Scion Scion FR-S Concept leaks ahead of New York unveiling

[HighestOfHigh]

The Toyota FT-86 is continuing its long, painful march towards production at the 2011 New York Auto Show. As previously rumored, the rear-wheel drive wonder may sail under the Scion badge if and when it actually shows up on dealer lots, at least that's what Toyota seems to be hinting at with this latest concept car. Photos of the Scion-badged FR-S Concept have leaked their way to the interwebs ahead of the vehicle's debut later today. From the looks of things, the newest concept is a slightly more subdued version of the FT-86 II Concept we saw under the lights at Geneva. Those ridiculous LED accents have been stripped from the nose and the front fascia no longer looks as if it were lifted from the Buddy Club catalog. (Note to Toyota: We would have been perfectly happy seeing the original concept on the road as a production model.)

Unfortunately, there still appears to be an awful lot of concept floating around this machine. Note the ridiculously large wheels, bizarre door handle placement, miniscule side mirrors and Transformer-inspired rear valance. Given that entire star systems have been born, flourished and imploded on themselves since the FT-86 first bowed at the Tokyo Motor Show way back in 2009, we can only stand so many more concept unveils before we write this car off as all smoke and mirrors. That, or by the time the production car finally goes on sale, perhaps it'll arrive at dealers with a mid-cycle refresh.

- http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/20/scion-fr-s-concept-leaks-ahead-of-new-york-unveiling/

 

[Michael]

Wow! Get out of here. Looks a lot like the Lexus LFA.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

Oh No they didn't!! They saved the awesome looking FT-86 for the Scion brand, and gave the Toyota derivative an over-riced looked. Seems backwards.

But.. who cares, as long as this design version makes it to production who cares if its Toyota or Scion badged.

 

[330CIZHP]

Insane! I like how the design language is taken from the LFA.

If it truly is a leaked picture, looks like something hit Toyota in the head. That looks nasty! (in a good way).

The only deal break for me is the 'Scion' badge, which is a ricer's dream. Think strobe lights, big spoilers, lime green colors etc.

I would never even consider a 'Scion'. Overseas people are lucky since it will be badged a 'Toyota' or better yet, badge it a 'Lexus' with luxury and make it out of reach of the high school kids.

 

[martinbo]

Subayotacion are gonna milk this platform for all it's worth it seems...

 

[330CIZHP]

Full official reveal at NY auto show:

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/scion-fr-s-concept-new-york-2011/


Found the full picture gallery:

www.sciondimension.com

The big 'Scion' ricer badge FTL!

 

[HighestOfHigh]

 

[///K]

I have no problem with the ft86 being under the Scion brand. I've driven Scions many times and I've never had a problem with the brand or the way it drives. Just because the brand is marketed towards a younger population, it doesn't mean it falls under the "ricer" category. I've even been to those Scion meets and I've never seen a "riced up" Scion yet.

 

[Michael]

I like it. It looks nice. Being in the red color it reminds me of the RX8.

I think the design is nice, regardless of whether they borrowed it form the LFA.

 

[ateekt]

Yet another Toyota with Scion badge! And it does looks cool. We all know that if its happens - It would be a big hit.

 

[NarutoRamen]

Damn...that looks sick!!

 

[K-A]

Wow, that looks wild. Looks like a poor mans Ferrari.

So is this the same car that we've seen advertised as a Toyota? Or are BOTH Scion and Toyota gonna release their crazy looking RWD Coupes that both look almost identically to each other?

I'd have a problem owning a "Scion", as that name literally means kids-corner Ricer stuff, but damn, for a good price this little thing could be fun.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Madre del Dios! That's the best concept of the lot. The rear is definitely LFA-inspired while the front reminds me of a Maser Coupe or a Ferrari Cali. I'm still not down with the Scion brand, but this might change my mind. Besides it's all superficial marketing BS-ery. If I was so inclined, I'll just change out the badges.

Toyota, here's a piece of advice: BUILD IT. JUST BUILD IT.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

Oh my oh my... all this hoopla over the Scion name...... suddenly the Toyota badge has become desirable around here. Hahaha... hilarious!

 

[330CIZHP]

Oh my oh my... all this hoopla over the Scion name...... suddenly the Toyota badge has become desirable around here. Hahaha... hilarious!

Atleast more desirable than 'Scion'. In Europe/Asia etc., people will get this as a Toyota.

I think people have forgotten Toyota's rich history in the 70s, 80s and 90s as a sports car builder. 2000 GT, AE-86, Celica, Supra, MR-2, Chaser, Soarer etc.

Originally this car was built to pay rich tribute and homage to the heritage of the AE-86, but I fail to see how it does by badging it 'Scion'. I think it would be great if this car was badged a 'Toyota Celica FR-S'.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Oh my oh my... all this hoopla over the Scion name...... suddenly the Toyota badge has become desirable around here. Hahaha... hilarious!

Haha, I know what you mean. It's really a silly thing, and usually I'm indifferent to perceptions by others. But that whole image of a having a coffee can on your muffler, which is rather indicative of a good chunk of the Scion crown does bug me a bit. I just feel their marketing department tries too hard to make their cars seem individiualistic when in fact, it's not. I do think the FR-S (or FT-86 or what ever it ends up being called Stateside) will give Scion some credibility in their claim of having "individuality." Again, it's all marketing BS-ery. If you like the car, screw the badge and enjoy it. At the end of the day when it's all said and done, you only have to answer to yourself.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

I'd have a problem owning a "Scion", as that name literally means kids-corner Ricer stuff, but damn, for a good price this little thing could be fun.

A good looking car is a good looking car no matter what badge it wears. If this is ever produced it will sell.

 

[Centurion]

Toyota has excellent branding options for this car and I curious about what route they will take for Europe/Japan and North America. For the US market I think Scion would work best. It's a hip brand and already has an great image, this car would take it a step higher. In Europe, the Lexus brand name is in desperate need of a brand booster. Putting a Toyota badge on the car would be a complete waste so I hope they go with Lexus especially when the LF-A is the halo car. To capitalize on the LF-A hype they MUST badge this car a Lexus.

 

[330CIZHP]

I don't think Scion has a great brand image. It is generally associated with cars for high-school kids on a budget (since they are supposed to be capped at $20,000). Maybe, it is the immature kid's car image I get in my head that turns me off. In my early 30s, I cannot see myself being in a Scion.

Anyway, I agree I wish this car was badged an entry-level 'F' Lexus with some luxuries and some exclusivity. I would definitely consider buying one of these as it would go well with (or maybe replace) my BMW well. But, no way as a Scion.

Toyota has excellent branding options for this car and I curious about what route they will take for Europe/Japan and North America. For the US market I think Scion would work best. It's a hip brand and already has an great image, this car would take it a step higher. In Europe, the Lexus brand name is in desperate need of a brand booster. Putting a Toyota badge on the car would be a complete waste so I hope they go with Lexus especially when the LF-A is the halo car. To capitalize on the LF-A hype they MUST badge this car a Lexus.

 

[Centurion]

I don't think Scion has a great brand image. It is generally associated with cars for high-school kids on a budget (since they are supposed to be capped at $20,000). Maybe, it is the immature kid's car image I get in my head that turns me off.

Anyway, I agree I wish this car was badged an entry-level 'F' Lexus with some luxuries and some exclusivity. I would definitely consider buying one of these as it would go well with (or maybe replace) my BMW well. But, no way as a Scion.

Yupp, Scion is a bit of a ricer favourite and could benefit from a car that would make the brand appear a bit more classy. Lexus is the ideal badge though the brand is doing well in the US compared with in Europe where it's still struggling to establish itself.

Check this out. Toyota are flirting with F1. The aerodynamic work in the diffuser and the fins is gorgeous, but mostly so, the location and design of the the exhaust outlets. It's in line with what Mclaren and Renault are doing in F1 this year, concealing the exhaust exits in the body work.