The suspension wizards at KW Automotive have used their magical staff to bless the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ with a brand new “Clubsport” coilover system. The cool thing about “clubsport” setups is that they are made especially for those who daily their car during the week and hit the track on the weekends.
The Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ Clubsport coilovers allow for a 20mm-50mm drop (or .7 in to 1.9 in) in the front and the rear as well as having adjustability for rebound and compression dampening. KW claims that no matter how you adjust your ride height you will still have enough suspension travel to handle maximum loads and dynamic loads while driving. In other words you won’t have to worry about bottoming out with these bad boys.
The MSRP on these coilovers is set at $3759.99 which is defnitely pricy but you pay for quality! Hit up KWAutomotive.com or your local race shop if you want to order a set.
It has been rumored since before the FR-S’ release but it was recently made official that TRD is in fact working on a Supercharger for the Scion FR-S, thus continuing its tradition of boosting Scion coupes that started with the tC. Right now the FR-S supercharger is in the test phase as the first and only prototype unit has been sent to Ken Stout Racing. The racing outfit will bolt the supercharger on to their Scion FR-S race car which will compete in the full 2013 season of the Pirelli World Challenge series in the GTS class.
TRD will gather data from the season to make nessasary tweaks and adjustments when producing the final product which I imagine will be sold through Scion and Toyota dealerships.
This is great news but it also begs a few questions. The first is: “What is with the supercharging?” Almost all the FR-S SEMA cars featured a supercharger rather than a turbocharger. Why is this? The FR-S does feature a Subaru developed boxer engine and we all know how much those engines love turbochargers. So, why is the aftermarket favoring a belt driven solution for the FR-S? I don’t know the true answer but if I had to make a guess I would say perhaps it is easier to make a supercharger street legal than a turbocharger? SMOG compliance is a big deal these days (especially in California) and its hard to enjoy a power adder if you are constantly worrying about the cops.
The other question is that with so many companies opting for the supercharger route, will anyone develop a turbo charger system? Greddy I am looking at you for an answer to this!
Finally, will Subaru go the same way? Many are anticipating that an STi version of the BRZ will come soon. Will Subaru abandon their tried and true turbo system for a supercharger? Or will they stick with what they know and bolt a turbo snail onto the BRZ?
Right now the FR-S has a significant lead over the BRZ when it comes to sales but if there is a factory turbo’d BRZ on the horizon then I predict the tide changing very soon.
For more on Ken Stout Racing’s TRD Supercharger test check out the press release below.
TRD Supercharger Built for Ken Stout Racing’s Scion FR-S
Brownsburg, IN (February 21, 2013). Ken Stout Racing Inc. (KSR) today announced receipt of the highly anticipated, newly developed TRD supercharger for their Scion FR-S racecar. While most of us last week were receiving chocolates and cards for Valentine’s Day, KSR received the best gift ever in the form of the first-ever TRD supercharger built specifically for the FR-S. KSR will race the FR-S in the Pirelli World Challenge GTS class in 2013 with Robert Stout, the 2010 Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car Champion, behind the wheel.
At the SEMA Show and the unveiling of their FR-S, KSR teased the industry with news that a supercharger was going to be developed for the car – the go ahead to develop the supercharger was given at the SEMA Show. The TRD team, in collaboration with their business partner Magnuson Products LLC, developed and built the supercharger for the car in an impressive 15 weeks. CAD data was quickly developed after SEMA and a focused group of the best engineers in the world went to work delivering the completed supercharger to KSR on February 14th.
“The concept for this unit was just a thought in somebody’s mind at the SEMA show,” said KSR Team Principal Ken Stout. “It went from a thought, to CAD data, to the real thing in about 15 weeks! They also delivered it three days before their predicted deadline, very impressive indeed. We are honored to be the flagship team for TRD in the development of their supercharger.”
“This has been a collaboration of great minds with years of experience using the most sophisticated tooling in the industry,” added Stout. “Thank you to Brent Craig of TRD for allowing this project to take place and Steve Hatanaka of Scion for his instrumental part of the equation as well.”
The development of the FR-S platform is a massive project to say the least and KSR has received significant support from over 25 companies to date.
“This has been a wonderful experience to see everybody pull together,” said Stout. “World-class companies are developing race quality parts for every aspect of this car that we will put to the test and racers from around the world will use. What an exciting time for all of us! The guys are already working on the next one, but as of now this is the only TRD supercharger built for the Scion FR-S in the world. To watch the complexity of this project take place so quickly is extraordinary. Now it’s time to put it to work!”
“New product development is always exciting,” said Ted Moncure, P.E. TRD, F-Sport and Functional Accessory Design Engineering Manager.
Toyota Motor Sales USA Ken Nunn, Technical Director for Magnuson Products along with Ted Moncure also added “Coupling the latest Eaton TVS rotor technology with a dual intercooler system significantly increases boost while keeping inlet air temperatures low, improving both power and efficiency throughout the rev range. We are all very excited to see this project develop and are eager to see the results of our efforts.”
KSR’s FR-S will feature the FA-20 boxer power plant paired with the newly developed TRD supercharger to boost horsepower to competitive levels for the Pirelli World Challenge GTS class. KSR with their TRD Supercharged Scion FR-S will compete against Chevrolet Camaros, Ford Mustangs, Acura TSXs and Porsche Cayman in the Pirelli World Challenge GTS class.
Organized under the leadership of Ken Stout, award -winning motorsports commentator and automotive enthusiast, KSR has competed for seven years in various levels of motorsports and will make its sports car racing pro level debut in 2013 in Pirelli World Challenge. Since 2011, Robert Stout has been competing in GT, GS and ST classes in Grand Am. During his first year in Grand Am, Stout led numerous races and qualified as high as 2nd while earning five top 10′s and one top five in 10 GS races.
In 2013, Stout will return to Pirelli World Challenge where he had a stellar 2010 season piloting a Scion tC in Touring Car. Stout took home the Drivers’ Championship, Rookie of the Year and Sunoco Hard Charger Awards in his rookie season in Pirelli World Challenge on the strength of five wins, nine podium finishes, 11 top five results in 12 starts and one pole. Stout’s performance also led Scion to their first ever Touring Car Manufacturers’ Championship beating out Honda, Mazda and VW for the title. Stout became the youngest winner and Champion in World Challenge history at 18 years old, as well as winning the most prestigious street race in the US, the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
About Ken Stout Racing (KSR) Inc.: Ken Stout Racing, based out of Brownsburg, IN, is a factory-supported partnership with Scion/TRD. Led by Ken Stout, award-winning motorsports commentator and automotive enthusiast, the team will debut the Scion FR-S in sports car racing in the Pirelli World Challenge GTS class in 2013. Former 2010 Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car Drivers’ Champion Robert Stout will pilot the car.
Ken Stout Racing acknowledges its tremendous partners:
About Scion: Scion, from Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., was developed with a new generation of youthful buyers in mind. Scion’s mission is to provide distinctive products, the opportunity to personalize, and an innovative, consumer-driven process at the retail level. The brand features five groundbreaking models with a wide array of standard features: the xD urban subcompact five-door, the iconic xB urban utility vehicle, the tC sports coupe, the premium micro-subcompact iQ and the FR-S rear-wheel drive sports car. The Scion brand often applies new practices in all aspects of its business and pushes the creativity envelope with non-traditional advertising and marketing to engage young consumers. Scion also supports originality through its programs in the artistic community. For more information, visit RobertStoutRacing.com and Scion.com
I have known this bit of information for almost a year now when I asked Toyota Motorsports Manager Les Unger about this at the post-race press conference during last year’s Pro Celebrity Race. However, today at the Chicago Auto Show Toyota made the official announcement that the FR-S will in fact replace the tC as the Pro Celebrity racecar this year. At first glance it may look like a stock FR-S with some graphics and wheels but there is more than meets the eye here. No, I don’t mean its going to turn into a giant robot. I mean that the race engineers ripped out the interior, added a roll cage, fire system, window nets, a TRD suspension, TRD Air Box, and TRD custom exhaust system.
The air box and exhaust system increase the power output from 200 to 210. That may not seem like a lot but for a bunch of celebrities, some of which will have never even driven a manual transmission car prior to their race training, that is more than a decent amount of power!
If you want to see the new FR-S celebrity race car come together then scroll down for the official build video hosted by Scion Racing driver Ken Gushi.
CHICAGO, Feb. 7, 2013 – Toyota Motorsports and Scion announced today that the Scion FR-S sports coupe will be the official vehicle of the 2013 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. This first Pro/Celebrity race-ready vehicle is making its debut here at the Chicago Auto Show.
The Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race will take place April 20 and mark the 37th anniversary of the charity event held annually as part of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend. It also marks the first time in 27years that a rear-wheel drive sports car will serve as the designated race car.
“The transformation of the FR-S into a race vehicle is a dream come true for many die-hard FR-S fans, and we wanted to share the journey with consumers at the Chicago Auto Show,” said Doug Murtha, Scion vice president. “Scion vehicles have been driven in the Pro/Celebrity race vehicle since 2005, and we can’t wait to see the rear-wheel drive FR-S race around the historic street course.”
The race-ready, identically-prepared FR-S cars will produce 210 horsepower, equipped with performance enhancements that include a range of Toyota Racing Development (TRD) products such as: stainless-steel exhaust, coil-over shocks and springs, big brake kit featuring Hawk Performance brake pads, performance air intake and 18 inch wheels. Other custom equipment includes a Centerforce single disc racing clutch, front MacPherson struts and a rear double wishbone suspension.
A build video shows the transformation of the FR-S into a race vehicle and highlights the painstaking process and level of detail that goes into each of the 25 race vehicles created for the event.
“The newly designed Scion FR-S sports coupes are being prepared to debut in time for the 37th anniversary of one of America’s most entertaining motorsports events,” said Les Unger, Toyota national motorsports manager. “Our participants should find it easy to celebrate this year’s race theme – Revved Up to Race – sitting behind the wheel of a race-ready Scion FR-S. The drivers will compete for a chance to earn yearlong bragging rights and acknowledge charitable donations made on their behalf.“
The Toyota Pro/Celebrity race has evolved into one of the longest-running corporate-sponsored events of its kind, pitting celebrities from music, sports and film against professional race drivers. The event benefits “Racing for Kids,” a nonprofit, national fundraising program that supports children’s hospitals throughout the United States.
Since 1977, Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race participants have included many Hollywood elites such as Keanu Reeves, Ashley Judd, Adrien Brody, Cameron Diaz, George Lucas, Queen Latifah and Jay Leno. Outside the red carpet, participants include former astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, NFL star John Elway, NBA All-Star Karl Malone, X Games Champion Tony Hawk, Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton and twelve-time Olympic medalist Dara Torres.
Toyota has donated more than $2 million to the Racing for Kids organization since 1991 on behalf of the Pro/Celebrity race and its participants. In addition to Toyota’s annual contributions, a $15,000 donation will be made in conjunction with the 16th annual “People Pole Award.” Sponsored by People magazine, the award honors the pole-position winner of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race qualifying session on April 19.
To learn more about the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, or view the build video showing the transformation of the FR-S into a race vehicle, go to www.toyotaracing.com, visit our Facebook page (Toyota Racing), follow us on Twitter @ToyotaRacing or join the conversation with the participants at #TPCR.
2013 Toyota Pro / Celebrity Scion FR-S Specifications ENGINE
Type 4-cylinder, boxer type, 16-valve DOHC with Variable Valve Timing Control
Displacement 2.0L (121.9 Cu. In.)
Power 210 hp @ 7000 rpm
Induction Fuel Injection D-4S (Direct and Port Injection System) TRD Performance Air Intake
Bore X Stroke 86.0 mm X 86.0mm
Compression Ratio 12.5:1
Fuel F&L racing fuel 100 octane unleaded
Exhaust TRD stainless-steel exhaust
Motor Oil Redline 0W20 synthetic
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission 6-speed manual with Redline MTL synthetic transmission fluid
Differential Limited-slip differential
Clutch Centerforce single-disc racing clutch
CHASSIS/BODY
Chassis Unibody
Body Scion FR-S
Steering Rack-and-pinion
Graphics Vinyl graphics by Hukill Paint and Graphics
SUSPENSION
Type 4-wheel independent
Front MacPherson strut with TRD custom coil-over shocks and springs
Rear Double-wishbone with TRD custom coil-over shocks and springs
WHEELS AND TIRES
Wheels TRD 18 X 7.5 in.
Tires Bridgestone Potenza RE11, 225/40/18
Brakes 4-wheel disc with ABS and TRD big brake kit. Hawk Performance brake pads
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Safety Full roll cage, Onboard fire system, Window net, 5-point seatbelts
DIMENSIONS
Race Weight 2775 lb.
Wheelbase 101.2 in.
Overall Length 166.7 in.
Overall Width 69.9 in.
Overall Height 48.7 in.
Ground Clearance 3.0 in.
Track Width Front — 59.8 in., Rear — 60.6 in.
Fuel Capacity 13.2 gal.
When the Toyta FT-86/Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ made its debut, many speculated that while it was designed as a pure driver’s car there would probably be a convertible version coming down the pipe. At first this was just talk; then at the Long Beach Grand Prix we spotted a custom Scion FR-S roadster which added more fuel to the convertible fire. Today the fire has turned into an inferno as Toyota revealed a sketch (pictured above) the FT-86 “OPEN” concept which will make its debut at the Geneva Auto Show this year. As you can see, the OPEN concept appears to be a stock FT-86 with the full-on convertible treatment.
Toyota says that the OPEN concept is being produced as a way to gauge possible interest in a convertible FT-86, which would translate to a Scion FR-S drop top in America. What do you think? Would you be interested in an open top FR-S?
The day isn’t even half over and I am bringing you yet another SEMA 2012 preview of yet another Scion FR-S. This one comes to us from our friend Jay at JDMEGO. He designed and rendered the Rocket Bunny widebody equipped Scion FR-S you see before you for Mark Arcenal’s fatlace brand. Much like their BenSopra GT-R, the fatlace/Rocket Bunny Scion FR-S has a defintie time attack theme going on. Once glance and this thing and you automatically think “race car”. Beyond this rendering details on this car are slim but we can figure out a few things going by the “decals” on the rendering. Besides the obvious Rocket Bunny widebody kit, Toyo Tires, and Volk TE37 SL wheels, it appears that the Fatlace FR-S will also sport a KW suspension system, Brembo brakes, Takata harnesses, and BRIDE seats on the inside.
What is a real mystery are the engine performance adders. There is a GReddy decal on the rendering but I am not sure if that means there is merely a GReddy exhaust in the works or if there will be a full suite of GReddy performance parts under the hood. It looks like we will just have to wait until SEMA to find out. If you will be at SEMA this year, you can get an up close look at this car in the Scion booth. For now, click the thumbnail below for a 1920 pixel width size picture of the rendering for your viewing pleasure.
Yesterday I showed you a preview of Jon Sibal and RJ De Vera’s Scion FR-S “NuR” concept which will have a Vortech supercharger under the hood. Today, it can be confirmed that Vortech is not the only team out there looking to develop a supercharger for the FR-S. The guys at Evasive Motorsports have just received a supercharger unit from HKS for their FR-S project and they are in the process of installing it right now as you can see in the pictures. It looks like they are also getting some major help from Project Mu and Voltex on their build as well.
Knowing how the Evasive guys opperate I am pretty sure that their finished project will be all about lap times as these guys are serious track day fanatics!
Jon Sibal has been busy this season as he has lent his pen to several firms who are building SEMA project cars this year. Although I think the project car seen above might be his most personal since he worked on it with his long time friend and former Art ‘N Motion team member and Co-Founder of this site, RJ DeVera. Dubbed the “NuR” Concept this Scion FR-S was bulit in the vein of the GT3 RS, Ferrari Scuderia, and Maseratti GranTurismo MC. The theme was to create something that could be seen as a limited performance edition of the FR-S that compliments its looks while enhancing its capabilities.
This why the exterior is somewhat subtle (save for the Meguiars “Fly Yellow” paint). Aero modifications are limited to a ChargeSpeed carbon fiber lip kit and a FIVE:AD trunk mounted wing. Although you get a hint of its capabilities when you see the listed Forgeline monoblock GA1R wheels with centerlock conversion. Under each of the fenders will sit Variant 3 KW suspension pieces and a Brembo big brake kit along with two piece floating rotors will also be installed to increase stopping power. While that might seem a bit overkill for a 200HP car, it makes sense when you read the spec sheet and learn that a Vortech supercharger is being bolted on!
Yes, this will be among the first Scion FR-S’ to get a Vortech supercharger. The performance numbers should be interesting! Stay tuned for live pictures of the NuR concept from the SEMA show floor. In the meantime you can see a full size picture of the rendering by clicking the thumbnail below and you can also read the official project brief.
Base Project Car: Scion FR-S by Meguiar’s Codename:NuR Concept Project Designers:RJ de Vera – Meguiar’s Inc / Jon Sibal – Jonsibal Design Project Builders:Shoreline Motoring
Project Purpose
The goal for the Meguiar’s Scion FR-S NuR Concept was to develop a vehicle that extends and personifies the performance styling and characteristics of the already technically thrilling Scion FR-S while messaging the look and feel of the vehicle’s curvaceous lines to give it a more exotic car stance and emotion. Meguiar’s strove to create a concept that will not only look at home next to uber class sport cars but also have the performance characteristics to run with the elite.
The FR-S NuR Concept features a sportier aesthetic with the combined use of ChargeSpeed Carbon aero pieces (front lip, side skirts, and rear caps) along with FiveAD rear trunk spoiler. Forged monoblock single bolt wheels come in the form of 19 inch Forgeline GA1Rs giving the vehicle a high end high performance feel akin to an LF-A NuR, GT3 RS, or GranTurismo MC Stradale. Brembo clubsport racing calipers and large discs fill in the space behind and help this concept merge form and function into one singular thought. Raising the elegance of the vehicle the whole interior was redone in a black leather and grey alcantara combo complete with yellow contrast stitching and custom yellow seatbelts while dash panels are wrapped in Meguiar’s Carbon Black Wraptivo . The car is finished off with its trim and emblems being painted gloss black along with custom black headlight housings and red candied rear taillights.
The NuR concept is meant to not only be a looker but also a performer. To help this project string the soul of driving fun, a Vortech Supercharger system was developed to boost power and go hand-in- hand with a bespoke hi-flow mid pipe and complete exhaust system by Motiv Concepts. Pirelli’s P-Zero Corsa System tires keep the car glued to the pavement further adding to its Scuderia-esq mystic while carving duties and a properly aggressive stance are provided by KW’s Variant 3 coilover suspension.
Meguiar’s is all about car care and detailing, and so Jon and I strove to create a concept that is all about the little details. Our goal was to produce a baby exotic using the capable FR-S as the foundation. Every part and upgrade was carefully chosen to ensure that the overall feel of the car was clean and elegant yet striking and bold in personality. We partnered with like minded companies who shared our brand values of pride, passion, and performance and the drive to produce and offer only the best products. Thanks to the build talent at Shoreline Motoring the result is a vehicle concept that we are quite excited to share with other enthusiasts and fans of the car hobby. It really is all in the details. This is the FR-S that I would want to see in my garage and the one I’d love to drive each and every day.
Project Specs for the Meguiar’s FR-S NuR Concept
Aesthetics
Wheels: Forgeline Single Bolt GA1R Forged Monoblock Wheels
Front: 19×9 (ET45) Rear: 19×10 (ET53)
Forgeline Single Bolt Conversion
Exterior: ChargeSpeed Carbon Aero (Front Lip, Side Skirts, Rear Caps)
FiveAD Rear Trunk Wing
Modified Headlight and Taillight Housings
Color: Meguiar’s Fly Yellow Paint
Racing Stripe in Matte Gunmetal
Interior: Fully Redone Interior
Dash, seats, headliner, steering wheel, shifter, and floormats redone in
Black Leather & Grey Alcantara combo w yellow contrast stitching
Custom Yellow Seatbelts
Dash Panels Wrapped in Meguiar’s Carbon Black Wraptivo
Detailing : Meguiar’s Car Care Products
Performance
Exhaust: Motiv Concepts hi-flow cat mid pipe
Motiv Concepts bespoke cat-back exhaust with power coated tips
Power adder: Supercharger System by Vortech
Jay Leno is arguably one of the biggest car guys on the planet. He has a collection that rivals those of billionaires, he knows the history of not only automobiles but man-made machines in general, and he usually at the top of just about every OEM’s list when they are thinking of who they should let get first crack at their sports cars.
Although, despite all of his experiences and knowledge, when it comes to cars the one thing that Jay is relatively a newbie at is drifting. To help remedy that Jay paid a visit to the “Drift King” himself Keiichi Tsuchiya during a visit to Japan for a lesson in a Toyota GT-86 (Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ).
Can the Drift King turn Jay into a drifting pro in just one lesson? SPOILER: He doesn’t, but it is still fun to watch him try anyway so scroll down and check it out.
Yesterday I brought you a peek at Jon Sibal’s rendering of a Hyundai/Cosworth Genesis coupe. Today I show you a real picture of Super Street Magazine’s SEMA 2012 project: a Rocket Bunny widebody equipped Scion FR-S. Super Street leaked the photo above on their instagram feed just a short while ago, but they did not include many details. So far, all that is known is that it will have the Rocket Bunny kit which looks like this, and that the car will be very, very green.
I am just speculating here but with the kind of connections Super Street has, I would not rule out some type of forced induction setup as well. I guess we will have to wait until SEMA for the real details.
While the FR-S/BRZ party is just getting started here in the states, Japan has had an early start and they have spent plenty of time tinkering with the “FT86″ chassis. This means that if you happen to own either a FR-S or BRZ there are plenty of JDM goodies from across the pond for you to fawn over. Today, I present to you the new 5 piece aero kit for the Scion FR-S from Chargespeed. Compared to some of the other stuff out there the Chargespeed kit is pretty subtle as it is basically an understated lip kit that goes around all four sides (front lip, rear lower lip, side skirts) with a rear roof spoiler thrown in for flavor. Each piece of the kit is made from genuine CFRP carbon fiber (all produced in Japan).
The kit is due to release in August, and despite coming from Japan you can actually pre-order this kit right now for an MSRP of $2,280 from Chargespeed’s official US distributor. Of all the kits coming out for this chassis I see this one gaining some real popularity due to its subtle looks and quality construction. This is definitely the way to go if you want to improve looks but without going overboard or drawing unwanted attention AKA “the po-po”.
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