Autoblog

Scion FR-S Convertible (in Toyota GT86 form) spied in South Africa

Seyth Miersma — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Performance, Scion, Subaru, Toyota

Though the eventual existence of a convertible version of the Toyota GT86 (and its Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ versions for America) is a no-brainer, we've yet to get a glimpse of the real-deal car until now.

Spotted in Cape Town, South Africa, of all places, this completely undisguised GT86 convertible seems to be in a remarkably advanced state of development. The image seen here was obviously sniped from quite a distance and without the aid of a powerful lens, but we can still make out a production-ready looking piece of rear bodywork for the convertible top to hide away in, as well as a functioning trunk lid. It's hard to make out with any certainty, based on this evidence, but there does seem to be space retained behind the front seats for two, small rear chairs.

With the first car spotted, we'd expect to seem some more and better images of it flow through in the near future, and if not, Toyota has already confirmed a concept version for next month's Geneva Motor Show, dubbed FT-86 Open, so stay tuned. For now, click through to the FT86Club.com forum to have a slightly closer look at the images.

Scion FR-S Convertible (in Toyota GT86 form) spied in South Africa originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota GT86 convertible could debut in March

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Scion, Toyota

The dates are lining up, now we wait to see how the badges align. Just before the Toyota GT 86/Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ line-up was introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show last year, there was a report that Subaru was considering a convertible while Toyota wouldn't even comment on it. That got swapped around when earlier this year the chief engineer on Toyota's side said a convertible was coming, and then a Scion FR-S droptop was confirmed for early 2014.

Autocar now reports that the Toyota GT 86 convertible will make its first appearance at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in March. In a car whose specs like weight, packaging, horsepower and center of gravity were all tightly controlled to get the most from the least, the changes necessitated by chopping the roof could make this a very different car. It's said to employ a fabric roof to keep a "small" weight gain check, and the suspension will be softened to work more harmoniously with the decreased body stiffness. And somewhere in all that the back seat and trunk space will need to take a hit.

In other news, Autocar says the hi-po GT 86 with some kind of capacitor system instead of batteries is being worked on for 2015.

Toyota GT86 convertible could debut in March originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Nov 2012 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scion FR-S convertible coming by early 2014

Noah Joseph — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Scion, Toyota

With an epic chassis and the lowest center of gravity in the business, there's plenty for enthusiast to love about the Scion FR-S. Except, that is, for those who prefer to take their nimble, affordable sports cars with the roof down. Their choices are rather limited in this price category to the Mazda MX-5 and Ford Mustang, but if the latest reports prove accurate, the FR-S - which is, of course, virtually identical to the Subaru BRZ and sold overseas as the Toyota GT 86 - is preparing to throw its hat in the ring, as well.

Long rumored, a convertible version of the jointly-developed "Toyobaru" coupe could stand to boost sales figures and help the bean-counters justify the expenditure on the new platform. However while the speedster concept recently showcased at Long Beach lost its rear seats (along with most of its windshield), Car and Driver predicts that the FR-S convertible will keep the auxiliary pair in the back - though the addition of a folding roof mechanism would likely mean that would come at the expense of most of the trunk room.

We're told to expect the FR-S convertible to arrive sometime late in 2013 or early in 2014, with a price tag that would tack a few grand onto the coupe's $25,000 MSRP. Look for the same 2.0-liter, 200-horsepower boxer four to carry over with a choice of six-speed transmissions in either manual or automatic configurations. Beyond that, Toyota may be considering basing a larger four-door sedan and coupe off the new platform, which could stand to make the money men back at headquarters - to say nothing of the enthusiasts - even more happy.

Scion FR-S convertible coming by early 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 May 2012 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota lead developer confirms droptop FT-86

Jeff Sabatini — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Japan, Scion, Toyota

Around the Autoblog virtual office, the Toyota GT-86 is among the most eagerly awaited new models this year. So when we spotted a report in AutoBild that Tetsuya Tada, the chief engineer of the car, has confirmed that a convertible is coming, we got excited.

Of course, we're tempering our excitement with the knowledge that the 2013 Scion FR-S we're getting here in North America isn't the Toyota version. It may be the same actual car save for the brightwork, but when it comes to market positioning and all that stuff, Scion has differing objectives than the parent brand.

While we have heard rumors of a convertible before, they came in the context of the third GT-86 offspring, the Subaru BRZ. If a convertible version of the car ever does see the light of day here in the States, though, we're certainly not going to quibble over its badges.

Toyota lead developer confirms droptop FT-86 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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