Ask Chief Engineer Tada-san and Scion USA a question.
 

Yes, you read it correctly. I've beg Tada-san, all the owners here who haven't had a chance to ask questions last night (like me), you have chance! Tada-san is kind enough to do this Q&A for members here (& yes, I got the approval to do this from Tada-san already).

So here's how it works. Just post a way what questions you want to ask Tada-san & I'll translate that into Japanese and send em to Tada-san and he'll reply near Christmas, so I'll be translating it & posting it. I call it Christmas Q&A Gift from Tada-san! :thumbup:

BUT there gonna be several rules/guidelines.

• Deadline is FINISHED (So I have time to translate & email to Tada-san).
• DON'T BOTHER ASKING ABOUT TURBO! He really don't like that question (Even you did ask, I won't even bother putting it on).
• I'm expecting a lot of questions gonna be asked & I'll be translating all of em, BUT I ask Tada-san answer 5 or so questions (due to his busy schedule), so THINK REALLY HARD what question is worth asking.

Any questions for me? If not, let the questions begin.

EDIT: Forgot to put it, but let's keep it on On-topic of FR-S/BRZ topics instead of future Supra/MR2 etc... even tho VERY tempting to ask him about it. ;)

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! Due date for Scion USA is FINISHED! Now only taking question to Tada-san.

Thanks!

THANK YOU

What would he do to setup the car for road racing/autocrossing ? What parts, what alignment spec, etc

I have two that you could consider.

Could he give any more in depth explanation and clarification when it comes to the car's weight distribution? Is the 53/47 quoted on here really with two passengers (as some here have said) or is that the natural state of the car? Also, we've been told that it was done to make the steering feel better. But Porsche 911's have what some feel is the best steering in the industry and they clearly don't have anywhere near 57% of their weight over the front wheels. How does that extra mass up front help feel?

Second question. The stock tire size of 215/45-17 is a bit of an odd duck. Using 225/45-17 would have made tire choice and matching diameters with wider wheels and different diameter tires somewhat easier as 225 is one of the most common section widths used in sports sedans and other performance vehicles. What drove that decision?

EDIT-Previous poster's question about alignment would be interesting to hear. :)

I have one:

Why is the stock camber set to 0 degrees in the front and -1.5 degrees in the rear?

Seems more logical to provide somewhere around -0.75F and -0.75R for a sports car.

Instead of a question, just pass on to him that I, and I'm sure this applies to most of us, really appreciate what he has done. As far as I'm concerned what he and his fellow team members have accomplished is comparable to someone having a batting average of 1,000 at the end of the baseball season.
:burnrubber:

This is already answered, thanks to GTChannel ;)

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHVhaTNRk8E"]2013 Scion FR-S/Toyota 86 Chief Engineer Tetsuya Tada Interview - YouTube[/ame]

Totally agree on that one

I remember Jack Hollis mentioned the average Scion owner spends $5000 on aftermarket parts. I would like to know what Tada-san would do with a $5000 budget.

Yes I think this is a great question.

Tada-San,

With your skillset, are you collaborating on new Toyota Sportscars such as the rumored next gen Supra and MR2 or are we likely to see further depth from the 86/ FR-S lineup?

I didn't want to bombard him with questions last night either. It just seems like he was out and about enjoying meeting the owners and looking at all the modified 86s.

Thanks for doing this!

Here's a few from me.
* Is there a gyro sensor in the 6AT?
---The shifting algorithm in both street and sport mode on that thing is amazing. It downshifts and upshifts better than me most of the time during fast driving conditions.

* When more power, stickier tires, and better brakes are added, what ends up being the weakest link in regards to chassis stiffness?

* From this point forward will the Toyota team and Subaru team independently develop and improve their own platforms?
---You can already see some of this with the TRD vs. STi team and they're very different approaches to going faster.

We know what this car was built for but many respected reviewers pointed out that the car would have been perfect with an extra 20-30 horsepower. Was 200 HP something they were set on from the beginning stages? Were they aspiring for more power but restricted by anything? And after production if there was anything HE would change what would it be?

Thanks!

"Can I have a free frs?"

What (if any) plans are there to keep the car "fresh" in the near (<5 years) future? Amenities, styling changes, more options etc.

Is there any feature you had to concede due to other constraints that you wish you could have implemented? Or to rephrase: if you had complete control over this project what would you have done different?

I'll try to think of a question, but I do want to say thanks for putting this together Ichi.

If there's one thing Tada-san feels he could have made even better to make the car closer to his ideal image, I wonder what it would have been.

I'll answer for behalf of Tada-san & Scion. "No, go buy one" :bellyroll:

The car is currently a big success, congratulations; but if you could do it all again, would you include Subaru? Why or why not?

Thanks Ichi,

My question is that will there be a possibility of a Hatch or a Sedan version, and Also if their is how will the execution be with the engineers, will they be able to keep a good balance and the weight down, while giving maximum space usage? Also we keep hearing about a convertible, if there is a convertible how will the soft top or hard top option effect the balance of the current car?

Does Toyota have plans to help/encourage the development of a spec racing series, similar to Spec Miata?

I basically want to know if Spec 86 will be the next Spec Miata, with huge fields of cars training a new generation of drivers. Toyota could help foster this by supporting racers with a discount on common replacement parts and building relationships with aftermarket parts manufacturers and racing organizations.

Yeah +1

I love this car thank you!

How often does Subaru/Toyota plan on releasing refreshed models?

With its lack of legroom, what was the purpose of including two seats in the back?

What is your favorite feature on the 86/BRZ?

Which car do you prefer? (You never know, he might say BRZ)

Which would you rather fight; 100 duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck?

Dear Sir (Tada-San),

For a long time now, I truly felt our world of sports cars was faltering (endangered) due to the unpredictable and challenging economy which each one of us endures through as an entirety.

And then along comes the great heart of this car, which has enthused us commoners with LIFE and passion once again. And I feel that this new product of yours has quite possibly become much more than a mere product. Perhaps this is the start for becoming a way of life... As only a select few have influenced the automotive world with.

And in turn, I would be greatly favored for your response in answering how you personally feel the Toyota 86 (GT 86 / BRZ / FR-S) will shape and perhaps even, redefine the automotive future of the term: Sports Car.

Thank you, Sir.

Texas FR-S I'm not so sure that Tada will understand or Itchitaka properly translate when you wax poetic like that.

I gonna try my best to translate close to the original as I can get... but again, I'm not professional translator, so I do have my limits. :thumbsup:

:( Aww I wanted to know more about a new Supra :(

I just wanted to know what Tada usually orders on his pizza :lol:

Most people I know dont seem to like anchovies, but I do. Pineapple also.

I like them, just not together.

Sorry, I know what you mean... just wanted to keep this On-Topic of ZC/ZN.

I like pineapple but hold the anchovies.

LOL

Firstly, just want to add to the pile of thanks (and some humility) to Tada-san for being willing to put up with our questions.

My question: How many miles are put on the final test car before the model is released to production? I ask this because of the issue that has come up for USDM/Scion owners of the chirping fuel pump, of which the main cause still has not been officially given.

Dear Tada San

Thank you for creating such a wonderful car. I would like to lower the car to give it a more sporty appearance, as well as fit after market wheels. How would you suggest doing this to keep the car fun?

Obviously by lowering the car, we will get less suspension travel, and the car will not dip as much as it does stock, but I would like to make it look more sporty and still keep the car fun. I was thinking some TRD chassis parts to reinforce the rigidity combined with suspension modifications. For the wheels, would you agree that a low grip tyre, even with a wider stance than stock could still provide the same levels of FUN?

Are there any plans to produce a higher revving version, 9000rpm? :)

Just trying to kiss some good old fashioned buttocks, and get noticed! :bellyroll:

Just kidding... ;) :D

Awesome, I really appreciate it. :thumbsup:

I know it was said in the past... but will the power upgrades be retro fitable? And of course thanks!

Why have such a restrictive intake? Thats my only question.

This is all I can think up of at the moment.



Dear Mr. Tada-san,

Thank you for making it possible, from all of us here at FT86club.com, to make a dream come true to have the opportunity to obtain a truly brilliant made sports car.

I have a few questions that I hope you can answer. First off, will the FRS receive any upgrades/options for the interior in the next 1-3 years? Will their be any new additional colors for the FRS as well? And a random/silly question, if the GT86/FRS was an animal, what animal do you think it would embody itself to be?

Thanks,

M-17

I would so love to talk to Tada-san in person. Well, I can't think of any great questions at the moment (in reality, I'd have a lot of little questions about the development of the car), but since he's always asking people, what would you change/improve, I'd love to have him hear my opinion:

Suggestions to change/improve:
Smoother power band/more mid-range torque (Make a more advanced intake?)
Smoother shifting at all temperatures (Make a better synthetic transmission oil? Add triple synchros to 4th gear?)
More steering feel/feedback (Stiffen steering bushings/dampers?)
Better sounding exhaust (Have Yamaha tune it?)

Suggestions to add:
Arm rest
Memory seats (mechanical)
Split fold rear seats
Glove compartment lock
Miles until empty display
Tire pressure display (psi)
Adaptive Front Lighting System?

Suggestions to lower weight:
Aluminum or plastic front fenders
Aluminum roof and trunk
Forged aluminum suspension arms/links
Brembo aluminum brake calipers
BBS forged or Enkei MAT cast aluminum wheels
Mahle forged aluminum pistons

And I agree with Synack in that I'd like to know if or why they purposely put 0 camber up front and if he would say that the "camber bolt" is the "official solution." And I'd also like to know if the dampers are really valved differently from the BRZ to FR-S since he originally said they were but they've been tested seemingly the same.

And of course, see if he will answer what will change for the next model year. :thumbup:

Other than that, just have him tell Scion to stop being such a cheap, crappy brand and allow some options for us like the HID/LED's. :D

I thank him and I thank you!

how long are you planning on keeping this design and specs? and, if any, can current owners buy the options or extras coming for the later models to add to their car?
i have this gut feeling the 1st year buyers are gonna get screwed over come the 2014 model and so on.

This one, I've discussed with Tada-san on April. He said he'll look into it/think about it.

So it'll be good follow up question! :thumbsup: