Scion VP on Jalopnik

[Jyn]

I know, another "twins forced induction rumors" thread, but I think there's some interesting insight from the VP of Scion.
Taken from http://jalopnik.com/will-we-ever-see...ore-1679026612


macanamera
Will we ever see a forced induction, or otherwise more powerful, FR-S?


Doug Murthamacanamera
There is no plan for a factory forced-induction version. No significant power changes in the short order. There will be a mid-cycle change to the product, but in terms of changing powertrain classes that's not in the works as much as we'd like it to be.



But in another comment thread:
http://jalopnik.com/i-think-that-a-l...-as-1679025918

ReforMatt
I think that a lot of people would like to see Scion as a more performance oriented brand or at least offer some more performance oriented options. Currently the FRS is the only sporty car that Toyota/Scion is building, and so my question is what are your thoughts on this as well as thoughts about turbocharging cars since Toyota/Scion do not seem to believe in using them while many of the other companies are embracing them throughout their range.

Thanks!

Doug Murtha
We're not going to move the entire lineup in that direction. Am I extremely happy to have a car like the FR-S? Yes. Is there more we can do? Either with FR-S or down the road? Absolutely. Do we have something fundamentally against forced induction? Not at all. That's something we really need to resolve with the engineers.

There are some affordability issues, but we're emboldened with the success of selling a $26,000 Scion so we're open to doing more in that space and open to forced induction.



------------
So while there isn't any official word of a stock F/I platform for the 86 (kinda glad for that), Scion seems to be open to the concept of putting it on some of their later offerings. With the way other manufacturers are using using F/I now (although more for economy/MPG use cases), and Scion being the "fun" brand, hopefully they'd push more towards the power side?

[tahdizzle]

My Magic Eight-Ball says: Outlook not so good.

Maybe in a gen 2 or gen 3 twin, but definitely not the current.

[swarb]

I really wonder what that mid-cycle change is. And if 2015's already got those. Meh'

[LucidMomentum]

Originally Posted by swarb

I really wonder what that mid-cycle change is. And if 2015's already got those. Meh'

My 2015 came with a new paint code and Sharkfin antenna, maybe that's it?

[swarb]

I doubt scion vp has anything to do with design or engineering. Marketing and PR at most.

[DarkSunrise]

I like this response, especially the bolded part:

We do have a mid-cycle change of FR-S to look forward to and stay tuned for more details on timing. We're very focused on what will follow the current generation FR-S.

Makes me think Toyota/Scion will create a second-generation FR-S and won't be content letting the FR-S fall by the wayside (like Honda did with the S2000/NSX).

[Jyn]

Originally Posted by swarb

I doubt scion vp has anything to do with design or engineering. Marketing and PR at most.

I don't see how that has to do with what I think you're trying to hint at. Higher execs are who determine the company's extended roadmap. Engineering's the peons that execute; R&D's the nerds that no one talks to except occasionally when they need to know if something can be done or if they've made some crazy breakthrough.

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Makes me think Toyota/Scion will create a second-generation FR-S and won't be content letting the FR-S fall by the wayside (like Honda did with the S2000/NSX).

No mention of a second generation, but from other responses in the Q&A, he noted that Scion was happy (and surprised) by the sales numbers of a "$26k" car. This was in regards to questions about Scion having "luxury" offerings, so perhaps it means Scion isn't afraid to continue developing at that price point for cars like the FR-S.

[dem00n]

He's got some good replies, i have to admit.

[abraxis]

Originally Posted by Jyn

I don't see how that has to do with what I think you're trying to hint at. Higher execs are who determine the company's extended roadmap.

Right, and in the world of automotive higher execs that include Subaru and Toyota, the VP of Scion might get the coffee if he's even allowed to attend the meetings.

[tennisfreak]

Scion/Toyota: There is absolutely no plan to give an overwhelming majority of people what they want by giving the FR-S more power. We have known, still know, and always will know what is best for you. We make what we want, not what our potential buyers want.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by dem00n

He's got some good replies, i have to admit.

He has marketing VP replies is what he has. Say what people want to hear but don't really say anything firm!
Being "open" to things does not for one second mean they will do them.
What I tool away from the comments was that there was a lot they may "like" to do but the repeated references to cost and "affordability" seem to cancel out the "likes".

[BlackMonarch]

Corporate bush-beating-bullshit. The TL;DR of his responses: Second gen? We don't know! We sure do like money though! Turbos? The fuck is that? Maybe! You chumps bought a 26k SCION! Maybe you'd like leather in your tC!"

That's all I took away from this. Nothing of any meaningfulness to our cars.

[UtahSleeper]

What I take from this is that they are atleast slighty pleased with how a non cookie cutter car did and the FR-S may be a stepping stone car for them to try some other sporty ideas.

Maybe an FR-T as a replacement to the fr-s/unofficial second gen..........one can hope.

[dem00n]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

He has marketing VP replies is what he has. Say what people want to hear but don't really say anything firm!
Being "open" to things does not for one second mean they will do them.
What I tool away from the comments was that there was a lot they may "like" to do but the repeated references to cost and "affordability" seem to cancel out the "likes".

Compared to the other Jalopnik "Ask this important guy stuff" interviews, this one shows a bit of personatlily.

We like this, but the market isn't feeling it, so we're most likely not going to do it.

A statement like that doesn't completely rule out what's in store for the future of the company. It is a game of yell and run, but it's a lot better than "No."