GReddy Scion FR-S Makes First USA Public Appearance at Cars & Coffee in Irvine, CA
 

12/10/2011
Cars & Coffee, Irvine, CA

A surprise UN-announced appearance of Scion FRS makes it's FIRST public appearance of the car on the road. (Scion version). This was the black car presented at the Scion Preview Private event last week. Today it was accompanied by Club4AG member's AE86's at the meet.

What a success! All the folks swarmed into the car almost magnetically, and there were several young folks who claimed position of expert (from reading rumors and what not on the internet...lol) and even the older exotic car owners simply marveled at the construction, engine layout, and other details of the car. There weren't enough of us to answer the riot of people and questions. Still, The FIRST EVER STREET outing of the FRS, complete surprise and unannounced shocked the show visitors, and lucky by-standers got a treat of seeing this occasion.

Got to operate it a bit today and thought I'd share some of the less techy side of it and concentrate on the intrinsic of what is special...

I didn't get to go no more than to feel the clutch, steering, shift linkages, and brakes. But let me tell you, within just a few dozen yards of this car, even before the full around the block. OMG...!!

The steering feel is on the heavy side like a proper sports car, possibly VERY communicative at speed, the clutch pedal stroke is almost a dead clone of the AE86, triple pedal layout is spot on for heel and toe, the engine response is about as good as my 20V blackhead on Freedom ECU, seat position against vehicle controls were akin to what most of us place with a low-bracket aftermarket seats in the AE86, the cabin engine noise is effectively orchestrated by Yamaha, Subaru and Toyota working on a epic concert, just as defined as my LFA ride experience just a day before this.

Also I need to note that the front A pillar is really similar to the LFA, and front window raked about the same from the inside. Lots of headroom. I'm 5-10 and you can see from the photo, I have a lot left in headroom. I think anyone up to 6-2 or so will fit fine with a helmet, thanks to the very low seating position. The OEM bucket seat is spectacular! It may be a bit tight at the shoulder bolsters for the widest of folks, but for me it seemed tailored to my shoulders.

Shift linkage is very short throw for an OEM box with perhaps 4 inch travel from 3rd-4th at the top of the shift lever. The shift feel is nothing I have felt in a Toyota-Aisin box before, its as precise and firm as a brand new BMW M3.

I first bent in butt-first into the low seats, then holding the steering wheel, I swung over my feet over the rather wide side sills. (I can see the structural rigidity just by looking at these sills) It's a VERY low seating position. Once I adjusted my seat via slider and recliner, I noticed everything else just seem to fall right where I needed it. Pretty close to a modified AE86 race ****pit seating position. Firm seats hold you snug at the thigh, and shoulders, where it counts the most for tactile feel of the road. The ritual needed to ingress/egress is pretty special, and you really get a sense of the fact that you are climbing in and out of a sports car, again similar to getting into an LFA.

Moto Miwa

Updated with videos:

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6...3247c9b7_b.jpg
I finally got to drive one!! by Moto@Club4AG, on Flickr

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Scion FRS - with Greddy USA and Club4AG by Moto@Club4AG, on Flickr

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Scion FRS - with Greddy USA and Club4AG by Moto@Club4AG, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6...e8fc1509_b.jpg
Scion FRS - with Greddy USA and Club4AG by Moto@Club4AG, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7175/6...d139f5ce_b.jpg
Scion FRS - with Greddy USA and Club4AG by Moto@Club4AG, on Flickr

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Mark Vaghn of AutoWeek Magazine and TV got the first official street drive in the Pre-Production form with the 797 MFG CA Plates.

Man I wished I lived in California, really do get to have all the fun out there! Thanks for the Post RRnold and Switch! Really awesome to hear that it's close to the AE86

Damn it. Was this open to the public? I kinda doubt it but as I have been hearing the Scion boys on the forum say that Scion PR is pretty awesome.

I live like 20 min from there too...

oh my god, I hope my shoulders fit because they are wide when my back is straight(normal posture), i normally slouch them so i can fit in NYC subway seats without taking up 2 seats

Yeah, public if you join the forum. There are all kinds of cars and motorcycles that go there.

http://irvine.carsandcoffee.info/

Looks like there are options for the upholstery trim color.

If you are referring to the blue is custom from Greddy I believe.

That was done custom by GReddy, it's not an option.

OH MY FAWKING GAWD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EPIC SEX!!

LOL I know what you mean...hopefully more comfy than the metro north.

That's it, I am not getting the Subie. This thing to too dang sexy to pass up

Yes, it was open to the public as it was just a guest appearance at a car meet held weekly on Ford/Mazda Campus for exotic and classic car owners.
But the plan to appear today was unannounced and was a surprise for everyone. Soon though, in late February, when the Toyota Motor Corp gets the fleet of a dozen or so Public Relations and Marketing cars, they should appear at more formally announced venues. For now, there seems to be only two cars which Scion has, and they are pretty well guarded as they are still scheduled for really important showings. The next stop for at least one of the cars will be at the DETROIT MOTOR SHOW in January. So if you want a glimpse at the FRS in this form, and live in the East or Mid West, do make a trip out! See you all there!

welcome to the forum!! awesome that you got to drive it! great pics

Dem some old ricers :bellyroll: