Here's a surprise: Toyota has announced the company will produce the iQ Supercharger first unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon in limited quantities. The automaker has confirmed the development at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon. The vehicles will be built by partner Gazoo Racing and will feature a brawnier version of the same 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine found in the standard iQ. With a little forced induction on its side courtesy of a supercharger, the engine should be good for 130 horsepower and 133 pound-feet of torque. That's an increase of 36 ponies and 44 lb-ft over the stock configuration.
Like the concept, the production model will wear a not-so-subtle widebody kit, stiffer suspension and more aggressive brakes than its standard siblings. A six-speed manual transmission will be the only gearbox option. Indoors, buyers can expect to find custom seats and gauges that read all the way up to 124 mph.
Toyota and Gazoo Racing only plan to produce 100 of the muscle-bound iQ Supercharger models, and there's no indication its Scion cousin sold in the States will receive a similar treatment. What a shame. Hit the jump for a brief introductory video featuring the original concept as well as the full press release.
Continue reading Toyota greenlights iQ Supercharger Concept for production [w/video]
Along with introducing its 600-horsepower Scion FR-S drift car in partnership with GReddy, Scion has also let all the felines loose from the bag called "First 86." The program makes it possible for a lucky 86 FR-S cravers to be the first to own the rather excellent sports car before it goes on sale to the public.
The process is rather simple, if a little hazy at the moment. On January 12 at 12 p.m. EST, a purchase-request page will go live at www.ScionFirst86.com, and anyone wanting an FR-S will have eight hours and six minutes to submit a request detailing their desired color and transmission. Within 24 hours the chosen 86 will be notified, and they'll have 96 hours to take their confirmation number and $500 to a dealer to officially reserve their coupe.
There isn't much more info to be had at the moment, but that should be enough to get you going until the gun goes off Thursday, January 12. Follow the link to scour the site for more clues, and to everyone who's going to get in the game, good luck.
The Scion team is still giddy about the FR-S, and we can't blame them. We were in the mood for 200 horsepower and 2,700 pounds, and the FR-S is ready and willing to tickle our fancy. So it was understandable that Scion didn't have an all-new model to show us this week at the Detroit Auto Show, but Toyota's car-loving brand did provide a taste of the FR-S "race" car.
The drift car isn't just a fun project. Instead, it's the result of a partnership between Scion Racing and GReddy, and will compete in the 2012 Formula DRIFT series with veteran driver Ken Gushi.
We're guessing that the production FR-S won't go anywhere near 600 horsepower without some serious aftermarket work, but we'll at least have this drifter to drool over. Hit the jump to read over Scion's press release, and be sure to click through the high resolution images of the FR-S race car in the gallery above.
Continue reading Scion FR-S drift car looks like 600-horsepower fun
It looks as if Scion may be hard at work on a new turbocharged FR-S prototype. Motor Trend nabbed a quick video of what appears to be a forced-induction version of the coupe darting around Laguna Seca. With its tall wing and sideways antics, the vehicle is likely being put through its paces by the Scion drift team, which has had to rely on specially modified TC models until now. It makes sense for the drift team to strap a turbo onto the vehicle's 2.0-liter flat four for a little extra grunt, but it's unclear if a forced-induction version of the FR-S will make its way to production.
If a hotter version of the coupe is coming down the pike, we'll have to wait for it. The first production FR-S models won't show up until summer, and any variations would trail along after that. Either way, it appears we should be able to catch a glimpse of high-performance FR-S on the Formula D circuit in no time. Hit the jump to watch the quick video for yourself.
Continue reading Scion FR-S turbo spotted testing at Laguna Seca
Dodge Dart teased, Scion FR-S First Drive, Fiat 500 crash test, Acura NSX and ILX, BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe
Episode #260 of the Autoblog Podcast is here with Chris, Dan, Chris Paukert and Zach this week. Topics include the teaser images Chrysler has released of the 2012 Dodge Dart, our first drive of the Scion FR-S, the Fiat 500 crash test aftermath, A new Acura NSX and ILX, and the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #260:
2013 Dodge Dart teased
Scion FR-S First Drive
Fiat 500 crash test results
Acura NSX and ILX coming to Detroit Auto Show
BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe
In the Autoblog Garage
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Crew Cab
2012 Land Rover Evoque
2012 Buick Regal eAssist
2012 Infiniti M37
Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman, Chris Paukert
Runtime: 01:27:53
Get the podcast
[UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10PM Eastern at UStream
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
We record Episode #260 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and you can drop us your questions via our Q&A module below. Check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.
Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #260
2013 Dodge Dart teased
Scion FR-S First Drive
Fiat 500 crash test results
Acura NSX and ILX coming to Detroit Auto Show
BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
The Scion FR-S may not be big on power, but Toyota and Subaru engineers have delivered a lightweight, rear-drive coupe at what should be a palatable price point. That sounds like a recipe for track day fun if you ask us, or you can watch the post-jump video for visual evidence.
One drifter as he has his way with the FR-S on a track, and his camera was capturing the frames for proof. The unnamed cockpit commander seemed easily able to nose in and kick out the rump, often without the use of the parking brake. A light rain may have helped the drifts along a bit, but we're encouraged by what we see. Hit the jump for some entertaining sideways shenanigans.
UPDATE: The wheelman in question is Formula Drift racer Ken Gushi, wheeling around Sodegaura Forest Raceway just outside Tokyo.
Continue reading Will it drift? Yes, the 2013 Scion FR-S will drift [UPDATE]
Accomplished Sports Coupe Rekindles Hope For Scion
When it comes to wringing out a performance car, nothing beats track time. Public roads are crowded, chock full of regulations and policed. Race circuits are lawless expanses of curvy asphalt with just one golden rule: Keep it on the pavement.
Under invitation from Scion, we loaded into a widebody 777 for the long trek across the Pacific Ocean to Japan. Our objective was to drive the automaker's highly anticipated, all-new FR-S sports car. Upon arrival, we were pleased to learn that Scion had rented Sodegaura Forest Raceway for our full day behind the wheel.
After dozens of laps at unrestricted speed - few have been offered as much track time - we answered many of our own nagging questions. Does Scion's new rear-wheel-drive coupe deliver all that it promises? How is the power delivery from the naturally aspirated flat-four engine, and is it sufficient? Is the handling balanced and the chassis up to the task? Most importantly, why would someone choose the Scion FR-S over its clone, the Subaru BRZ?
The Scion FR-S may not be big on power, but Toyota and Subaru engineers have delivered a lightweight, rear-drive coupe at what should be a palatable price point. That sounds like a recipe for track day fun if you ask us, or you can watch the post-jump video for visual evidence.
One drifter as he has his way with the FR-S on a track, and his camera was capturing the frames for proof. The unnamed cockpit commander seemed easily able to nose in and kick out the rump, often without the use of the parking brake. A light rain may have helped the drifts along a bit, but we're encouraged by what we see. Hit the jump for some entertaining sideways shenanigans.
Continue reading Will it drift? Yes, the 2013 Scion FR-S will drift
Toyota may be hard at work on a new version of the company's iQ microcar. The sleuths at Carscoop have managed to uncover a patent rendering of the fuel-sipping sub-compact wearing some considerably more aggressive bodywork. It's unclear whether these designs are meant for the U.S.-market iQ or its Toyota-badged twin, but we're more than a little intrigued by the vehicle's widebody treatment.
The kit looks to include a reworked front fascia and wheel arches along with a new rear valance that includes a diffuser and space for dual exhaust outlets. A massive rear spoiler looks to be part of the package, as well, along with side skirts to match the rest of the bodywork. What does Toyota have planned with this pint-sized bruiser? Your guess is as good as ours, but here's hoping we hear something concrete from the company soon. Head over to Carscoop for additional renderings.
