Click above for a huge high-res gallery of the RS*R Scion tC drift car.
We've enjoyed our fair share of front-wheel-drive hijinks in empty parking lots with our right hand firmly grasping the e-brake, but in the end, tail-out antics are always more enjoyable behind the wheel of something with the proper wheels driven. "Proper," however, isn't the way we'd describe how Scion decided to go about campaigning a tC in this year's Formula Drift series.
With backing from Toyota, the aftermarket firm RS*R converted a run-of-the-mill tC into a rear-wheel-drive monster utilizing a BEAMS-built 3S-GE engine and taking advantage of the Toyota Avensis/Caldina all-wheel-drive chassis on which the tC is built. RS*R ripped out the abysmal 2AZ-FE 2.4-liter four-pot from the stock car, fabbed up a series of new mounts to facilitate the transverse to longitudinal conversion and dropped in the 3S-GE after fitting the four-cylinder with an HKS GT3037 turbo, intercooler, Blitz dual SBC boost controller and an AEM EMS engine management system. Approximately 400 hp is now routed to the rear wheels through a Tilton triple carbon clutch and a G-Force, five-speed sequential gearbox. RS-R coilovers keep things suspended on all four corners, and are hidden by the custom wide-body kit and Enkei RPF1 wheels wrapped in Toyo Proxes R1R rubber.
The RS*R tC will be piloted by Ken Gushi, the youngest driver ever to compete in the D1 series, beginning at the season opener on the Streets of Long Beach on April 12th. Hit the jump to read the full press release and check out Formula D's website to see when the competition will be heating up in your area.
[Source: Toyota]
PRESS RELEASE
Scion Brings tC To Formula Drift
April 8, 2008 - Torrance, CA - Scion today announced it will drift the RS*R Scion tC in Formula Drift events this year.
Scion's drift car is based on its most popular model, the tC sports coupe. The factory built front-wheel drive tC turned into a drifting contender through a rear-wheel drive conversion performed by acclaimed exhaust and suspension manufacturer, RS*R. The tC shares its platform with Toyota's Japanese market Avensis four-wheel drive and Caldina all-wheel drive, enabling it to undergo the conversion. RS*R used its extensive performance shop experience to change the tC's stock transverse engine configuration to a longitudinal setup in order to drive power, through the transmission and drive shaft, directly to the rear wheels.
"Scion has participated in motorsports for three years and the fan support has been incredible," said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. "Drifting is an exciting, emerging motorsport with a dedicated and intense fan base. We're looking to engage drifting enthusiasts and Scion owners just like we do in drag racing. We think the fans will be just as excited as we are about our RS*R Scion tC as it demonstrates one of Scion's primary philosophies, customization. At this time we do not have confirmed plans to produce a tC rear wheel drive, but a lot of people will want to take one home."
The RS*R Scion tC features a 3SGE Beams motor, HKS GT3037 turbo and intercooler, Blitz Dual SBC boost controller, and AEM EMS engine management system that outputs more than 400 horsepower, compared to the stock 161 horsepower. A G-Force five-speed sequential transmission, Tilton triple carbon clutch, Project Mu brakes, RS-R coilovers, Sparco Corsa seats and a custom concept wide body kit also make this vehicle unique. This tC will gracefully maneuver the track with Enkei RPF1 wheels and Toyo Proxes® R1R™ tires.
Ken Gushi will be at the wheel of the RS*R Scion tC. Gushi learned to drift at the age of 13 when his father took him to El Mirage Off-Highway Vehicle Area in California. Gushi started his drifting career at the age of 16 and was the youngest driver to compete in D1. Now 21 years old, Gushi has further developed his skills and placed in many drift events.
"We think our first season of drift will be a knock-out," said Hollis. "We've got the talented Ken Gushi behind the wheel of one of the hottest tCs out there."
The RS*R Scion tC, also sponsored by Toyo Tires and XM Satellite Radio, will make its first appearance at Formula Drift's Round 1, Streets of Long Beach in Calif. on April 12. The event will also be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.
Gushi and the RS*R tC will also compete in subsequent Formula Drift events including Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga. on May 10, Wall Speedway in Wall, N.J. on June 14, Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nev. On July 12, Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash. On Aug. 9, Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. on September 13 and Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, Calif. on Oct. 11.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
vwboyaf1 @ Apr 8th 2008 7:11PM
This is how the car should have been built in the first place. I don't like the idea of Toyota backing a drift car that you can't even buy in the real world. Of course they are hoping that they sell thousands of TC's to morons who think they can be drifted.
Just built a proper sports car, toyota. Otherwise I'm going to buy a Hyundai coupe.
Tourian @ Apr 8th 2008 7:25PM
I surprised they just didn't roll out with a Soarer/LExus SC430 with a 3SGTE under the hood, or even a Supra. Granted it makes more marketing sense to use soemthing drift fans might actually be able to afford to buy, but it doesn't make sense if the real tC is nothing like this car. If the car isn't competitive, which i don't think it will be, Toyota will probably just keep throwing money at it or a better car until they do.
Franz @ Apr 8th 2008 7:25PM
I agree. But Toyota is notorious for this. Even when they were campaigning and winning in WRC, they never sold a turbocharged, awd Corolla.
Brian @ Apr 8th 2008 8:30PM
but they did sell a turbocharged awd celica known as the GT4
Franz @ Apr 8th 2008 8:49PM
@ Brian:
Yeah, back in the '90s (it went out of production in '99). Back then, Toyota actually made sporty cars.
hashiryu @ Apr 8th 2008 11:25PM
@ Franz
they also stopped rallying in '99 :)
Brendan @ Apr 8th 2008 11:26PM
Sounds like they've started taking cues from Ford US with this "we'll build something cool that you can't have" strategy.
glitched @ Apr 8th 2008 11:41PM
I didnt think this car would be legal for formula D.
i thought the rules stated it had to be factory RWD, a car that can be purchased by the public...
Red @ Apr 9th 2008 6:42AM
For those saying Toyota should've used another type of vehicle, it's a marketing thing. If it's manufacturer-backed, the manufacturer is not going to use a vehicle that's not in production, which is why this isn't a Supra or a Soarer. The Lexus IS350 or IS-F makes would, under normal circumstanes, make more sense, but again, this is about marketing. There are far more people who drive Scion's that are attending these drift events or are interested in drifting than there are owners of Lexus-branded vehicles.
I also wouldn't be surprised if Toyota is using this opportunity to gauge public reaction for something they plan on doing in the near future; obviously a RWD small, affordable coupe, similar to Hyundai's Genesis.
tankd0g @ Apr 9th 2008 10:38AM
@glitched:
The Rules:
Eligible Vehicles:
A) Any 2 or 4 door coupe, sedan or sports car.
B) Must be a production car with a minimum build run of 250 units
C) Must maintain original unibody or frame
D) Vehicles that do not meet the above criteria must be approved by the series.
I interpret rule "D" to mean, "Pay us off and you can run what you want."
Pathetic really.
benzoferrari @ Apr 8th 2008 7:23PM
Flagrant rip-off of the Nissan GT-R on the front end. Tantalizing performance on a pro product coupled with a tepid real consumer version. Toyota made a great leap toward its own appointment as the Microsoft of the automotive world with this car.
hashiryu @ Apr 8th 2008 11:38PM
You know the Tc came out before the GT-R and that is how the front is......... the tuning company just painted it.
Aki @ Apr 8th 2008 7:52PM
That GT-R front end is gettting so played out. Japanese companies should stop being so fixated on it.
gus @ Apr 8th 2008 8:07PM
it's also a rip-off of the front end of the Five Axis Widebody tC - down to the SCION lettering inside the grille.
http://static.flickr.com/69/229246415_f9e48843ae.jpg
andy @ Apr 8th 2008 8:21PM
I suspect Five Axis designed this kit as well. If you look at their recent stuff, its all Lexus/Toyota/Scion
gus @ Apr 8th 2008 8:33PM
Definitely not done by Five Axis.
The fit, finish and surfaces look very much "hand-built", definitely not done in CAD (which all Five Axis designs are), and why would they design another new widebody when they can just make another part from the old design.
It would be nice if they make their Project IS-F into a drift car - LOL.
Kyle @ Apr 8th 2008 8:13PM
Have you seen a lot of these drift cars? They're usually based on some esoteric JDM coupe that has been totally refitted. Almost like NASCAR, but with a real body.
It's really sad that anyone watches drifting. How do you win? Are there judges like figure skating?
Jay @ Apr 8th 2008 8:23PM
I don't care what you say, its fun to watch. There are judges, even though the best performance is quite relative obviously.
catgirlshyla @ Apr 9th 2008 5:30AM
"It's really sad that anyone watches drifting."
Get Out.
sfast @ Apr 8th 2008 8:32PM
so lame. they need to pick a drivetrain