The blogosphere has been abuzz this weekend with a solid rumor posted by toyobaru.net, stating the Toyota FT-86 concept will debut at the New York auto show in production form as the Scion FR-S. Toyota had previously announced that the next evolution car, the FT-86 II (above), would be shown at the imminent Geneva Motor Show, giving a clear indication of the production model. This much-anticipated coupe was co-developed by Toyota and Subaru, and the production plans are coming into focus as the late-2011 on-sale date draws closer. (See our original Toyota FT-86 sneak peek.)
The Scion FR-S is expected to be rear drive, and it will be the centerpiece of the brand’s drifting efforts going forward. The original concept car was powered by a high-revving 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual transmission. A Subaru-sourced 2.5-liter sounds probable, opening the hood to turbocharging. Rest assured, the Subaru version of this car will have high-performance WRX and WRX STI iterations.
The 2+2 (Toyota FT-86) Scion FR-S coupe measures 163.8 inches long, 69.3 inches wide and 49.6 inches tall, with a 101.2 inch wheelbase. Compared against the last-generation Celica, the FR-S is about 7 inches longer, an inch wider, and almost two inches lower. The wheelbase is about an inch shorter.
The NY auto show opens its doors to the public April 22, and we hope to see a production-intent version of this Hyundai Veloster-eating sport compact then.
See our 2011 Scion tC review.
Visit the autoMedia Scion Research Center for quick access to reviews, pricing, photos, and much more.
