86 not a Scion afterall (theory)
 

This just dawned on me, Scion ideals have always been to appeal to the younger crowd and costs of vehicles are very affordable for those demographics.

All this talk about the FT being a Scion might be true, heres why. Toyota currently is incredibly big on the Green Movement in the automotive industry. They have several hybrid cars in their current available lineup. Scion however still has ample room to launch a hybrid. While many youth today wouldn't drive a Prius, that doesn't mean they wouldn't want drive a hybrid. Based on their Fashion over Function mentality, a good looking sporty URBAN commuter with room, with good gas mileage for those poor college students, is what Scion would need to blow up their image a bit.

heres the car to do it. and FT-ch
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog....-ch-01_opt.jpg

I had forgotten about this concept car, but this car was announced that among the Hybrid/Prius platforms, the North American Marketing Strategy built this car to "appealing to a younger, less-affluent buyer demographic."
Meaning this could very well be sold under Scion Management as an FT as discussed in the Toyota Dealer Management Meeting in Vegas.

Its a viable theory as, if this concept would come into fruition, it would not be lined up as a Toyota because of its heavy ties with Prius. This is not a Prius replacement, but an extension of design philosophy catering to youth. So the more logical Alternative branding would be released as a Scion FT.

THOUGHTS?

scion has the iq coming out next year. its small and echo friendly. though that car does look a little like the hako concept. I think that it could do well in the line up, but give it a couple years

right but the IQ is also a micro car, which might not be the most fashionable urban vehicles to drive. a Proper stylish 4 seater hatch is more appropriate for younger demographics.

Also This line up would makes more sense to me.

Scion = FTch Hybrid
Toyota = FT86 SportsCoupe
Lexus = FThs Sports Hybrid

Yeah, but you are not the one who makes decisions at Toyota.:iono:

well no sh*t, this is a theory thread.

The 86 being released as a scion seems likely if toyota wants scion to do better and be taken more seriously in the automotive industry.

SCION= fun/sporty cars

TOYOTA=family/utility cars

LEXUS=luxury/performance


I guess if hyundai can pull off the genesis why can't scion pull off the 86

Hmm. IMO I think the FT-86 can replace the Celica as the sports car in their lineup. The Celica after all was similar in weight (~2500 lbs), power(~190 hp), number of seats(2+2), number of doors(2), price(top model costs ~$19K), transmission options(6 speed), rev limiter(~8400 RPM), and other factors such as fuel economy will probably be the same or better. The only main difference is that this car is RWD and is using a boxer engine. But theoretically speaking, if the Celica fit in to the lineup back then, then the FT-86 can fit in now. They are both affordable sport cars from Toyota.

The celica was already a "Toyota" car since the '70s, long before Scion was introduced. They wouldn't go and rebadge a car they've had around for 34 years to make it a "Scion" for the remaining 2 years of production. Now that Scion is around and this car hasn't come out yet they can badge it however they see fit, though I dont know why they would be sending it to all these auto shows as a Toyota FT-86 if they planned on changing the name but I don't know. I dont really care, I'd rather have it as a Toyota because I like Toyota and you probably would't get as many bat-out-of-hell teens smashing around with this car if it was Toyota; but Scion is esentially Toyota so I guess it is what it is and if people don't want a Scion (if it turns out to become a Scion) then wait for the Subaru model or get another car lol. Or you can look at it as an awsome little sports car that you would love to have no matter what the name was because it's going to be affordable and a blast to drive, not to mention it looks mean. :happyanim:

I could see your point! USDM=Scion, JDM=Toyota

I think either way if it was badged a Scion instead of a Toyota all you'll need is a hair dryer, some goo gone, a micro fiber and a little patience. :thumbsup:

Lol ya, problem solved :thumbup:. (and maybe a autobot or decepticon badge to fill in the holes ;); that is if there are holes, i know my car has holes where the badge goes)


jk

The hood emblem might be the only one that would be a problem since it's flushed but both front are rear are definitely pegged. Also since the Toyota emblem ring is smaller than the ugly ass Scion ring, it could be replaced and a direct replacement. The model name will more than likely double sided tape.

I'm sure we'll have a huge DIY sticky w/direct links and p/n's for Toyota replacement badges if its indeed a Scion. :happy0180:

Why is everybody forgetting that Toyota's aim is to have cars for people at every stage of their lives? If Toyota has no sports cars, what do the people who drive sporty scions going to cross over to? Not everybody makes it big right out of college and can manage to buy a Lexus IS coupe (which does not exist yet btw) or IS F.

I agree with you totally. Except.... when did the Top tier celica cost only $19k? :iono:

and of course it can fit in. Toyota is a full line vehicle manufacturer, it ought... neigh, NEEDS to have a sports car or two.

See;
Ford
GM
Dodge
VW
Nissan

etc etc etc

Though this is mere speculation (just like this entire thread), Toyota seems to have merged away from the "motorsports image" that it once embraced back in the 80-90's. By creating a completely different subdivision (Scion) targeting a younger age group all while still developing cars and trucks for the working class American seems like their marketing model.

Pulling the plug on their sports cars didn't seem to hurt their sales figures substantially and most of the Japanese manfactures seemed to have followed. :thumbdown:

Makes me reminisce of cars in the 90's rocking turbos; Starion, GSX/GST, 3000GT, Talons, Galant VR4, MR2, Supra, 300ZXTT, Toyota P/U SR5 turbo!! :burnrubber::bow:

Impossible. If anything, they perhaps did it with their long focus on Formula 1, however, with their exit, they specifically said they are making a move to get back in touch with their customer base and focus on grassroots motorsport and motorsports that are more connected to the public. To that end, they will be supplying an engine to Rebellion racing to compete in LMP2 at LeMans, and they have been seen snooping around WRC, WTCC and GT venues. They have provided a car to do testing for the Next Gen touring car of BTCC, and Toyota Motorsports GmbH has been converted to a motorsports engineering outsourcing firm, a la Lotus Engineering (does not preclude them from participating as a works team, rumor is that they want to go rallying).

See links

http://www.4wheelsnews.com/toyota-ha...o-formula-one/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktAOZpKzenM
^some crazy shit, engineers/mechanics/technical oriented racer's wet dream.

on top of that this year they created the sub group GR Gazoo Racing for their serious sports lineup. Scions presence wasn't intended to take up the lost ideals of racing. In fact its everyones bias that they associate YOUTH ORIENTED to SPORTS CARS, which is a false image.

Toyota them self did move away from the seriousness of spirited driving, but Scion DID NOT FILL, NOR WAS INTENDED TO REPLACE THAT FEELING. If yo had read the interviews and articles from the designers and not the Execs. They clearly stated that they wanted Toyota to return/revive that old motorsports phenomenon.

Well is a crock of shit!

"Senior Managing Director Tadashi Yamashina, the head of Toyota's global racing program, said that its priority is grass-roots racing, which leads to a closer connection with the fans. This includes events such as NASCAR in the US..."

When Speed Channel became Speed and they got rid of Two Wheel Tues and limited the Superbike and MotoGP races for 24/7 Nascar coverage, I've learned to hate Nascar even more!

Toyota's presence in Nascar is a definitely a good thing but the apple doesn't fall far from the tree! That would be awesome if they applied the engineering R&D to a production level but it has yet to be seen.

That's why I like motorcycles! World Superbike replicates the production model and a lot of the R&D is ported; a la 170hp, 13,500 RPM, 437lb Kawasaki 2011 ZX-10R.

All the Scion billboards and marketing were aimed towards the whole "customization" for the XB/XA/tC which definitely targets the young, wannabe import enthusiats.

If Toyota want to revive their heritage of motorsports, they have to badge this vehicle as a Toyota. :happy0180:

I think Kawazaki Ninja 1000 aka ZX-10R is the most powerful 1000cc liter bike. 197hp, and even Lighter than BMW S1000RR.
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/05/2...ht-more-speed/

however, I'm sticking with CBR1000RR. Easy to live with.. :D

Sadly, the American version of the bike, while still impressive, is expected to put out roughly 10 fewer ponies... dang the EPA!

I wonder if the ECU jumper mod on the older Kawasakis would work? It worked on my '05 ZX6RR for 8 more hp

http://300kmj.blogspot.com/2008/08/f...saki-zx6r.html

Currently it is but it's always becomes power/weight ratio shoot out. BMW set the bar, Kawasaki matched, now sit back and wait for the rest to start making 198...199hp liter bikes.

Believe me when I tell you I hate NASCAR too, but ultimately nascar has nothing to do with anything road going, So I'll just take that as a "we aren't going to ditch NASCAR like we did F1" kinda comment so nobody would get spooked.

^ Happy 1000th post :D

True, I mistook the GT price for the GTS. I believe it was around $24K for the GTS.
You have a point. I did not think that one through. But do you think the Celica was out of place in the Toyota lineup? Toyota has had sports cars in their lineup for decades, and the Celica was dropped in 2006, almost five years ago. IMO Toyota would do well with the 86 in their lineup, simply because it would function as the Celica; a sign of Toyota's ongoing racing development.

Toyota's marketing schemes are different now of course.

Wow crap. Thanks. I really need to find other ways to pick up slack at the office.

:bellyroll:

Luckily Scions aren't even E-approved and won't be coming to europe any time soon, so it'll be a Toyota at least in here.

BTW, am I really the only who can see the new 86 competing in the S2000 rally series? That would source some pretty awesome parts for it :wub: Even if Toyota doesn't make it, I think Subaru will, would be a better sized car than the actual Impreza compared to Fiestas and such.

^ Won't the FIA be phasing out S2000 for 1600+turbo regulations soon?

Hadn't heard that one but it seems they are changing rules for season 2011 :bonk: Also cutting out electronic controls of central diff's for limiting overall costs :cry:

Hope Subaru still wants to get back in the WRC action as it has been a part of their image for ages, we wont get that much great parts out of it though if they have to use a different engine.

Good job on the 1000.... I've been slacking :(