Scion is supposed to represent a passionate, indiscreet side of Toyota, but that has never come out in the driving dynamics of its cars, which prioritize style, feature content and out-and-out affordability. But Jack Hollis, vice president of Scion, told Inside Line that a rear-wheel-drive model is a legitimate possibility for the future.
"A rear-wheel-drive car could absolutely work," Hollis said. "If you look at Scion's entry into racing and drifting itself, the fun [associated with that], there's no question that a rear-drive car would be great for Scion.
"It would probably have to be a car that was a little over $20,000," he continued, "because I would want to make it such that it would be a car that was substantial for Scion. I think there is room for that.
"The marketplace still demands fun, high-performance vehicles. Scion has positioned itself perfectly in that world with tuners and accessorization, and it would be great to top that off with a rear-wheel-drive application. Whether we can pull it off or not remains to be seen, but it won't be for lack of trying."
We subsequently spoke to a Toyota official who advised us, "We've never said the FT-86 would be sold as a Toyota in the U.S."
hybris says:
08:03 PM, 08/ 5/10
"A rear-wheel-drive car could absolutely work," Hollis said. "If you look at Scion's entry into racing and drifting itself, the fun [associated with that], there's no question that a rear-drive car would be great for Scion."
So it takes a company getting into racing and drifting to realize what most car people have known for what 40-50+ years?
alex38 says:
12:04 AM, 08/ 6/10
Oh great, yet another rice rocket. I was feelin the concept in red but not feeling this iteration personally.
Umm, yes, Toyota - in case you haven't noticed, names such as Genesis Coupe, Ford Stang, Chevy Camaro have carved nice little niches for themselves..
scottyscooter says:
04:46 AM, 08/ 6/10
I suppose selling this car as a Scion rather than a Toyota makes a certain amount of sense. Toyota discontinued the last two sporty cars in their lineup around the same time they were launching Scion, so it’s pretty clear that their strategy is for the Scion to be the brand used to market to young buyers or people who want a flashy car like the FT-86.
ms3hothatch says:
05:04 AM, 08/ 6/10
I thought Scion was created so that youger and mostly first-time buyers would not feel like they are getting a smaller version of their grandma's Camry such as a Corolla. A $25,000+ RWD Scion does not fit that image of affordability for firs-time buyers, but it certainly isn't your grandma's Camry... at least I hope.
ns5 says:
05:55 AM, 08/ 6/10
Don't really give a damn about Scion, and wannabe street racers, but the Toyota FT-86 looks good. Never before have I been remotely interested in a Toyota (Because I like performance cars). It looks sporty. It looks fast. It's not overdone. Things that the Celica and Supra could not accomplish for me.
e10rice says:
06:09 AM, 08/ 6/10
I've heard this rumor, but really? Scion's are not suppose to be sold above $20,000 and the Ft-86 would not be in that category. The recent rumor prices the Ft-86 in three different price ranges with all of them being over $20,000. I suspect they are talking about a different RWD car that is rumored to be under the $20,000 but also be under powered, kind of a baby Ft-86. And why would Toyota place the Ft-86 under Scion which yes is a Toyota brand but hype up the Ft-86 as the Reborn AE86? All that tradition is under the Toyota name plate not Scion.
bankerdanny says:
08:14 AM, 08/ 6/10
A RWD Scion would be a nice spiritual successor to the original RWD Celica. I had a '71 GT 5-speed I bought for $100 in 1983 when I graduated from high school. It was a terrific fun little car that really wanted to be going 70mph all the time. Great brakes and the most comfortable seats of the 20+ cars I have owned.
bankerdanny says:
08:23 AM, 08/ 6/10
e10: Toyota would not be aiming at 40 year old men, who would be the only ones who have any recollection of Toyota producing a good RWD sports car (the Supra) or an inexpensive RWD sports coupe (the Celica GT from 1970-1985).
Scion is a much more fitting place for Toyota to roll out a relatively inexpensive (in today's world $20K is not that expensive) RWD performance coupe. Scion already has an active tuner market and a good following with younger buyers, unlike Toyota.
e10rice says:
09:08 AM, 08/ 6/10
Banker: Toyota's sports car back ground is well recognized and its a shame that they've strayed away from it to sell more cars. However Toyoda himself is trying to push to bring it back to its sports car past. The AE86 isnt only enjoyed by 40 year old men who got to experience it in its release dates. That car is still used today by the youth for drifting, autocross, ect. Its almost impossible to find them on the west coast in stock form and on the east coast its becoming more difficult every passing day. The history and the potential of that car is well known by many of the youths today because of the JDM market and Initial D. And i can tell you most wont be happy if it comes out as a Scion. I for one might just pass on buying it if it does. Im 26 not a 40 year old.
thorium06 says:
09:12 AM, 08/ 6/10
Does it fit this mentality?
http://speedhunters.com/archive/2010/08/05/announcement-gt-gt-team-nfs-time-attack-extreme.aspx
bankerdanny says:
09:39 AM, 08/ 6/10
The EA86 is the RWD Corolla right ? I had forgotten about that car and you really should use the model year and name to save us some Google searching.
Still, the NASCAR "Camry" aside, Toyota has no real reputation for performance cars in the US any more. I agree that is a shame. I'm a 45 year old guy myself and I remember the days of the 2nd and 4th gen Supras, the Celica GTS All-Trac Turbo, and of course the always entertaining MR-2, both the sharp creased Gen 1 and the mini-308 looking gen 2. In 1987 when I graduated from college I test drove an FX-16 GTS when looking to buy my first new car (I ended up buying a 1 year old '87 Mustang LX 5.0 5-speed).
e10rice says:
12:21 PM, 08/ 6/10
Yes it is the RWD Corolla of the 80's. And things maybe be looking up for some of us that would like to see Toyota bring back the Sports cars. They recently took back the rights to the "Supra" name and have taken the rights to "86"and "FR-S". There is also talks about a hybrid sports car. And who can forget the LFA. I dont care that its badged a Lexus, its really a toyota at heart with its high reving V10 thats based off its F1 motor. Maybe just maybe we'll get our toyota sports cars back in the future.
trd_ae86 says:
04:40 PM, 08/ 6/10
I'm totally in the avg age group to buy a scion, but i wouldn't buy one, especially with options like the FT-86. If they made the FT-86 a Scion, I would buy the Subaru branded one instead. I'm not hating on Scion, but I would never pay over 20gs for a scion.
jscion says:
05:29 PM, 08/ 6/10
I think it is a great idea to expand Scion with exciting products such as this one. It could give the increasingly bland car line a much needed breath of fresh air. I think Scion should also consider an all-wheel drive compact sedan and hatchback to take on the Subaru Impreza along with it.
roadburner says:
08:21 PM, 08/ 6/10
I'd give the car serious consideration- something I haven't given a Toyota since the 2nd Gen MR2 and the last Supra.
flwind says:
03:09 PM, 08/ 7/10
I for one don't care if it's sold as a Scion, Toyota or Subaru so long as they keep it true to the concept. Understand why people would probably prefer it as Toyota but would probably still buy it as a Scion if it looks this sharp and has some good performance.