2011 NYIAS: New Scion FR-S Concept

The most hotly anticipated model of the New York Auto Show, Scion’s version of the Toyota FT-86 sports coupe concept, finally made its world premiere today. The study is named FR-S, which stands for ‘Front-Engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport’, though we prefer the definition given by Jack Hollis, Scion vice president, during the New York Show presentation.
“FR-S stands for Front-engine… Rear-wheel drive… Sport. Pretty simple. I personally believe it should stand for Friggin’ Really Sweet… but the legal department at Toyota was NOT feeling the same way,” said Hollis.
The first thing most readers will notice about the FR-S is the refined design compared to the latest concept version of the Toyota FT-86, shown in Geneva this past March. Though it’s hard to pinpoint all the changes without having the cars side by side, the photos reveal a tweaked front end with revamped headlamps and a different bumper design without the aftermarket like add-on LED strips.
Looking at the coupe’s profile, we see beefier and more heavily sculptured front and rear fenders plus new side sills and mirrors, and larger alloy wheels with a different design. In addition, the FT-86 II’s gaudy fender air vents have been removed.
Moving on to the rear, Scion’s interpretation of the FT-86 includes a new rear fascia with a more protruding boot design that ditches the tuner-esque rear wing, different tail lamps and an impressive rear diffuser. Other changes include the roof that projects into the rear windshield.
The end result is a far more aggressive and sleeker design than the FT-86 II. Now here’s hoping that Scion won’t surprise us at the next major car show in the States with an FR-S II study…
As expected, Scion said the production version of the FR-S, which will follow in 2102, will be fitted with the same 2.0-liter boxer engine sourced from Subaru as the Toyota model. However, the company revealed that the flat four engine will 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 – or at least that’s what the company claims.

GALLERY