OFFICIAL RELEASE:
2013 Scion FR-S Brings the SPORT Back to the CAR
- Compact rear-wheel drive sports car makes world debut
- Low center of gravity and lightweight design achieves a “Pure Balance”
- World’s first boxer engine to utilize Toyota’s D4-S direct and port injection system
Los Angeles – November 30, 2011 – Scion tonight unveiled its 2013 FR-S
compact rear- wheel drive sports car to a crowd of eager car
enthusiasts. The high-performance coupe is the fifth model to join the
Scion family and will go on sale in the spring of 2012.
The FR-S, which stands for Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport; is
Scion’s definition of an authentic rear-wheel-drive sports car with
exceptionally balanced performance and handling, compelling style,
flexible utility and surprising MPG.
“Serving as a laboratory for Toyota, 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 no doubt serve as the halo car, expanding Scion into a
new dimension of driving performance.”
The FR-S is a true “scion,” born into a lengthy history of Toyota
performance cars and motorsports. The sports car 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.
Inspired by the AE86, the FR-S is designed around the core goal of
achieving, “Pure Balance.” The balance begins with the strategic use of
the world’s only flat boxer engine in a front-engine, rear-wheel drive
configuration. The engine’s compact size and flat shape allow it to be
mounted mid-ship and extremely low, giving the car a dynamically
favorable front-to-rear weight ratio of 53:47 and a low center of
gravity comparable to some exotic supercars.
The FR-S’s 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine is the
result of a joint development between Toyota and Subaru. The partnership
begins by combining Subaru’s newly developed horizontally opposed
engine and Toyota’s cutting edge D-4S injection system that incorporates
both direct and port injection. The D-4S system, partnered with a high
12.5:1 compression ratio, results in an impressive 200 horsepower and
151 pound-feet of torque.
“We all know that it’s not hard to make horsepower and torque, but it is
hard to do all that and still achieve impressive fuel economy,” Hollis
said. “The FR-S accomplishes all three.”
The flat-four mates with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed
automatic transmission. The manual offers quick, precise shifts with a
short-throw; while the automatic transmission features aggressive up
shifts and sporty rev-matched down shifts that are initiated by
steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Power is transferred to the
pavement via a limited- slip differential.
The idea of “Pure Balance” is further realized by the FR-S’s lightweight
design and compact size. The combination allows the car to be quick and
nimble into and out of corners, with dynamic maneuverability and
confident handling. The coupe’s weight is kept to a minimum by utilizing
an aluminum hood, a solid roof, and by featuring a trunk design instead
of a hatchback.
The FR-S’s low weight is matched with a dynamically tuned suspension
setup consisting of MacPherson struts up front and a double wishbone
system in the rear. Lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels and ventilated disc
brakes are on all four corners.
The fierce exterior of the FR-S is a solid reflection of its inner
power. The profile, inspired by the Toyota 2000GT, reveals a hood and
roof-line that is remarkably sleek and low, giving it an aerodynamic
shape that channels air cleanly over to the top. The low stance
continues to exaggerate the coupe’s menacing face, which is made up of
sharp lines, a wide mouth and angular headlights. The aggressive front
fenders protrude upward and boast the iconic ‘86’ piston emblem, which
highlights the car’s AE86 heritage as well as its unique new boxer
engine. The rear fascia sits low and wide, with aerodynamic lower
treatments that surround the sporty dual exhaust system. LEDs illuminate
the edgy taillights, while center-mounted backup lights finish the
muscular design.
The FR-S’s interior features a 2+2 seating configuration that is
designed with both form and function in mind. The front seats are
mounted extremely low and are comfortable yet assertive, while the rear
seat folds down flat, creating flexible space. The large center-mounted
tachometer is the focus of the three-gauge cluster, keeping the driver
informed of the engine’s vitals. Speed is monitored by both digital and
analog gauges.
^^^^ DAT ASS!!!!!
Toyota has won me over again