Scion Says Its Customer's Are Not Interested In A Turbo Or Convertible FR-S

Bad news, Scion FR-S fans — Scion Vice President Doug Murtha has confirmed that there are plans for a convertible or turbocharged version of the little Japanese sports car. In fact, this is also bad news for fans of the Toyota GT-86 and Subaru BRZ.

It has long been rumored that the seemingly underpowered GT-86, BRZ and FR-S triplets would get a more powerful variant, as well a drop top, but a strong business case couldn’t be made for either versions. The demand just isn’t there…

scenicbyway12 - 11/26/2014 11:38:36 AM

+2 Boost

Is anybody actually interested in Scion?

MDarringer - 11/26/2014 5:44:29 PM

+2 Boost

Not a soul.

Agent009 - 11/26/2014 12:08:56 PM

+1 Boost

Fir a brand hell bent on appealing to a more youthful demographic this is questionable.

After all they are looking to draw in NEW customers in, not what they have. So why worry about those you do have rather than those you don't have?

MDarringer - 11/26/2014 5:46:57 PM

0 Boost

The FRS is an import tuner boy's wet dream...except it's horribly underpowered and tail happy. More power and with a lot of attention to suspension tuning, the FRS could be viable, but as it is, it's just a nail-girl special like the Miata.

valhallakey - 11/26/2014 4:07:18 PM

+1 Boost

As per the SC convertible concept… Toyota is not committed to sports cars… it is something they dabble in now and then….

MDarringer - 11/26/2014 8:27:12 PM

0 Boost

Asking Subaru--a brand that caters to vegans--to build a sports car was moronic.

SSP350 - 11/26/2014 4:08:17 PM

+1 Boost

Demand isn't there? Maybe people are holding back because it's underpowered? You don't know if the demand isn't there until the product is out. BMW, Audi and MB have been putting products out without even acknowleding if there's any demand at all. Ummm...X6, 5er GT... Audi A7...I can think of a few more, but you get the point, right?

Agent009 - 11/26/2014 4:37:34 PM

+2 Boost

Well convertibles always sell in smaller numbers.
BUT it is a halo effect.
People come in for the convertible and walk out with the coupe.

In the 80's and 90's Toyota had exciting cars then the bean counters took over and killed off the lower volume models and destroyed the brand.

Yes sales still increased, but brand excitement suffered and still does to this day. There is a balance out there somewhere but boring is not where it is at.

PUGPROUD - 11/27/2014 8:40:04 AM

+2 Boost

Duh! Maybe Toyota should think about attracting new customers to the brand too. Do you think Porsche originally expanded its line into all these specialty niches to satisfy current customers or to gain new customers by zeroing in on their needs and wants. If you want a large broad customer base you need a large broad range of models and choices.

bperlow - 11/27/2014 3:36:47 PM

0 Boost

Cant believe Im agreeing with MDarringer. Subaru had many years with its STI to make sporty coupes that people would want. For years that car company has beating its cars with the ugly stick. I still think toyota is misinformed about having a turbo. Maybe the current owners don't care, but a majority of people who were interested in the car maybe wanted one with a turbo and a warranty that would come with a stock car.

MDarringer - 11/27/2014 10:00:18 PM

-1 Boost

Subaru is a Super Beetle engined brand with NO EXPERIENCE at designing an RWD car. I despise Subaru and their Super Beetle engines that leak oil and develop valve clatter at 75K miles