Scion FR-S... The new HACHIROKU

anyone that is around me knows that i am a huge car fan. I bought my first car at age 25, ( i had company vehicles before that) five years ago. The first was "Silvia", a 1995 240sx named after the JDM version of the S14 Chassis. Then along came Akuma a 1989 240sx S13 chassis followed by a 1994 Sentra B13, a 1989 JDM Fairlady Z, !991 Integra LS, 1992 Integra GSR and the other day I purchased a 1991 BMW 325. So ya i like cars lol. As you can notice the cars i have owned/own are old ass Japanese cars. Why? They are fun as hell to drive and to someone like me thats the most important thing! yes i have driven much newer cars, Import and Domestic, and thought to myself "it has a nice ride but there is no adventure in the drive." I understand the factories are giving the masses what they want... fuel effiecentcy, saftey and reliabillity to get ya from A to B. Personnally I want to go from A to Z and I want to get there as quickly as possible! :D It feels like affordible sports cars are going the way of the buffalo.


With all that said there is a glimmer of hope from Toyota/Scion. The FR-S, a resurection of the famed "HACHIROKU"

Info fom http://www.japanesesportcars.com/

New York – 04/20/2011 – Scion unveiled the rear-wheel drive FR-S Concept sports coupe today at the 2011 New York International Auto Show. The Scion concept, which sets out to stimulate the souls of true driving enthusiasts, will be at the Scion display through May 1. The Scion FR-S Concept will inspire a new model coming to the Scion brand next year.

The Scion FR-S Concept, which stands for Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport; is Scion’s definition of an authentic rear-wheel-drive sports car with compelling style, exceptionally balanced performance and handling, flexible utility and surprising MPG.

“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 expand the brand into yet another new dimension that I know it is truly destined for.”

The Scion FR-S is a true “scion,” born into a lengthy history of Toyota performance cars and motorsports. The Scion sports coupe 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 Scion FR-S is built around the core goal of achieving “pure balance,” which begins with the strategic placement of a flat 2.0-liter boxer engine in a front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration. The engine’s compact size and shape allows the Scion FR-S’ powertrain to be mounted lower and further back towards the rear, giving the car a lower center of gravity and a dynamically favorable front-to-rear weight ratio.

The Scion FR-S’ naturally-aspirated engine is innovative, being the first boxer to 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.

The flat-four can mate 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, sporty shifts that are initiated by steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Power is distributed effectively via a limited-slip differential.

The idea of “pure balance” is further realized by the Scion FR-S’ lightweight design and short wheelbase. The combination allows the car to be quick and nimble into and out of any corner, with dynamic maneuverability and confident stability.

“Akio Toyoda has mentioned that he is going to bring the fun-to-drive spirit back to Toyota,”

- Hollis said.

“I know that the Scion FR-S Concept is one of the ways that he plans to accomplish that.”

The fierce exterior of the Scion FR-S is a good reflection of its inner power. The intimidating proportions of the concept give it a dominant stance that bleeds performance. The profile, inspired by the Toyota 2000GT, reveals a hood-line that is remarkably sleek and low, made possible by the boxer’s architecture.

The low stance continues to exaggerate the Scion FR-S’ menacing face, which is made up of sharp lines, a wide mouth and angular headlights that include bright LED clusters.

The solid panel roofline is sleek, lightweight and rigid, slotted with an aerodynamic shape that channels air cleanly over to the top.

The front fenders protrude upward, making space for the massive monoblock Five Axis 20×8.5-inch wheels, while the muscular rear fenders are widened to house the 20×10.5-inch wheels, emphasizing the FR-S’ staggered stance and rear-wheel-drive setup.

The rear fascia sits low and wide, with extensive lower treatments that surround the dual exhaust exits and contribute to excellent aerodynamics. LEDs illuminate both the edgy taillights and the bold “SCION” logo.

The concept features four-piston-caliper front brakes that clamp down on monstrous 18-inch annular carbon ceramic matrix rotors that are fixed to the wheels in a motorcycle-fashion.

The Scion FR-S Concept is layered in rich coats of Code Red, the appropriately named color that consists of a custom blend of candy and a developmental additive from BASF called Mearlite SSQ.

http://www.japanesesportcars.com/scion-fr-s-concept-overview-2011-new-york-auto-show_18687.html