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2013 Scion FR-S [w/video]

Michael Harley — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Scion, First Drives

Accomplished Sports Coupe Rekindles Hope For Scion

When it comes to wringing out a performance car, nothing beats track time. Public roads are crowded, chock full of regulations and policed. Race circuits are lawless expanses of curvy asphalt with just one golden rule: Keep it on the pavement.

Under invitation from Scion, we loaded into a widebody 777 for the long trek across the Pacific Ocean to Japan. Our objective was to drive the automaker's highly anticipated, all-new FR-S sports car. Upon arrival, we were pleased to learn that Scion had rented Sodegaura Forest Raceway for our full day behind the wheel.

After dozens of laps at unrestricted speed - few have been offered as much track time - we answered many of our own nagging questions. Does Scion's new rear-wheel-drive coupe deliver all that it promises? How is the power delivery from the naturally aspirated flat-four engine, and is it sufficient? Is the handling balanced and the chassis up to the task? Most importantly, why would someone choose the Scion FR-S over its clone, the Subaru BRZ?

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2013 Scion FR-S [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Scion FR-S marks Toyota's return to performance in U.S.

John Neff — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:48:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Scion, Toyota

With the introduction tonight of the 2013 Scion FR-S, the triumvirate of oh-so-similar sport coupes born of the joint venture between Toyota and Subaru is complete. The FR-S is what we Americans will get from the Scion brand, as opposed to the Toyota GT 86 that Europeans get and the Subaru-branded BRZ.

Believe it or not, but the FR-S will make Scion a five-car brand when it joins the xD, xB, tC and iQ next year. It is by far the most performance-oriented, thanks to its rear-wheel-drive architecture, relatively light weight and low center of gravity, the latter thanks to its Subaru-derived four-cylinder 2.0-liter boxer engine with Toyota's D4-S direct injection system. As with the GT 86 and BRZ, the FR-S will also produce 200 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 151 lb-ft at 6,600 rpm. Transmission choices are also the same with a six-speed manual or automatic with paddle shifters.

With its introduction, the FR-S also marks the return of some excitement to Toyota's lineup of products in the U.S., even if it is branded as a Scion. The Japanese automaker hasn't offered a true performance machine in the U.S. since the MR2 Spyder ended production in 2007. The more hardcore Supra disappeared from American soil almost a decade earlier in 1998. (UPDATE: The Lexus LFA also deserves mention, though its exclusivity and price put it out of reach for most mere mortals.)

We're busy grabbing the first live shots of the FR-S at its unveiling in LA, so go ahead and hop past the jump to read the official word from Toyota, which is the same as it was for the GT 86 and BRZ, while we keep shooting.

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2013 Scion FR-S marks Toyota's return to performance in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazing Scion FR-S Soapbox car ready to roll in Red Bull race this weekend

Dave Pankew — Fri, 20 May 2011 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Scion

Scion FR-S Soapbox Derby Car - Click above for image gallery

Remember the good old days when you and your dad spent countless hours in a dimly-lit garage to piece together an old ramshackle Soapbox Derby car for an upcoming downhill race? It probably was constructed out of ancient materials, rocked wagon wheels and had a cable brake that may or may not have stopped you before kissing something solid. Well, my friends, just like the rapture of tomorrow, those days are over.

Renowned concept car builder Five:Axis is ready to throw down with a truly outstanding build for an upcoming Soapbox Derby. Being put together by Red Bull, this ain't your regular Soapbox Derby, and this certainly ain't your average backyard special. This is a custom one-off fiberglass micro-body based on the super stylish Scion FR-S Concept unveiled at the New York Auto Show in April. Since Five:Axis is well intertwined with Toyota, Lexus and Scion, it looks like they got some design studio CAD files to design the shell and the same slinky red metallic paint that the FR-S was wearing for its first stage appearance.

Think the underpinnings are still '50s Soapbox technology? You couldn't be further off because the custom aluminum space frame features a TEIN coilover suspension and Wilwood disc brakes. But all that technology isn't going to be worth jack if there isn't a ringer behind the wheel. The Five:Axis Scion FR-S will be piloted by none other than Dai Yoshihara, the Formula D drifter who slides the Falken Tire Nissan 240SX. Dai knows a thing or two about grip as well since he also competes in the Redline Time Attack Tuner Car Championship in an imported Civic Type R.

However, at this point we're not sure what part of Dai's expertise is really applicable for the upcoming Redbull Soapbox derby race. The only race on the calendar in the U.S. this year, it's slated to be held tomorrow, May 21 at 5th & Grand in downtown LA and promises to be nothing like what you might envision a traditional Soapbox derby to be. There are sharp 90-degree turns, NASCAR-style banks and myriad of sweet jumps. Although it appears the Five:Axis build will hold together during the abuse, we are not sure that Dai's run will be crash or injury free.

Amazing Scion FR-S Soapbox car ready to roll in Red Bull race this weekend originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 May 2011 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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