Scion Racing Debuts FR-S Race Car
• FR-S race car will compete in 2012 Formula DRIFT series • 'First 86' program offers chance to be amongthe firsttoown the FR-S • FR-S will offer brand new connected audio system called BeSpoke
Detroit – January 9, 2012 – Scion today unveiled its Scion Racing/GReddy FR-S race car during a press conference at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.The FR-S will be competing in the 2012 Formula DRIFT series with veterandriver Ken Gushi behind the wheel.
The 600-horsepower FR-S race caris the resultofa collaboration between Scion Racing and GReddy, a performance-products company that has been involved with Toyota and racing for over twenty years.
The race car is inspired by the 2013ScionFR-S,a compact rear-wheel-drive sports car that will go on sale in the spring of 2012. The high-performance coupe is the fifth model to join the Scion family.
“First 86” Program In response to a large volume of FR-S hand-raisers, Scion also announced that it will launch a special program called “First 86.” The program will give 86 lucky people the opportunity tobe amongthe firsttoown the Scion FR-S. The selected 86 owners willtake delivery of their car before it goes on-sale to the general public. Starting Jan. 12 at Noon EST, FR-S enthusiasts willhave 8 hours and6 minutestosubmittheir requestat
www.ScionFirst86.com.
BeSpoke Infotainment Audio System Scion also announcedthat its 2013FR-S willbe the firstcartooffera connected infotainment audio system called BeSpoke, powered by Pioneer’s Zypr™. Scion’sBeSpoke aims tooffera higherlevelof connectivity with features that drivers have been asking for such as access to a wide variety of personalized content and services.
“Beginning last year, all Scion models come standard with Bluetooth® Hands-Free and HD Radio™ Technology,” said Jack Hollis, Vice President Scion. “Scion’s newBeSpoke system will take in-car technology to the next level, offering owners the ability to be more connected.”
2013 Scion FR-S The FR-S – which stands for Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport– is Scion’sdefinition ofan authentic rear-wheel-drive sports car with exceptionally balanced performance and handling, compelling style, flexible utility and surprising MPG.
“Serving as a laboratoryforToyota,Scionis always experimenting with new things,” Hollis said. “The brand is iconic with the xB,adrenalized by the tC,andgroundbreaking with the iQ. The FR-S will no doubt serve as the halo car, expanding Scion into a new dimensionofdriving performance.”
Inspired by the AE86ToyotaCorolla,the FR-S is designed around the core goal of achieving “Pure Balance,” which begins with the strategic use of the world’sonlyflat boxer engine in a front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration. The engine’s compact size andflatshape allow it to be mountedmid-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 aspiratedfour-cylinderengine 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, which incorporates both direct and port injection.The D-4Ssystem, partnered with a high 12.5:1 compression ratio, results in an impressive 200 horsepower and151pound-feet of torque.
The flat-four mates with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.The manualoffers 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. Poweris 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,andbyfeaturing a trunk design instead of a hatchback.
The FR-S’s interiorfeatures a 2+2seating configurationthat is designed with both form and functioninmind. The front seats are mountedextremelylow andare comfortable yetassertive, 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 monitoredbybothdigital and analog gauges
