The 600-horsepower FR-S race car is the result of a 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 2013 Scion FR-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.

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They have been working closely with Scion Racing to have both drift racing cars ready soon but no doubt an aftermarket kit for the consumer s out here in Scion land. Instead of a rear-wheel drive converted Scion tC, Ken Gushi and others will soon be campaigning a more near stock Scion FR-S with a turbo.

Cars with the Greddy turbo system have already been showing up at local LA area car haunts like Irvine’s Cars and Coffee. Other cars have been testing in drift guise at Laguna Seca raceway as seen in photos and stories around the net.

The standard NA horsepower of the Subaru/Toyota flat four engine is 197. Power with the Greddy turbo is expected to pass 300hp in race trim. Whether the initial consumer packages meant to meet 50 state emissions will hit the magic 300hp number is yet to be seen, but should not be too difficult to obtain.

After all, Subaru has managed to achieve that goal in their production engines in the past however. And of course we expect that brand to offer a factory turbo version of the BRZ variant before too long. Whether Toyota will bit the apple and offer a turbo FR-S in the showroom is yet unknown.

Obviously Greddy hasn’t published any information yet on availability of a consumer turbo system for the FR-S yet, what pricing would be, or even the power output. But as we said, by the time the FR-S lands on dealers a tuner kit at the very least is likely to be around.

Scion has finally unveiled its hot new 2013 FR-S sports car. The new rear-wheel drive Scion (Toyota FT-86) has been driving enthusiasts wild in the past year waiting for the final reveal. The high-performance coupe is the fifth model to join the Scion family and will go on sale in the spring of 2012. Subuar will market its own version of the car, called the BRZ.

The Scion FR-S, which stands for Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport; is Scion’s definition of an authentic rear-wheel-drive sports car. The FR-S is expected to exhibit exceptionally balanced performance and handling, compelling style, flexible utility and surprising MPG. While pricing has not been set, we expect that it will be in the mid $20,000’s.

“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.

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I’ve read a lot of the recent stories and blog postings about the FR-S, and it looks like you’re as amped as we are about this car!

We’ve been having a lot of fun at Scion these last few months, and to be honest part of it is because that’s what Scion’s all about… enjoying time with your friends and sharing experiences.

We’ve also had a great time sharing our cars with the Scion supporters, especially some of our latest models, like the new second-generation tC, which has been doing great since it came out late last year, bringing a lot of new people to Scion.

And tomorrow, I’m really excited that the iQ will go on sale here on the west coast, expanding the Scion brand from three models to four.

The iQ ushers in a “New Urbanism” for a progressive buyer whose transportation desires are different. It’s a new… premium… micro-subcompact … for new urbanites who want inventive transportation without sacrifice. And while it’s small… it has a huge fun-to-drive spirit.

The iQ and tC are helping us usher in the “New Dimension” of Scion, allowing us to keep a strong relationship with those who love the brand, while also talking to new people who haven’t owned a Scion before.

The next Scion will help us reach a whole new Dimension… a machine that will be THE halo car for Scion, but also for an entire group of driving enthusiasts. It’s a machine that pound-for-pound… and dollar-for-dollar… will ignite the passion of a whole group of car fanatics!

I doubt there’s a bigger driving enthusiast on the planet than our President Akio Toyoda. You’ve seen him race the LFA at Nurburgring, and recently he debuted the Toyota 86 at the Gazoo Racing Festival at Fuji Speedway just prior to the Tokyo Motor Show.

About four years ago, Mr. Toyoda gathered a small group of people together at Toyota and challenged them to create a new vehicle in the spirit of Toyota’s classic sports cars. He met regularly with the chief engineer during development, giving his feedback on the key performance aspects of this all-new addition to Toyota’s heritage.

Last spring at the New York auto show, we showed you a concept that would inspire a car that we would bring to production in 2012. And normally, we reveal cars at auto shows, but tonight we wanted to let you… true sports-car fans… see it first.

Tonight will go down in history as not only the night when Scion introduced its fifth car, but more importantly…as the night Scion brought the “SPORT” back to the “Car.” A car that is truly made for the people in this room.

For the first time anywhere… the 2013 Scion FR-S.

I’m being completely honest when I say that I CAN’T get enough of this car!! And it fits perfectly up here with all these other sports cars like the Supra, the MR2 and the LFA.

You might be thinking… If we’re here to talk about the Scion FR-S…then what the heck are all of these Toyota and Lexus cars doing here?

Well, that’s simple…before we can talk about what the FR-S is all about…it’s essential to know where the FR-S comes FROM. A true performance car like this isn’t simply developed overnight.

These six cars play a significant role in Toyota’s lengthy history of performance and racing heritage. I know most of you already know these cars. Do I have any MR2 fans out there? Who wants to take home this Supra Turbo right now?! Every single one of these cars contains Toyota’s high octane DNA…a DNA that can only be obtained through years of engineering…innovation…experience…and of course…racing.

You may also be wondering why this car is a Scion? That’s also an easy one. The FR-S… with its style, performance, authenticity, originality … fits perfectly with what Scion is all about! Passion for your car!

The definition of the word Scion… as you already know… means to be a descendant of… or an heir to. Well… the FR-S is an excellent example of that definition. The heritage and DNA of these performance cars you see here tonight trickles down into every ounce of the FR-S…just one of the benefits of being from such a great family.

In addition to its overall heritage, the FR-S gets its core inspiration from three of the Toyota models up here… the 2000GT, the Sports 800 and the Corolla GT-S.

The 2000GT was perhaps the first Toyota model to gain recognition within the sports car world, setting 13 international speed records. When it first debuted…one car magazine described the 2000GT as “A fantastic engineering masterpiece on wheels… a magnificent manifestation of complete automotive ingenuity.”

The exterior design of the FR-S is heavily influenced by the 2000GT’s profile, making it extremely low to the ground with a long, sleek hood. Even by today’s standards, the 2000GT’s styling is sophisticated and modern.

With its compact body and great fuel efficiency, the Toyota Sports 800 was an active sports car on the racing scene. The S800’s most important contribution to the FR-S, is that it was the first car ever to feature a front-mounted boxer engine with a rear-wheel drive configuration. The low center of gravity of the boxer engine and front-engine/rear-drive layout was considered ideal for a fun-to-drive car. And it’s the reason the FR-S adopted this sporty layout.

Although the 2000GT and the Sports 800 play a significant role in the roots of the FR-S, the car that inspires the FR-S the most is the Corolla GT-S, known by its true fans as the AE86 or “hachi-roku,” which means 8-6 in Japanese. The 5th generation Corolla GT-S model gets its “AE86” name from Toyota’s unique chassis code for the car. It was a moderately priced sports car with a front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration.

The AE86 didn’t rely on brute horsepower, but instead a remarkable combination of a lightweight design, responsive power and a perfect balance. It made its way into almost every genre of racing from grip to drift… and from the circuit to mountain roads.

Although the FR-S arrives more than 25 years later, and doesn’t share a single piece of hardware, the spirit and the heritage of the AE86 bleed into every ounce of this car. It inspired the FR-S so much in fact, that each car will wear unique badging on its front fenders, depicting its “86” heritage along with the evolution of its new boxer engine. And can you believe the bore and stroke are both 86 millimeters?!

The goal was to create an authentic rear-wheel drive sports car… with compelling style… exceptionally balanced performance and handling… flexible utility… and surprising MPG.

How did we accomplish that goal? Well…we started with an overall focus for the car…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… like the S800. The FR-S’s 2.0 liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine is the result of a joint development between Toyota and Subaru… combining Subaru’s newly developed horizontally opposed engine, and Toyota’s D-4S direct and port injection system. The D-4S system…in conjunction with a high 12.5 to 1 compression ratio… results in an impressive 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. We’re talking about a 100 horsepower per liter! We all know that it’s not hard to make horsepower and torque…but it IS hard to do all that AND get great MPG. The FR-S does all three.

The flat architecture of the engine allows it to be mounted low and pushed back far enough to classify it as a front mid-ship, similar to that of the $375,000 LFA, with an excellent front-to-rear weight ratio of 53 to 47. The center of gravity is lower than many sports cars today, even lower than the Porsche Cayman.

The flat-four mates with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The manual offers quick and precise shifts with a short-throw… while the automatic transmission features aggressive up shifts…and sporty rev-matched down shifts…both initiated by steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The power is put to the pavement via a limited-slip differential.

The idea of PURE BALANCE is further realized by the FR-S’s lightweight design and short wheel base. The combination allows the car to be quick and nimble into and out of any corner. How light are we talking? How many of you are S2000 fans? Come on! Even I’m a fan! Well…although it’s not yet final, we think we are going to be lighter than that.

To keep the overall vehicle weight down to an ABSOLUTE minimum…we decided to go with a solid roof instead of a sunroof…we chose a rigid trunk instead of a hatchback…made appropriately sized lightweight 17-inch wheels standard…we even made the hood out of aluminum! As you can see, our engineers are all about keeping the “weight down” and the “structural rigidity up.”

And every single angle of this car screams performance…The front bumper is low and aggressive… with fierce…edgy headlights…while the rear features a trapezoidal shape with unique tail lamps and center-positioned back-up lights. The roof has a gull-wing shape… channeling air-flow smoothly over the car. The FR-S will come in seven colors that complement its amazing style lines, like this striking red that we call, Firestorm.

The interior shares the same DNA… designed with both form and function in mind. The seats are mounted extremely low and are comfortable yet assertive. The large center-mounted tachometer is all business, keeping the driver informed of the engine’s vitals.

For many, the FR-S is the definition of the perfect daily driver AND weekend warrior. Its 2+2 seating configuration with a fold-flat cargo area is large enough to transport a full set of race-spec tires… a floor jack and the necessary pit tools for a fun day at the track, because you and I know that most of us don’t have a truck and trailer.

As you can tell… the FR-S is a serious sports car… offering performance that hard-core driving fanatics can only find in a rear-wheel drive.

We’re proud to bring you the new definition of an affordable sports car. And what fun is a sports car if you can’t afford to buy one.

What do I mean by affordable? Well we can’t say how much at this point, I know that you will be pleasantly surprised that we are able to offer this much fun with such an attainable price tag.

And because it’s a Scion, you know that there will be a lot of ways to personalize the FR-S. It’s amazing how all of YOU can take a great car and make it your own, with more creativity than anyone. And I have no doubt that I’ll see more versions of the FR-S than I can ever imagine.

We know there is a lot of buzz circulating around this car…and we love it. We read the forums…and saw the spy shots and the leaked information. We are aware that the FR-S fans know ALMOST as much about this car as WE do!

Someone asked me if I get upset about all of the leaked FR-S information and spy shots are out there. I said Absolutely NOT! It just proves that the true driving enthusiasts are READY for a car that is awesome to drive, a car that is light and nimble, a car that is sleek and sporty, a car that is exciting AND affordable, a car just like the FR-S! To give you an idea…Scion launched its hand-raiser site about a month ago, and without telling anyone about it, we got over 10,000 signups in just 10 days.

We’re excited about where the FR-S is going to take Scion, but even more excited to see where the FR-S is going to take YOU… and just maybe the entire industry. We truly believe that the FR-S is going to bring the “Sport”…back to the car.

I know that many of you can’t wait to drive the FR-S, so I want to give one of you a chance to be the first to drive it here tonight! Let’s see, who out there wants to drive it first?

I love these cool HPI Racing R/C Cars. We already have xB and tC R/C cars…and we’re already working on the FR-S version.

Originally we thought the FR-S would go on sale next summer, but we wanted to get people behind the wheel as soon as we could, so you’ll see it at Scion dealerships next Spring. If you want to take a few laps in the FR-S tonight, be sure to visit our friends here from Sony and drive the FR-S on the latest Gran Turismo 5. For all of you GT5 fans, the FR-S will be downloadable very soon.

One last thing… we couldn’t let you leave tonight without seeing a modified
FR-S! In the next room, you have to check it out …just one example of how they might look once they hit the streets.

We’re going to have some new things to share with you about the FR-S at the Detroit auto show, so please look for that in early January.

I want to invite you all up here to take some photos of the FR-S. I’ll be around to answer any questions that you may have.

Thanks again for hanging out with us tonight.

The Scion FR-S Concept car was on hand as well, a crowd favorite. While we have all seen the photos ot it, seeing it in person and gauging its proportions is completely different.

Enjoy our photos!

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Here are some of the highlights from around the show grounds showcasing the latest trends!

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From the custom tires designed to mimic New Balance 686 snow boots to a roof treatment to give homage a Bern carbon fiber helmet, this show vehicle is meant to impress and induce a smile.

Inside, the Sparco seating are inspired from Union team snowboard bindings. Floormats are heated and the completely custom job is upholstered in winter materials. The exterior of the Scion xB is wrapped with fully functional waterproof and breathable outerwear fabric. Wild.

We will be on hand to snap all the details of this wonder at the SEMA Show all nest week. Come back and see us.

Build List:

Engine:

• TRD Cold Intake
• 686x Roland Sands Stainless Steel exhaust

Chassis & Suspension:

• D2 Adjustable Coil Over Suspension
• TRD Sway Bars
• New Balance Wet Race Tires
• Motegi 18” Rally Wheels
• TRD big Brakes
• Custom CNC Drift Brake

Exterior:

• Waterproof Breathable Fabric Wrap w/ Laser Welded Stitched Seams
• Waterproof Zipper Pocket vents
• Bern Carbon Fiber Helmet Roof
• Dragon APS Mirrored Frameless Windows
• Four Way Suicide Doors
• Body Kit
• 686 Vader Vent Mesh Grilles

Interior:

• Union Binding Swivel Seats
• Freewaters Heated Floor Mates
• Vestal Custom Clock by Roland Sands
• Cadence Steering Wheel Wrap
• BOA AC/Heat Controls
• Rokform CNC iPad Cradle
• Custom Artwork & Gear Hangers
• Custom Snowboard & Boot Rack
• Roll Cage

Electronics:

• Skullcandy Aviator Sound System
• GoPro Video Rear View Mirrors
• AiM Sports Digital Cluster
• Recco Avalanche Rescue System

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Looking hot with carbon fiber body accouterments all around including a hood, front splitter and rear wing, the Gruppe S Scion tC is sure to be a show stopper at SEMA this year.

Under the hood is where the action is with a Greddy turbo and intercooler system and a beefed up engine with a hot camshaft.

Inside, the cockpit is down to business with Recaro race seats, Sparco racing harnesses and a custom 6-point roll cage.

Build List:

Chassis & Suspension:

• KW 3-Way Race Coilover set
• Gruppe-S Custom Rear Camber Arm
• Weds 18” Custom Wheels
• TRD Big Brake Kit
• Custom Porterfield Racing Brake Pads

Engine:

• Greddy Turbocharger
• Greddy Intercooler
• BC Camshaft and Springs
• Mishimoto Custom Radiator
• Custom APEXi Muffler

Exterior:

• Seibon Carbon Hood
• Seibon Carbon Trunk
• APR Front Carbon Splitter
• APR GT Wing
• 5axis Front Lip Splitter
• Papadakis Racing One-Piece Roof

Interior:

• Recaro SPG Hans Seats
• Sparco Race Harness
• Custom Build 6-Piece Race Cage

Electronics:

• Custom AEM EMS
• Injector Dynamics 1000cc Injectors
• AIM Race Dash
• Greddy Profec B

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Stripping the entire car down the the bone, Tatsu has move the entire engine to the rear, built-out the motor, and gave it the complete tube frame race car treatment.

With smaller 15” wheels and hand crafted fender flares, the iQ-MR definitely has a Japan Domestic Market look and theme to it. There is little “factory” feel left in this all out race build. And we bet it shreds like smoke in the woods!

Build list:

Exterior:

• Complete custom body fabrication
• Burns Stainless Steel Exhaust

Engine:

• Mid-engine layout
• 292 Duration Cam
• JE Pistons 12:1 Compression
• AEM Engine Management
• Micro Image Clutch

Suspension & Chassis:

• KW Variant 3 Suspension
• Axis 15” Wheels
• Fastbrakes 4-Piston Calipers

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The Modellista factory tuning house has a body package on the car shown, likely to be part of a Scion RS Series version at some point. The lines and creases in the fascias front and rear, and the lower cladding are a bit more subdued than the concept, looking much more production oriented.

In a pleasant surprise, the front fascia retains a deep sculpted center intake and a set of angular side races for driving lights. The headlights are almost a dead ringer for the concept car. The rear fascia keeps a sporting look with a large blacked out rear panel area and beefy dual exhausts.

The interior has a classic Japanese feel with a dual cockpit form. A prominent high center console will act as a solid divider and armrest, housing a 6-speed manual or automatic shifter. The center stack also has a more classic Japanese sports car theme as well. Gauges are simple and down to business. The seats appear to be highly contoured and bolstered as well.

The latest news is that the naturally aspirated Subaru boxer engine will crank out about 200hp in the Toyota FT-86 / Scion FR-S with dual overhead cams and a direct injection system developed by Toyota.

It’s believed that the Scion FR-S to be sold in the States will be all but identical in styling to the FT-86 sold around the world. So with the exception of a small detail or two, we suggest you are looking the production Scion FR-S in the eyes!