You Heard It Here Second: No Turbo, Convertible Scion FR-S For America
Published: July 30th, 2012
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One of the most popular “ Out of Thin Air” stories over the last 24 months has concerned the existence of a factory turbocharged Scion FR-S. In second place, the existence of a convertible Scion FR-S. At long last, a reliable source of information has confirmed their existence – but we won’t be getting them.
Automotive News’ future product plans for the Japanese OEMs contained this nugget of information from reporter Mark Rechtin
Hopefully that puts to rest the endless rumors surrounding these variants. The constant hand-wringing will only grow stronger following their release in “world markets”, no doubt.
More by Derek Kreindler
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"due to overwhelming consumer interest, Scion has elected to bring the FR-S convertible to the States for the 2014 model year." Is that how those things are usually written?
Reason number 3493059354853981387 why this should've been badged a Toyota. It's almost like Toyota accidentally admitted that they couldn't further charge people for a Scion.
Anyone who has owned the craptastic FJ Cruiser has heard horror stories of TuRD supercharger installation hack jobs by inept Toyota dealers. I doubt most Toyota techs know how to work on a boxer engine. And you're expecting them to be able to install a turbo? The simple fact that no turbo or blower will be available for this car from the manufacturer means that you'll have to buy a ridiculously overpriced kit from the dealer, then let him scalp you for a potentially halfassed installation. The way this car has been marketed, sold, marked up, and overhyped means you'll be able to get a new one REAL CHEAP in the next few months.
By the time you buy one, buy the turbo kit and have the dealer put it on, the car is $35,000+. 5-7 psi of boost is not enough to net the kind of performance increase I'd be interested in, for that money. And there is nothing I know about the design and materials this engine was built with that would make me think putting on a turbo was a good idea, anyway.