?

To Scion:

As far as FRS competitors in the market, how do you perceive the BRZ premium and limited models? Does Scion want to offer similar features? -Subaru no longer offers only AWD models, will Scion no longer offer only monospec trim models?-

To Scion.

Subaru released TSB (12-140-12) for "Popping Sound from Trunk / Rear Shelf Area". Is Scion working on their version of TSB?

Yeah, you're right. It's parobably the biggest sore spot I have when it comes to the decisions that were made in developing this car.

To Both,

Is there any way we can know Tada San tour schedule. I really want to meet him and shake his hand - in person- is my honor to do that. I will drive 8 -10 hours just for that few minutes meet!

Thanks,

Oh, sweet! I've been meaning to e-mail them anyway. Once again, it's more of a suggestion but a very important one.

To Scion:

Pleeeeeeaaaase offer for model year 2014:

Standard features:
HID/LED headlamps! - manual leveling (looks much better, more brightness, lower energy, longer life)
Heated side mirrors (so we can use them when it's foggy/frosty)
Red stitched leather e-brake/boot (looks and feels so much better)
Trunk liner (looks cleaner, sounds quieter)

Optional features:
Fog lights! (should be coming?)
Integrated GPS navigation/phone/SiriusXM radio! (SD card slot, maintenance calendar, detailed fuel economy info like miles until empty and actual tire pressures would be nice!)
Backup camera
HomeLink mirror
Full underbody aerodynamic panels

Would be nice:
Red stitched leather/Alcantara seats (like BRZ Limited)
Red stitched leather knee pads

I believe this will make it easier to compete against the BRZ Premium, which comes with many more standard features for only marginally more costs, it will help satisfy the Americans who wanted the Toyota 86 styling and luxuries, and will increase the value of this car at around the $25000 price point. Thank you!

BTW, if you need help to test/design a good navigation unit, contact me. ;)
-------------------------------
Oh, and as a separate question:

"Will you be offering the Michelin Primacy HP tires again or are you sticking with the Bridgestone all seasons?"

Thanks Ichitaka! Nothing is cooler than a large company that actually listens and responds to its customers! :)

In regards to the perfect version of this car: keep in mind how long he has worked to perfect the car to his standards. He did mention that he would have liked the car to be lighter and the difference in how that would affect the power.

Awww :(k

+1 I would love to ask him him a few questions about the new Supra.

1. Is it going to look like the FT-HS concept? If so, could the design team rework the front end. (The front like the FT-86 or FT-86 II concept would look great on FT-HS).
2. Will the new flagship sports car even wear the Supra nameplate?
3. Is it going to underpin the new Lexus IS/RC-coupe?
4. Will there be two trim levels? Like base V6 model and a high performance model and will it share drivetrains with next gen IS-F (V6TT or NA V8)?
5. Any idea on what the price range will look like?
6. When will we see a new or updated concept?
7. When will it go on sale?

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog....naias---06.jpg

subscribed

Dear lord all of those suggestions are awful. They can't put that stuff in and retain the current price point, they aren't competing with Subaru, it's supposed to be a lower trim model. Add them on later if you want but all that junk is stuff I don't want on my car, obviously Toyota agrees.

Although I am curious about the Michelins vs. Bridgestones.

I may get flamed for this but here goes,

To Tada-san,

I know Valvematic is a great system, why not combine it with this car instead of AVCS? it's not as tuner friendly for sure, but it could increase power while dropping the torque dip completely due it its extreme variability. i know it's pretty simple and doesn't take up too much room and combined with Direct injection it could be a winner.

Sincerely Cole

Why? If the Subaru BRZ Premium can have HID/LED's, navigation, SiriusXM radio, red stitched leather e-brake, and a trunk liner for only $1200 more, then that means they should be able to include everything but the navigation and satellite radio while retaining the same price or only slightly increasing it. All the other things I mentioned, (fog lights, GPS navigation, XM radio, backup camera, HomeLink, aero panels) I am only asking to be offered as options to add on at the dealer for extra cost.

Besides, why would it matter to you? You already got your FR-S (apparently ideally as you wanted). You may not want or need any of those things but for me and many others, they are very important to have in a car.

Same here, but he would have to cross the pond and come to Romania :)
You people are fortunate: both cheap GT 86s and meeting Tada-san in person.

Actually, I was thinking about this too. I think this would have done wonders for power and efficiency. The only downside is that it would probably cost a lot more than normal since you'd need 2 units as opposed to just one for an inline 4, and it would possibly lower reliability. I kind of wonder also if it makes the throttle response a little less predictable...

But yes, I would like to hear if Valvematic was considered and if so why it was rejected. :thumbsup:

i think it would definitely add to the MSRP. but the reliability shouldn't be an issue its a very simple design, throttle response shouldn't be much different. my guess would be 230crank 170lb/ft (at 7400rpm redline) with valvematic, the ECU could be tuned (from the factory) to run as much timing as possible without knock. with 8500rpm who knows what kind of power it could make. :D

How about MPG? Tq curve, where hp makes?

In reality, do you feel that tq drop? When I drove it, I can't really tell

Anyways, this topic can go into Engine thread ;)

To Scion:

Are there any plans to offer a cheaper and lighter striped down version of the FR-S?

more than anything i just want to know if it was considered or not and why.

No I haven't gotten mine (and may never, we'll see what the next two weeks bring) but that's an issue for another discussion.

For a 25k car it sure is hard to find for less than 28k, I was going to ask Scion why I was unable to obtain the car as advertised ($24,955) but received the answer that "dealers feel it is within their rights to not take orders and add options as they please to increase profit margins" so I'll pass on asking them anything. This'll be my last post (barring a quality question that comes to mind) so I'll stop the clutter, I needed the rant. Feel free to PM me if you want more details or to know how I feel.

Thanks ichitaka for setting this up!

+1

I know you always said you couldn't feel it but on my two test drives, it was pretty obvious to me. And no, I totally wasn't thinking about it when it happened. I was just accelerating onto the highway at full throttle and was like, "Oh, it's not pushing as much anymore?" It's not terrible but to have a linear/progressive pushing feeling all thru the rev-range would make this engine perfect IMO.

Yes, I wholeheartedly disagree on dealers adding/forcing options on you. Especially on a Scion. Fortunately, the dealers around here are selling them at MSRP and are not adding options for the most part. So I think it's just a matter of you finding a reputable dealer who can get you what you want. Or try the Subaru if you are willing to spend another grand and don't mind the styling/handling differences. There are even ways to get discounts on Subarus vs Scions so you might be able to get it down to the price of the FR-S eventually.

Scion agrees. Toyota does not agree, they have all that 'junk' on their cars, but you dont have toyotas in the states.

Keyless, p2s, HID, modern climate control, and a nicer interior are junk now a days huh... lemme guess, because racecar?