Sciaru BRZFRS (BreezeFrees)

[deadcell96]

Man, I really need to start saving up. By the way, am I the only one that downloaded the press kit from the website? Or that the Tach and speedo kind of look like the ones in the GT-R?

 

[Omnis]

How high do you think that engine can rev? Are we going to see a mystical racing version that goes up to 11krpm?

 

[Eric.]

Officially the "max engine speed" is "7400rpm", but that's the very start of redline. So I think it should run a little further.

 

[boomee]

Interesting discussion about the cars many forms.

http://youtu.be/yZUM-h02MwY

 

[CodeRedR51]

^^^ Try again.

 

[Omnis]

No, I mean like... how high can a square boxer 4 rev before it blows apart?

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> ...
^ Is it me or this vid was made by Polyphony Digital? I saw many hints of SSR5 in here!

-> By far heres what I rate on these three cars:

#1 Subaru BRZ - Boxer sound, boxer engine, notchy shifter, & WRX-like taillights. This is more of a Subaru than a Toyota in everyway not just the badge, so this is my pick.

#2 Toyota 86/GT 86 - A Toyota on which it isn't a Toyota in every freaking way. Too bad NA won't get one (see below).

#3 Scion FR-S - Aside from its clean looks. Its pretty much a de-contented version of the 86/GT 86. If, and only if the price is right (USD$20K-25K) this car might move its place to 2nd.

 

[eSZee]

interesting discussion about the car

http://youtu.be/yZUM-h02MwY

Interesting indeed.
The july/august dates revealed last week or this week sounded strange to me because I think we were told the car would go on sale in the spring of 2012. Now, is it spring in japan or is it spring for the subaru like he video mentioned...

But the key facets of an 1180kg kerb weight, rear-wheel drive, ESP that can be fully turned off, quick steering and a limited-slip differential make it a riot in the twisty stuff. Also, the tyres are the same 17in low-resistance versions as can be found on a Prius, all the better to make sure their grip can be overcome if the mood takes you.

Interesting. The prius tires squeal pretty easily so I'm not sure what they are trying to do here. Make the car fun by means of avoiding curbs and trees at every turn?

 

[CodeRedR51]

Interesting. The prius tires squeal pretty easily so I'm not sure what they are trying to do here. Make the car fun by means of avoiding curbs and trees at every turn?

Make things cheaper by using something they already have?

Most of the buyers for these things will either replace the factory wheels and tires, or use it as a daily with no modifications for which those tires are great for.

 

[SpartanG]

Is it just me, or might this car be the enthusiast's last hoorah? I look at the affordable sports cars of the semi-recent past and see the 240sx, miata, supra, etc. After the 90s, sport coupes went out of style and the era of the appliance car came into play. racers, drifters, and car guys in general are all flocking back to those older ones in order to find the car they really like. I feel that the 86 will become one of those cars 10 or 20 years down the road. In 2030, people will look back fondly upon the FT86 just like we look back now on those 90s japanese cars. All I can say is, I hope these cars will be kept in better condition.

Unless this car sells like mad and other companies try to follow, this might be the last enthusiast-aimed, affordable lightweight RWD car we ever see. Ever tightening environmental and safety restrictions and anti-fun laws are encroaching on the sport, hobby, and lifestyle we cherish with pride. My advice: buy up if you've got the bank.

/sentimental

 

[Keef]

...affordable sports cars...supra

The what? I get your point but a Supra is the last thing that comes to mind when I think of affordable 90s sports cars.

Ever tightening environmental restrictions

A trend of making cars lighter is already beginning to develop. Safety and environmental concerns are pushing and pulling each other in two different directions. Safety favors large cars with heavy structures and lots of safety equipment. Emissions and fuel mileage favor small cars with lightweight frames and little in the way of luxury frills.

You can only make a car so safe until you realize that the problem lies with the person driving it, not how safe the car is. People do stupid things, that's a fact, and they'll still do it no matter how many airbags they have (if anything, that's an incentive to drive lousily).

But one thing people can't do with get 40 mpg in a 5000 pound tub of lard. It just doesn't work like that. And that's why I feel that light weight structures and efficient designs will work in our favor. Cars can only get so big and daft until they stop becoming more efficient. They simply have to get smaller and lighter.

 

[eSZee]

Make things cheaper by using something they already have?

Most of the buyers for these things will either replace the factory wheels and tires, or use it as a daily with no modifications for which those tires are great for.

They have 120,000 prius tires stashed away? That isn't how toyota handles parts.
When the tsunami hit, Toyota suffered the most because they only had x days worth of parts on site at the factories.
If they have a deal with Toyo for the prius tires, I'm sure they could've gotten a deal on other tires or with someone else.

But I agree, this car is all about keeping the costs down.

 

[SpartanG]

Yeah, the supra was not a good example i was just thinking of the prolific 90's cars that came to mind.

the problem lies with the person driving it

and buying it. People will continue to buy bigger and heavier cars. So automakers will build them. Except for Mazda, the trend in the auto industry is still more is better. Cars have hard drives with more space than some people's home computers... Until trends like this are reversed, it'll be the dog chasing his own tail. The drivetrains get more efficient, but the cars get heavier and more complicated, now a more efficient drivetrain is developed, but now the car is heavier, on and on.


I think we're arguing two different points here but I can see what you're saying.

 

[Keef]

They have 120,000 prius tires stashed away? That isn't how toyota handles parts.

It's called, when you make an order for a million tires you don't get them all tomorrow and stuff them in a shed. They already have a contract with the company for x amount of tires. They simply add more to the order, which further reduces the unit cost, which was already very low because the original order was enormous.

If they have a deal with Toyo for the prius tires, I'm sure they could've gotten a deal on other tires or with someone else.

Apparently they didn't need to. Apparently you have to pay a fee when you terminate a contract before it is finalized, and apparently if you started fresh with a different supplier you would not receive the same cost-per-unit benefits as if you stuck with your long-term supplier with whom you've already completed many very large orders.

 

[eSZee]

WHo's saying terminate anything? They have contracts with other manufacturers. They could've easily asked bridgestone for extra tires in this size or that size.
But just seeing that these tires are only available through toyota and a couple online retailers at ~$250 a pop, I see why they picked them.
Yeah, I guess for those changing out the wheels as soon as they buy the car, it's not really a problem.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> ...

Is it just me, or might this car be the enthusiast's last hoorah? I look at the affordable sports cars of the semi-recent past and see the 240sx, miata, correction: MR-2 or Celica, etc. After the 90s, sport coupes went out of style and the era of the appliance car came into play. racers, drifters, and car guys in general are all flocking back to those older ones in order to find the car they really like. I feel that the 86 will become one of those cars 10 or 20 years down the road. In 2030, people will look back fondly upon the FT86 just like we look back now on those 90s japanese cars. All I can say is, I hope these cars will be kept in better condition.

-> As of the moment, this only applies in the JDM market. And please (to some people), the Z isn't an affordable JDM sports car nor does my beloved S2000. Only the MX-5 Miata is the lone and only survivor. Since the demise of its last affordable RWD sportscars the S15 Silvia and its equally capable FWD stablemates such as the Civic/Intergra Type-R's. There wasn't anything else. The BreezeFrees86 will keep the MX-5 a company, but I wouldn't call it as a last hurrah...

-> I noticed this as I go through in my life:

JDM Sports Car Fleet in 1996
- Acura/Honda NSX
- Nissan Skyline GT-S/GT-R
- Nissan Silvia S14
- Toyota Supra RZ/Turbo
- Mazda RX-7
- Mitsubishi GTO/3000GT VR-4
- Integra Type-R
- Civic Type-R
- Celica GT-Four
- Nissan 300ZX
- Suzuki Cappucchino
- Mazda AZ-1
- Honda Beat
- Subaru Impreza WRX/STi GC
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III/IV
- Subaru SVX
- Mitsubishi FTO
- Toyota MR-2
- Tommy Kaira ZZ
- Toyota Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno AE111 (NOT AE86)
- Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX*
- Mazda Roadster/MX-5/Miata

JDM Sports Car Fleet in 2006
- Honda S2000
- Nissan 350Z
- Civic Type-R
- Integra Type-R
- Toyota MR-S/MR2 Spyder
- ASL Gariya
- Lancer Evo IX
- Impreza WRX STi GD
- Mazda RX-8
- Mazda Roadster/MX-5/Miata

JDM Sports Car Fleet in 2012
- Mazda Roadster/MX-5/Miata
- Nissan GT-R
- Lancer Evo X
- Lexus LFA
- Lexus IS F
- Impreza WRX STI GE
- Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86/GT 86/Scion FR-S

^ Wow, I didn't realize that the JDM sports car industry is an endangered species! I would think after the economic downturn in Asia in the late '90s, the bean-counters took an overall aggression towards the companies (even designing them! Case logic: Honda & Subieyota).

Unless this car sells like mad and other companies try to follow, this might be the last enthusiast-aimed, affordable lightweight RWD car we ever see. Ever tightening environmental and safety restrictions and anti-fun laws are encroaching on the sport, hobby, and lifestyle we cherish with pride. My advice: buy up if you've got the bank.

/sentimental

^ As what I've said earlier, this only applies in JDM-land. Other countries like Korea are on full offensive on building fun cars (GenCoupe & Kia GT), US and Germany aren't giving up just yet. But if these JDM sports cars become extinct and/or the next NSX will be an abomination (likely will be). Other countries will cater our 'needs'. Or you can be just like me, buy recent-to-old sports cars.

 

[Eric.]

Interesting. The prius tires squeal pretty easily so I'm not sure what they are trying to do here. Make the car fun by means of avoiding curbs and trees at every turn?

Not so sure it has Prius tires anymore. The "first drive" reviews were tested on them because they weren't finished tuning the damping and spring rates most likely.

Our car was fitted with 215/45 R17 Michelin Green X tyres all round – aka Toyota Prius tyres.

According to Inside Line...

The 166.7 inch long FR-S rolls on 17s with the same crap inexpensive all season tires as the 86 Michelin Primacy HP summer tires (Sorry, had my Primacy tires confused. There are other Primacy tires -- MXV4, MXM4-- which are all seasons.)

WHo's saying terminate anything? They have contracts with other manufacturers. They could've easily asked bridgestone for extra tires in this size or that size.
But just seeing that these tires are only available through toyota and a couple online retailers at ~$250 a pop, I see why they picked them.
Yeah, I guess for those changing out the wheels as soon as they buy the car, it's not really a problem.

OEM tires are always expensive. Civic's 215/45R17 Michelin MXH4s were around $212 from Tire Rack a few years ago. The $500 optional summer tires were $174 in comparison.

 

[nobuffalo]

Something I noticed...Where do I rest my arm when I'm not countersteering and stuffs? On top of my beverages (which are stored 120 degrees to my right?!)?

It looks to me as if they have a handle so they can be pulled out and the empty space left as a general storage box.

Someone may have already mentioned this but that's kind of how the original ae86 was, if it wasn't broken or missing.

My brother and cousin are talking about getting one. A lot of people are actually, if it drives good I'd want one.

 

[BRZ please]

Subie all the way

 

[niky]

I wouldn't mind low-grip tires.

When Mazda facelifted the MX-5 and fixed some of the handling problems of the previous model (too much body roll for some people, soft-turn-in), they changed the tires for our local model from Michelin Pilot Precedas to grippier Bridgestone Potenza RE050s.

I won't complain about the better turn-in or the higher grip levels, but it was twitchier in a slide and not quite as smooth on recovery. For those of us going out to have a good time but not necessarily the best lap time, tires that are not the absolute grippiest are a good thing.

(And yes, I've drifted a Prius around a roundabout, in case anyone's forgotten... )

 

[Eric.]

Anything not in the same class as Star Specs, RS3s, etc will be fine I'm sure. Especially 215s. Kinda hate that it does come with some (probably crappy) summer tires because it'll need a set of snow tires pretty quickly instead of making it by at least the first winter on the stock rubber.

 

[eSZee]

Not so sure it has Prius tires anymore. The "first drive" reviews were tested on them because they weren't finished tuning the damping and spring rates most likely.

You're right, Autocar is wrong. It was fairly recent, 10/28, so they must've assumed those were the final spec tires.
The official FRS site even shows michelins.

 

[Cale]

The 18's com on Pilot Super Sports.

 

[Omnis]

I wouldn't mind low-grip tires.

When Mazda facelifted the MX-5 and fixed some of the handling problems of the previous model (too much body roll for some people, soft-turn-in), they changed the tires for our local model from Michelin Pilot Precedas to grippier Bridgestone Potenza RE050s.

I won't complain about the better turn-in or the higher grip levels, but it was twitchier in a slide and not quite as smooth on recovery. For those of us going out to have a good time but not necessarily the best lap time, tires that are not the absolute grippiest are a good thing.

(And yes, I've drifted a Prius around a roundabout, in case anyone's forgotten... )

But tires that are too progressive will progress you right into the wall.

 

[boomee]

Vanishing boy what about the 370Z? That should probably be in the 2012 JDM cars also. I am kinda curious how the BRZ/FR-S stacks up to the 370 in terms of handling. I Realize the Z has way more power( and weight) but I would love to know how the BRZ would stack up in terms of handling characteristics.

 

[YSSMAN]

​

I love how normal the car looks. I'd agree with what someone else pointed out. I liked the BRZ better because it lacked the awkward fog lamps, but the plastic bumper didn't really do it any favors. Losing both makes the FR-S look substantially better. Fantastic.

I'd bet they let this one out the door for $22,995. Crank that BRZ up to $25,995 and it seems slightly more reasonable if its coming with the fancy gizmos and do-dads.

 

[Eric.]

The 18's com on Pilot Super Sports.

Where did these come from?

 

[squirlybmx]

I'm definitely thinking about buying an FR-S or BRZ (whichever hits the states first) but there's one HUGE deciding factor. Equal or unequal length headers. From the video of the nurb mule car, it sound like unequal but there's so much tire squeeling that he stock exhaust can only be heard for about 2 seconds out of the 1:30 video. It's been said the BRZ is coming early 2012 and the FR-S is coming mid to late 2012 which is a crazy move on Scion's part expecting to be able to sell a car months after the favored brand releases their version. If Subie charges some crazy premium just to have some stars glued on the hood and trunk and for it to be painted World Rally Blue, there will definitely be a de-baged FR-S in my driveway come next year.

 

[RocZX]

Where did these come from?

Those were on the Toyota 86 at Tokyo auto show

 

[CodeRedR51]

It's been said the BRZ is coming early 2012 and the FR-S is coming mid to late 2012 which is a crazy move on Scion's part expecting to be able to sell a car months after the favored brand releases their version.

Source? I was pretty sure all of them are coming out in the spring.