2011 New York Auto Show: Scion FR-S Concept Is STILL a Concept

Why can't they release this car tomorrow?? All they have to do is put smaller discs on and turbo it!

Sill no public interior shots. Have you guys seen the production interior? If so can you at least tell us if it looks good, okay, average or down right ugly?

Please don't sell it as a scion! we need to bring back the Supra, Celica, Mr2 spirit so others can have respect for the Toyota brand. I'm begging you..just sale it as the S350GT and low quants and people will want them!!! please!! pretty please!!!

I'm still a little nervous about the power output; hopefully we'll see something in the 200-ish neighborhood. Fingers crossed.

So get back to me when it goes on sale. There's no reason it should be taking this long.

I too think it should be sold as a Toyota. A small, lightweight, nimble, rear drive coupe is exactly what that brand needs to shake off the image of maker of beige cars for people who can't find the brake pedal.

Toyota desperately needs a vehicle for enthusiasts. Scion does not. It is time for the Scion experiment to end.
Product, Product, Product. This is the only way for Toyota to appeal to younger buyers. Requiring dealers to differentiate space for Scion, buy signage for Scion, differentiate sales training and sales approach for Scion is a black hole for resources that are needed for the core brand Toyota.

Toyota or Scion, I don't really care, just make sure this car doesn't disappoint in the production form.

Also, 250 hp please, so the haters can shut up.

Haters will always find something Louis.

For instance, that is a Scion, instead of a Toyota, LOL

See, its easy.

Really liking this. Even if it has "only" 200bhp it should be fun.

is anyone keeping track, how many concept cars has this thing had? I'm thinking 3 just on the toyota side of things, subaru has a couple as well. You can only create suspense for so long before people don't care anymore.

this is the best looking one by *far*

This car is quickly becoming the "duke nukem" of the car industry. But would still love to see it in production form!

is it just me or does the rear looks lightly different?

Uh-oh, so hopefully it does not have the same boring engine as the new impreza.

A 2.0 turbo in a car that size with RWD (pushing around 250 HP) would be a scream.

Too bad about it being a scion.

@blueguydotcom:
The new Impreza doesn't have direct injection, so the FR-S will definitely make more power.

And I don't get the "Too bad about it being a scion." comment.
The car is what it is. What difference does it make what badge is stuck to it?

Sorry folks, it's going to be < 200hp. Look at the graphic: "Light weight, great balance, managed power". You can't have a lot of power combined with light weight and still have great balance. Plus, when was the last time you heard the word "managed" in conjunction with high output?

But I contend that <200hp is not a bad thing if they can make good on the "light weight" claim. Let's say "light weight" translates to 2750lbs. A GTI is 15.1lbs/hp. A Civic Si 15lbs/hp. A Mini Cooper S 14.75lbs/hp Mazdaspeed3 12.5lbs/hp. If we shoot for a target power:weight ratio of 14, that'd give 195hp.

@ elgac,

What blueguydotcom really means is that "too bad that it's not a BMW"...

wow, it looks great! Toyota got this one right.
I don't see any AE86 or 2000gt but get that they want to pull in the Initial D fans.

Styling-wise, it looks like a successor to the Celica and Supra.

I can see the resemblance at the rear to the Lexus concept (w/ giant black grille).
Although more exaggerated, I think it looks better on the FRS.

That "Managed Power" is the scariest phrase I have seen associated with this car. That is exacerbated by the figures on the new 2.0 Subaru motor. 148hp...

Please please please don't be another CR-Z like disappointment....

Under 200hp despite the "light weight", it would be (let's face it) a disappointment. There are plenty of competitors out there with 200hp or more (forgive me but I'm not listing them you all know which cars I'm speaking about) priced around $25,000. Plus let's see the brakes and rims they'll put on and the back with the mufflers doesn't look like production to me for Scion. I hope they won't change the front or rear suspension system.
Unfortunately there is plenty of room for a big overall disappointment, especially when sold under Scion brand.
I'm with all you guys thinking this should be a Toyota model but at the same time they don't want to aim directly at the Subaru coupe. But Subaru should come up with a turbo version of the 2.0L boxer (because of the gas mileage the 2.5L should retire) pulling 250hp or more.
But most of all they need stop with the concepts, we're sick of it. We want facts, numbers and a date!

Meanwhile, in the real world, you can buy a genesis coupe or a ford mustang today.

@indy720

The fact that it isn't a hybrid and is RWD means it won't be anywhere even remotely as disappointing to drive as a CR-Z, you can rest assured of that.

The styling on this concept is the best so far, but geez, get the balls rolling here already. The waiting game blows. We've already done this with the Camaro, the Audi R4, etc. Just give us the darn car already. One concept before the production car, that's all that's needed, sheesh!

To the people whining about never released product: You have no idea what you are talking about.

Designing and preparing an entire automobile for production, especially when it involves a new platform, is unbelievably complicated. Oh, and you wanted it to work when you get it, right? That involves tremendous amounts of testing.

The real issue is that the internet has changed your access to information and your expectations. That doesn't mean it speeds up development time. You people whined about the Volt, the Camaro, the Tesla, and every other car that has had multiple concepts. In all cases, the issue is the same: developing a car does not happen overnight.

There are two ways to handle publicity during development:

1. Develop the car for 3-5 years in secret, then release it fully baked.

2. Give the public some early prototypes to look at and drool over. That doesn't change the 3-5 year timeframe, it just changes the publicity in the meantime.

I would say the real car enthusiasts prefer the second option, because it means getting a chance to see a part of the development cycle, and even weigh in before something like the Crosstour gets into full production.

So please, grow up a bit; get used to the fact that automobiles don't magically appear in the time it takes for the the record labels to invent your new favorite teen pop star.

pc123456: genesis and mustang are both far heavier cars, despite being FR. however, you are right... there are other options available RIGHT NOW... a Miata or S2000 for example.

and to people complaining about toyota taking forever to release it... its toyota, that is what they do. the Supra TT didn't pop out from nowhere... they took their time to study their competition and improve upon it before bringing it out and making sure it dominates that market. i have a 300ZX TT, which is a great car in its own right and a main rival of the Supra TT, but I have to admit the Supra is an amazing machine. heck, my life would be a lot easier had I gotten one instead... its THAT good, but unfortunately you can't choose who you love.

@downtothemetal

"Under 200hp despite the "light weight", it would be (let's face it) a disappointment."

Go drive a 190hp "light weight" Ariel Atom and then get back to me. I have a feeling you'll change your tune about disappointment :-)

Expect 2800 lbs, 200HP with around 200 lb ft of torque
0-60 in the low 6's
With handling around .93-.95
Think 1991 MR2 Turbo

When the Turbo is unleashed, expect times around 5 seconds
BD

@7driver: Thanks dude. That's always my peeve about these forums. People talk about HP without any reference of actual performance. What about 250hp? What's that magical number all about? I do agree with you that hp and torque in connection with the right weight will give an agile or dull car.
People also want lighter vehicles and throw the mytical under 3000 lb mark as the bench mark... I'm sure manufacturers want lighter vehicles as well, but today's safety and comfort standards and expectations keep making vehicles heavier and heavier... comes with the territory.

My first message to Toyota, in case anyone there reads these forum posts--you've nailed it. Each version of the FT-86 released to the public has gotten better and better looking. This is the best yet. Is it a near copy of a Maserati Gran Turismo? Yes. But that is OK.

My second message to Toyota, when striving to make a lightweight performance car, please do not forget that many of us in US are taller than 6 ft. I love the Honda S2000, but it is just too cramped for my 6'2" frame. Same goes for the Miata. I would rather you sacrifice a little on weight, bump up the power, and make the car big enough that its comfortable for real sized people.

Like Homer Simpson said when watching a commercial of the BBQ grill that could cook meet in 60 seconds, "But I'm hungry now!!!" (Apologies if I did not get this quote exactly right).

@ 7driver
They haven't defined what they called light weight yet so I'm kind of skeptical about it.
Are they going to do some MR or R-spec shading? No sound system, no sunroof, basic A/C...
Why not roll down windows? ;-)
Or more seriously are they going to use light weight materials and components? But this increases the cost and to keep the sticker price under $25,000... tough deal.
But I'd give up sound system, sunroof, power windows, noise insolation, airbags, anything unnecessary... to get it as light as possible but who else would drive a car like this everyday?
Or maybe they could have a version for the purists and another one for the fancies to satisfy everybody.
I can't wait to get more details at the Tokyo auto show, maybe the full specs? Who knows.

Toyota is about to piss away a great opportunity. They should be targeting Mustang GT levels of acceleration at the Mustang GT price. Knowing Toyota, it will push that price range anyway without the performance to match. Remember when they said the FJ Cruiser was going to start under $20K? This thing needs to target 9.5-10 lbs per horsepower. Since there is no way in hell this thing ends up in production carrying anything less than 2,900 lbs, I'd say a version of the IS 350's six would do about right. Hell, badge it as a Lexus and charge $40k - anything except what they are planning. If it doesn't stand up to a 370Z, what would be the point?

So what is the fuss about it being a Scion. It's the same different. Some of us get caught into the branding hype. I can't even believe that people are complaining that they drive a Scion. What's the big deal. Look Scion is not the Scion that was introduce years ago. Growth anyone? Look at Hyundai and Kia. I rest my case. As long as the car is great looking, drives great, handles and performed the way you want it to then branding doesn't really matter. Right? I tell you what, from my own experience and you can call me crazy, but I get more compliment driving my 05 Tiburon SE then when I was cruising around in my 3 Series, S500 and Lexus. Seriously, I cross shop all type of cars. That's what make me a car enthusiast. I appreciate the design and looks of a car, not the BRANDing! Be a leader in style not a follower and don't get trapped in their marketing (image) scheme. Anyways... Getting back to the subject. I really like this third concept one. It has the right profile, sexy lines, more muscular and it's something that import cars alway missed on when on the drawing board when compared to domestic muscle cars. It's look very intimidating to me at least. Trust me, if you have one slammed to the ground with a clean look, tinted, nice rims and breaks. The only brand they're going to say is.. that's 'Sick' brand dude...:) Toyota.... if you can keep this look then you got a sale.....

I don't care if this is Scion or whatever. This car is plain beautiful. Forget Ferrari or Porsche.

What I have seen is totally different from what I have heard.
I have heard that this car will make production.
What I have seen is its constant tweaks and editing of the car.
I have heard that toyota is introducing a model similar to it!
But where is toyotas model????
I am exited but I wonder if I am going to be able to identify them by a glance,or am I going to have to read those badges????

What I have seen is totally different from what I have heard.
I have heard that this car will make production.
What I have seen is its constant tweaks and editing of the car.
I have heard that toyota is introducing a model similar to it!
But where is toyotas model????
I am exited but I wonder if I am going to be able to identify them by a glance,or am I going to have to read those badges????