SCION FR-S CONCEPT SPORTS COUPE

      Not any more.  Take a look at the new Scion rear wheel drive FR-S Concept sports coupe, which recently bowed at the 2011 New York International Auto Show. The concept, which sets out to stimulate the souls of true driving enthusiasts, will be at the Scion display through May 1. The FR-S Concept will inspire a new model coming to the Scion brand next year.

Cool, huh? So the next time you’re tempted to call Toyota too boring, remember this one.  And shut up.

Actually, this is a car that we have every reason to believe will go into production, and it’s the result of a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru, which is slated to get its own completely different version of this car. We think it makes utterly good to introduce it as  a Scion because it’s a good fit with that brand’s break the envelope history with design.  And with Scion sales lagging, it makes sense to fortify the lineup with something new.

The FR-S Concept, which stands for Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport; is Scion’s definition of an authentic rear-wheel-drive sports car with “compelling style, exceptionally balanced performance and handling, flexible utility and surprising MPG,” as Toyota puts it.

“Scion is always experimenting with new things,” said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. “The brand is iconic with the xB, adrenalized by the tC, and groundbreaking with the iQ. The FR-S will expand the brand into yet another new dimension that I know it is truly destined for.”

The FR-S is a true “scion,” born into a lengthy history of Toyota performance cars and motorsports. The sports coupe is most inspired by the AE86 generation of the Corolla, better known as the Hachi-Roku, meaning “8-6” in Japanese. The front-engine, rear-wheel drive coupe was lightweight and well balanced, making it a solid choice for driving enthusiasts,” Toyota says.

Inspired by the AE86, the FR-S is built around the core goal of achieving “pure balance,” which begins with the strategic placement of a flat 2.0-liter boxer engine in a front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration. The engine’s compact size and shape allows the FR-S’ powertrain to be mounted lower and further back towards the rear, giving the car a lower center of gravity and a dynamically favorable front-to-rear weight ratio.

The FR-S’ naturally-aspirated engine is innovative, being the first boxer to incorporate Toyota’s D4-S injection system, which utilizes both direct and port injection, resulting in increased horsepower and torque throughout the entire powerband, without sacrificing MPG.

The flat-four can mate with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The manual offers quick and precise shifts with a short-throw, while the automatic transmission features aggressive, sporty shifts that are initiated by steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Power is distributed effectively via a limited-slip differential.

“The idea of “pure balance” is further realized by the FR-S’ lightweight design and short wheelbase. The combination allows the car to be quick and nimble into and out of any corner, with dynamic maneuverability and confident stability,” Toyota says.

“Akio Toyoda has mentioned that he is going to bring the fun-to-drive spirit back to Toyota,” Hollis said. “I know that the Scion FR-S Concept is one of the ways that he plans to accomplish that.”

Toyota says that the fierce exterior of the FR-S is a good reflection of its inner power. The intimidating proportions of the concept give it a dominant stance that bleeds performance. The profile, inspired by the Toyota 2000GT, reveals a hood-line that is remarkably sleek and low, made possible by the boxer’s architecture.

A news release explains, “The low stance continues to exaggerate the FR-S’ menacing face, which is made up of sharp lines, a wide mouth and angular headlights that include bright LED clusters. The solid panel roofline is sleek, lightweight and rigid, slotted with an aerodynamic shape that channels air cleanly over to the top. The front fenders protrude upward, making space for the massive monoblock Five Axis 20×8.5-inch wheels, while the muscular rear fenders are widened to house the 20×10.5-inch wheels, emphasizing the FR-S’ staggered stance and rear-wheel-drive setup. The rear fascia sits low and wide, with extensive lower treatments that surround the dual exhaust exits and contribute to excellent aerodynamics. LEDs illuminate both the edgy taillights and the bold “SCION” logo.”

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2011 SCION TC

SPECIFICATIONS  

 Model: 2011 Scion tC

Engine: 2.5-liter DOHC V4 Horsepower/Torque: 180 hp @ 6,000 rpm/173 lb.-ft. @ 4,100 rpm

 Transmission: 6-speed automatic

 Wheelbase: 106.3 in.

 Length/Width/Height: 174.0 x 70.7 x 55.7 in. Tires: P255/45R18 (temporary spare)

 Cargo volume: 34.5 cu. ft. Fuel economy: 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway/24.4 mpg test Fuel capacity: 14.5 gal.

Curb weight: 3,102 lbs.

 Sticker: $21,417 (includes $720 delivery, processing and handling fee; $1,422 in options)

   Five reasons to buy this car 1. Economical 2. Great handling 3. Practical 4. Styling 5. “Sports car with a trunk”  

 The Bottom Line: Scion has four or five unique small vehicles that are designed to be entries into the Toyota line of vehicles.

In my mind, the tC is one of the better-designed of the group, especially when compared with the iconic and boxy xB. Besides styling, the tC offers good economy and very good handling.             So I’m headed to my local Weis supermarket and I pick up one of those small grocery carts, because I didn’t have much to get. then I realized that the grocery cart was a lot like the Scion tC that I had in the parking lot.

 Both are light and nimble and both have very good handling. One uses that handling to maneuver around town and into small parking spaces; the other uses the handling to maneuver among the oversized carts being manhandled by old ladies.

          The tC is a young person’s car. Toyota developed the entire Scion lineup in order to attract younger buyers to the Toyota family, even though the demographic of buyers is somewhat higher than expected. With that in mind, the tC has several features that should appeal to younger buyers/drivers.

          One feature is an instrument panel with the fuel gauge squarely in the middle. This is important, so that the younger driver will know when to whine, “Dad, my car needs gas.” Seriously, the fuel gauge is positioned in between the speedometer and tachometer. there’s no water temperature gauge.

           The tC uses a new engine configuration, a 2.5-liter V4 that develops a healthy 180 horsepower. Since the car only weighs 3,102pounds, this is more than enough power. We had  fun accelerating away from traffic lights and getting up to the posted speed limits as quickly as we could.

          The tC is very comfortable to drive with good handling. It’s very sports car-like with a smallish engine and good handling. It has a fat steering wheel, but the audio controls are somewhat confusing in the dark. The high beams illuminate the whole area in front of the car.

           The ride is essentially quiet, but very dependent on road surface; rougher roads equal a noisier ride, meaning you have to turn the radio up loud like a teenager, smoother roads result in a quieter ride, allowing us to listen to classical music.  

 I

n my mind, the tC is the best looking Scion out there. The styling is “three-door liftback,” with a rear hatch that’s easy to open and offers great access to the cargo area. The rear seats fold flat to expend the cargo area, and in fact we kept the seat backs folded. As such, the tC becomes a sports car with a trunk.

          Rear seat access is difficult for seniors, but since the intended market is younger people, that shouldn’t pose a problem for them. The front seats are comfortable and don’t contribute to back aches on long trips. Scion claims a seating capacity of five people, but at least one of those must be very small.

           With a market of younger people, there’s a great 300 watt sound system. It features AM/FM/CD, AUX, USB with iPod connectivity. The USB/AUX input is in front of the shifter with a nice small cubby to hold iPods, etc. The small navigation system/audio display doesn’t distract the driver. The audio system is intuitive and has good power; you can feel the bass reverberation in the arm rests.

          The Scion tC is a fun car to drive and offers great handling and very good economy. It’s the type of car a two-person family can have as a primary car (until the kids come along), using it for daily commuting and for weekend jaunts to almost anywhere.

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