Toyota considering moving Scion upmarket. FR-S variants could pave the way

[Osiris]

Originally Posted by Calidrifter

Sounds like the perfect spot for either a new Celica or even MR

From what I recall reading somewhere Toyota was looking at bringing back an MR2-esque sports car under the price of the FR-S and then another Supra as the high class sports car. That could just be idle gossip though.

[Sco2355]

It would be crazy if Scion folded and took their vehicle line up with them instead of letting Toyota absorb them. Our cars would become ultra rare in North America if they stopped bringing them here. I would end up buying another car just to stop putting miles on the frs for resale value later on.

[bdub85]

Please just make a 35k FR-S with a turbo, HID's, etc...

[MVJ1975]

Originally Posted by Guff

Hmmm, I'm not sure what they could slot in at right under 30k that would work as a CLA competitor. Toyota doesn't really have a platform that seems to fit in. Camry perhaps? But even then, that can get expensive. Although it seems to fit...

Camry platform, young edgy styling, nice features, maybe a V6 if its cost effective. Call it the xC?

They actually do - the Mark X. In Japan it starts just over $31k but that figure could easily be brought down by decontenting it slightly, and through increased volume from the NA market. I'd say they could easily get a US-spec Mark X under $30k.

[FRSupra]

Food for thought:

My girlfriend just bought a two year old MKS. The original window sticker was still in the glovebox and it read: MSRP TOTAL: $54,500. It's the awd/ecoboost engine (355hp turbo).

The car had 20,000mi on it and she got it for $24,000.

Mileage and age aside, myself, and a lot of other buyers would probably take that hit and own a car like this instead of paying $30,000 range for a knock off luxury segment.

Not sure if any of you have been in a new MKS, but it really is a state of luxury.

[Steve86]

I honestly can't tell if this is a late April Fool's joke or not.

That being said, I'm all over the idea of a brand that just sells AS1 based variants. Sans glowing emblems, of course.

[Captain_Awesome_Pants]

Originally Posted by Steve86

I honestly can't tell if this is a late April Fool's joke or not.

That being said, I'm all over the idea of a brand that just sells AS1 based variants. Sans glowing emblems, of course.

Without an actual article or source material cited, yes.

[dem00n]

Its April 2nd.

[Sasquachulator]

Doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me to go upmarket. Lexus wont come down, but they can make the CT a little cheaper by forgoing the hybrid system and putting in a regular gas engine (since from what ive read a power boost could do wonders for that car)

Toyota has an Avalon that seemingly is overlapping with the ES.

If they wanted they could just bring over an FRS with full GT86 specs and price it as whatever, don't have to limit their thinking.

They could just revamp the entire lineup and give the whole scion brand a completely new niche instead of limiting themselves to price brackets.

-FRS + derivatives
-tC..hmmm I dunno whats the point of this car now. They could ditch it, fold it back into the Toyota brand and renew it back as a proper Celica. In fact any car that has a back history should be renewed as a Toyota. (So Supra, Celica and MR2)
-xB needs to go back to its roots as the imported minibox with good mileage and good space.
-The iQ is an iQ. Should give it a manual box and/or ditch the CVT and put in a 6speed auto. Oh and a price drop to something more realistic for its size would help.
-Mini truck, something smaller than a Tacoma/Hilux.
-Mini Van thing (like those old Delicas, Vanagons, Hyjets, hell maybe an Estima sized minivan)
-Perhaps this could be an opportunity to give them a RWD non-lexus, non-luxury car like a MarkX derivative or something. or even a small RWD car. Or maybe a version of the Toyota Avensis.

Then they wouldn't particularly be going in one direction or another, they'd be filling small holes with product that doesn't exist in the current Toyota lineup.

[Mandy]

Originally Posted by Captain_Awesome_Pants

Without an actual article or source material cited, yes.

I don't know. It seems like the content is fairly accurate, and it was posted on the 2nd. If so, props to Hachiroku for providing me with the only somewhat convincing April Fools this year.

If it's true, I think that Scion should just convert all of it's items to the Toyota name. I can't understand why/how they would move Scion to entry-level luxury. The only car that fits right now is the FR-S, and it will be years until new variants of it are spawned off the FR-S. The car was really always begging to be a Toyota to begin with, and considering many fully loaded Toyota models will make there way into the $40,000 area, I don't see the need for it.

A better idea would be to do something similar to the new SRT Viper. It was formerly a "Dodge Viper", but then they spawned the SRT name as a brand.

"TRD FR-S"? Maybe just make TRD it's own brand name, and not use it for selling overpriced parts?

Last thought here; I think the Scion emblem would look 90000% cooler if they took the word "Scion" off of it. It's a bit redundant, and without it, it kinda reminds me of the Silvia emblems (which I think are tasteful).

[Captain_Awesome_Pants]

Originally Posted by dem00n

Its April 2nd.

Im thinking it was just under the wire on west coast timezone. Still, like anything else, Im a bit evidence based regardless of day. Cite a source or it didn't happen.

[zc06_kisstherain]

I kinda saw this day would come from Scion/Toyota/Lexus.
They should've sticked with FRS with Toyota brand as they planned at first time.
many people / car enthuaist wanted Toyota brand not Scion including me.
I originally planned to purchase FRS under toyota and they changed route to Scion.
I disappointed and went with Subaru BRZ. (can't justifiy myself driving Scion brand with my age)

I don't think FRS under Lexus doesnt make sense to me since it's already launched vehicle in market. suddenly FRS is now under Lexus? lol who would buy even all nice option / new features added.

[CBR600RR]

How about; rebranding "Scion" to "Toyota",,,, instant success!

[JoeBoxer]

Pretty sure i saw one review that said they would pick the Avalon over the new ES. The Avalon is actually a really nice car, i love the interior and would consider it if i was in the market for something that size.

I would also like to see a 4 dr sports sedan based off the FRS, similar to the original IS300.