Finally! First Scion FR-S test drive review (Automobile)
 

First Drive: 2013 Scion FR-S


December 08, 2011 / By Joe DeMatio

from Automobile - http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews...ive/index.html

Slide behind the wheel of the first-ever rear-wheel-drive Scion and settle into the Recaro-style seats. Severely sculpted, with black fabric, red stitching, and prominent bolsters, they immediately telegraph the performance intentions of this 2+2-seat coupe. Drop your left leg onto the clutch pedal. The travel is short but fluid, with a discernible engagement point just short of the floor. The gearshift has short throws and positive action. The steering wheel is all business, exactly the right thickness and with minimal padding. So far, everything feels just right to the soles of your feet and the palms of your hands, and the car isn't even moving yet.

We're at Sodegaura Forest Raceway, a 1.5-mile road course tucked into a forest in Chiba Prefecture, across Tokyo Bay from Tokyo. This is our first drive of Toyota's version of the all-new, front-engine rear-wheel-drive coupe it co-developed with Subaru. We drove the Subaru BRZ last week, and the Scion FR-S (Front engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport) is virtually the same car, with some minor tuning and trim differences. Toyota will sell the FR-S as the Toyota 86 in Japan and as the Toyota GT86 in Europe, but only as the Scion FR-S in North America.


Attachment 3453


More on the Subaru connection shortly. Turn the key (other markets get push-button start) and the 200-hp, 2.0-liter Subaru flat-four engine, code-named 4U-GSE for those who care about such things, sparks immediately to life and settles into a quiet hum. Engage the clutch, select first gear, and we are off with a chirp of the rear tires, heading quickly into the tight right-hander that is Turn One at Sodegaura. Oh, wow, does this car turn in. The steering is super precise, and you have a good sense of the front of the car, even if there's not the sort of steering feel you get in a Lotus Elise or Porsche Cayman. The FR-S feels flat, balanced, neutral, natural.

"Natural" is the operative word with the FR-S, as every action and reaction feels like you expect it to. The car's chief virtue is its simplicity. It's a small, short-wheelbase, relatively light (curb weight is still unknown) car that does without turbocharging, large-displacement engines, all-wheel drive, trick transaxles, or big rubber. In fact, the Michelin Primacy HP tires are only 215/45R17's, in an era when 20-inch tires are commonplace. Yet the FR-S is a better and more rewarding car to drive -- at least on a handling course; we haven't driven it or the BRZ on public roads yet -- than many cars that have turbos, large-displacement engines, transaxles, big rubber, or all-wheel drive. Funny how that works.


Attachment 3454


The FR-S works very well indeed. A key technical achievement is the low center of gravity afforded by the compact horizontally opposed four-cylinder, which nestles deep down in the engine bay. Like the Subaru BRZ, the FR-S is offered either with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic that locks up its torque converter with the goal, says chief engineer Tetsuya Tada, of "exceeding DSG gearboxes" in shift times. Although there is a manual shift gate for the automatic, plus shift paddles, we found it worked best on the track when it's simply left in drive; try to use the paddles and you'll likely have downshifts denied even when there seems to be plenty of space left on the tach. That complaint aside, this appears to be a very nice automatic, but why would you want one in this pure sports car?

Back to the track. The FR-S moves fluidly among Sodegaura's fourteen corners, and it's very forgiving if you misread a line and dive abruptly toward the apex. Oversteer is easily achieved and easily controlled, and if you don't have the nerve or skill to turn off the stability control entirely, the "VSC Sport" button gives you a lot of rear-end-out fun before the stability cuts in. On a wet track, this was a swell, giggle-inducing experience. The engine, which is fitted with Toyota's D4-S combined port injection and direct injection, isn't raspy like most Subaru fours nor a high-RPM screamer like, say, the Honda S2000's four. Yet it heads readily to its 7400-RPM redline and never seems short of breath. The redline itself is pretty forgiving, but the window between 7000 RPM and redline is exceedingly short, and an upshift-alert light blinks furiously if you're not efficient with your upshifting.


Attachment 3455


Furious track activity is clearly what the FR-S is for, as evidenced by a series of hot laps conducted at Sodegaura by Scion Formula Drift star Ken Gushi, who drove the car for the first time today just like us. "Drove" is perhaps the wrong verb, because Gushi launched, hammered, battered, finessed, coaxed, directed, and manipulated the Scion around the rain-swept road course in a nearly nonstop drift that was an equally violent and controlled maneuver, a dramatic display of this car's potential. Okay, so he did a complete spinout in one corner, prompting him to observe wryly, "It's a little snappy when you're driving it stock." Indeed. "And how will the drift FR-S differ from the production version?" we asked. "Well, of course we will put on huge rubber, and 200 hp isn't nearly enough for competition, so we'll have to turbocharge it," the California Drifter replied.

"Where will you wedge in the turbocharger?"

"That's the problem," came Gushi's grinning reply. "We don't know yet!" Rest assured, the Scion Formula Drift shop, among myriad other tuners, will be figuring this out soon.


Attachment 3456


Even with a far, far less talented driver behind the wheel, the FR-S dives into corners with enthusiasm and a minimum of understeer. We haven't had the same editor in both the Subaru and the Scion, but comparing notes, it appears that the Scion is less susceptible to understeer than the BRZ. Chief engineer Tada-San says that his goal in tuning the FR-S was agility, whereas Subaru focused more on stability, so this makes sense. "We have softer springs and stiffer dampers in front than Subaru does," Tada-San tells us. "At the rear, I chose the same spring rates as Subaru but different valves in the dampers."

Which brings us to the whole notion of this Subaru/Toyota partnership. How did this happen? Well, it's difficult to get the entire story from either side, but this is what we've managed to piece together:

By the middle of last decade, Fuji Heavy Industries, Subaru's parent company, was no longer associated with General Motors. (You remember that association; it produced the Subaru WRX-based Saab 9-2. So you can see why the association ended.) Through some combination of national pride, Japanese government prodding, and goodwill, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) began a relationship with Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) after Fuji's divorce from GM. At about the same time, Toyoda family patriarch Akio Toyoda, who is now president, asked, "where is the passion in our lineup? I want to build a sports car." TMC established a sports car planning division, which quickly decided on a brief for the new car. Its styling would be inspired by the Toyota 2000GT supercar of the 1960s, its engine would follow in the footsteps of the flat-two-cylinder engine in the diminutive Toyota 800 (a.k.a. Yotahachi), and it would be conceived in the spirit of the famous mid-1980s Toyota Corolla GT-S, known to aficionadoes by its internal Toyota code name, AE86. (In Toyota nomenclature, the A referred to the 4AGEV engine, the E to the Corolla model line, and the 86 was a sequential number. "86," or "Hachi-Roku" in Japanese, has taken on legendary status among Toyota fans; hence the use of the two digits in non-USA models and even on a little fender badge on the FR-S.)


Attachment 3457


The project progressed for about a year, but Subaru rejected the first proposal. Here's where things get murky, but it's fairly apparent that Subaru was having a hard time stomaching the thought of a rear-wheel-drive car, since their entire brand identity is predicated on all-wheel drive. Subaru walked away from the table and the entire project was in limbo for about half a year. Subaru finally decided to make a prototype car with a very low center of gravity, which eliminated the possibility of all-wheel drive. That prototype both surprised and amazed Toyota, which enthusiastically supported its development. The joint project proceeded in late 2007 and now, four years later, we see the fruits of the two companies' work. Styling is by Toyota, development and manufacturing are by FHI, and each company, obviously, will be in charge of marketing and sales for their respective products.

At this juncture, it seems like Toyota might have gotten the better end of the deal. After all, the FR-S falls neatly into a historic lineup of rear-wheel-drive Toyota sports cars and should give the Scion brand a huge dosage of street cred. Subaru, for its part, has staked its entire brand on the concept of all-wheel drive, so it's not clear how the BRZ fits into the Subaru lineup. That said, these cars just feel right to us and are destined to shake up the world of affordable sports cars in a big way.

2013 Scion FR-S
On sale: spring
Base price (estimated): $24,500
Engine: 2.0L DOHC H-4; 200 hp @ 7000 rpm, 150 lb-ft @ 6400-6600 rpm
Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic

Found these interesting:

it appears that the Scion is less susceptible to understeer than the BRZ. Chief engineer Tada-San says that his goal in tuning the FR-S was agility, whereas Subaru focused more on stability, so this makes sense. "We have softer springs and stiffer dampers in front than Subaru does," Tada-San tells us. "At the rear, I chose the same spring rates as Subaru but different valves in the dampers."

"Base price (estimated): $24,500" lol if the case. Scion is screwed then. :bellyroll:

I hope they are wrong. 23K is more acceptable.

Toyota FR-S? WIN
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...5&d=1323386370

LOL I knew it was Subaru colors or the 86 colors just renamed, now it's confirmed. Still I love Lighting red and Satin white pearl. I'm glad about the colors... and looks a white tach.... an option? not so much on the price lol if they're at 24.5K then I expect BRZ to be close to 30K out of the lot. At that prize I rather go for a used 370z or save a huge load of money and get an S2000. I hope that this is not the case. SCION give use 21k! and Subaru Give us 24K and well give you lots of business.

Then again at 24.5K.... they'll still sell.

All Scion fans better hope that is a wrong number and that it is closer to $22k. Imagine paying $24,500 for the FRS? That will not work.

+1. Also, "Turn the key (other markets get push-button start)"
Ouch...not sounding good for those who are looking for that upgrade.

24K for the scion. hmmmmmmmmmm you can get the subaru for the same price with better interior trim.... assuming the brz comes out at 24 like expected.

It comes with a white tach...those Scion promo photos made it look grey. But yeah $24,500? I'd be going with the Subaru for sure

Yeah. I wanted to write 22K. Didn't know I typed 3 instead.

Yeah the 24.5k is a bit intimidating. It could be a premium version equivalent to the BRZ. Maybe there base price will be cheaper to 22-23k.

Scion is going to Die at that price point, they'll be crushed under the weight that everyone would buy the BRZ over the FRS. If the BRZ isn't priced much higher, I mean most people in America ( From differnt Polls other then here I.E. Autoblog) and responses from different magazines all point to the BRZ being better. The only thing the FRS had was it's style and better front and that expected lower price point. If that's gone... well.. I'm sorry Scion it's not going to help your case. again a what if....

Hmm here's a good question. How many of you would still buy the BRZ if the Scion was 24k and the BRZ came close to 30?

I dunno about you guys but I would buy the FRS. I mean I never really had a problem with the interior and those things.

I mean 21K start (21,995) and (24,500) for the best equipped version, we're all Ok with, 24.5 base no bueno people go buy BRZ instead

subaru and scion both offer rebates but you can haggle the brz and the scion is 24 as is.

highly doubt this price is accurate for a base model :iono:

Difference between the two $1000-1500, I'll take the BRZ. Difference $2000-3000 I will have to look at how they come equipped. Greater than $3500-4000 difference and I would have to go with the cheaper one.

Guys, the $24k price is just "estimated" !

For all we know they could be pulling that figure out of thin air. It could just be their own "estimate".

lol that blue photo was so random, it isn't even a FR-S it's just a 86 with FR-S license plate.

I agree with you guys about how a $24k starting price is gonna kill it. I think the base 86 which comes with push start and dual zone climate control starts at $25k Japan. I can't remember where I got that number from though, I think it was from one of those news type show in Japanese and they announced their estimated price in Japanese. Plus if the EVO magazine review is true about the BRZ, the BRZ will have a stripped down version too, which will kill FRS sales for sure if Subaru brings it over to North Amereica.

I have a feeling the pricing analysts are data mining many of these threads online about pricing. If not, THEY BETTER!

The closer they get to 20K the better they will be. I hope they count on volume not per unit margins.

I can't wait to put a set of adjustable coilovers on this car. The chassis seems very responsive to small tweaks.

I would. I have zero interest in the base model with its current interior. Now if they offer upgrades, thatS a different story, but it already appears, at least from this article, that push to start will not be an option for FRS.
I totally respect those who are ok with the interior, different strokes for different folks, and so it may be a good option for them, but I want higher end surroundings and I am willing to pay for it, within reason. Limited BRZ with every option - 30k --- sold.

not a great review. not much was said to differ from the BRZ.

plus im not so sure thats an FR-S. i thought they got darker tail lights

@DuMa
The silver one is a FR-S for sure, the tail lights have less chrome. But the blue one looks like a 86 with a FR-S license plate, plus it still has it's Toyota logo >_>

For Scion's sake it better not be higher than $21,795. Unless that is they are trying to kill the company or point sales to the tC. LOL I'm not upset because I have no intentions of buying the FR-S.

Yes it is estimated however it is very close to the estimated price of the BRZ. whether the writer just made up the number or is basing it off of "off the record" info they have heard behind the scene we do not know. Will just have to wait until official release. But this is much much higher than many are expecting.

24k! Typo?

How did you come to use the $21,795? Is there some meaning behind that?

It says base price estimated at $24,500... so I don't see how you could think they meant anything other than base model price...

Anyways, if that is the case, even I may look at the Subaru, and that's saying a lot. $24,500 is insane for the kind of base interior we have seen. I would be comfortable with that price for fully loaded or damn near fully loaded (maybe everything without navi) but for base? Not a chance.

badging
 

the blue one in the picture has a toyota emblem on trunk. white one has scion on front? if this is a scion review, whats with the Toyota badges? just wondering!

White one? Hope you mean silver?

oops! silver!:bonk: sorry!

You guys should be happy that your not living in the Netherlands... They expect the Toyota GT86 is going to be near the 50.000 euro... thats $66.755.
That price is just to cry for :(

24.5k est. Is too high for the base model and most especially with that interior. IMO, 22k should be starting point.

What y'all fail to realize is that base BRZ the premium model has the same trim as the base frs...except it has hids and navigation. And it rumored to be 24k.

So the frs will have to base at least $1k less than the BRZ...hids and navi don't cost that much...but figure about $2k less than whatever the base BRZ costs or if the frs is really going to cost $24.5k then it will come with more equipment from the high spec 86...like push start, hids with led drl's and dual zone ac. Options might be leather alcantra seats and fog lights and navigation.

All these rumored prices suck!

24.5k for a Scion base... They messed up. Lol

Here's what I'd like to see; Subaru and Toyota/Scion getting in a price war over cars that are made on the same assembly line. Instead, they're going to take as much money as they want from customers and nickel and dime them for add-on extras like push-button start that will be standard in other markets.

I'd also like to see a bunch of lightweight SUPER STRIPPER base models. But I expect to see bloated Scions with sunroofs and optional 20" wheels.

This thread is now about the base price and the Blue Toyota 86.

Grow up guys

*Infraction shield up*

Now way man...how much does a 2012 Camry cost there?

Some times I wonder what would have happened if Scion never came to Canada. They only started opening dealerships here like last year or something.

Sigh, it would be awesome if we can get he GT86 up here.

6AT Better than a DSG, eh?

Will wait for the SC and numbers and first year bugs to be worked out, but very much WANT this car once again...