Gazoo Racing Upgrades the Scion FR-S
By Jake Lingeman
Since the 2013 Subaru BRZ and the 2013 Scion FR-S met the public last month, all people want to talk about is when a turbo or supercharged version is coming out. It seems 200 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque just isn't enough.
Japanese firm Gazoo Racing decided not to wait for the factory and built a supercharged—and turbocharged—Toyota 86 (our Scion FR-S) that it's calling the Gazoo Racing Sport FR.
The result of the build is a power output of 320 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. That's more than enough to dominate the local Mazda guys at your home track, though you probably won't be in the same class, anymore.
The supercharger handles the boost in the low revs, while the turbocharger takes care of the power in the upper ranges. Gazoo also reprograms the engine-management software to make it work and adds a high-flow exhaust system.
Not content with leaving the body in stock form, Gazoo added a full bodykit, upgraded suspension, better brakes, lightweight wheels and a racing spoiler.
These parts probably won't be available from the factory. But since Toyota's TRD will race four cars in the upcoming Nürburgring endurance races, we hope that it will make some factory hop-up parts available to the public.
Content provided by Autoweek.
Get more Car News from Autoweek.
Get the latest Car Reviews from Autoweek.
All cars in this category will have aftermarket performance parts available whether they have powerfull engines to begin with or not. That is nothing new and in no way indicates that the model is inferior to the competition.
With that said, the ONLY problem I have with the new FR-S/BRZ is the starting price. They are already $3k to $4k too expensive compared to the competition and adding these aftermarket parts will only raise that price further. I understand that specialty sports cars will always run a little more expensive then other cars, but Toyota/Subaru really dropped the ball on this one.
For the money they are asking, there are just too many other options on the market that give you more.
I think you are letting your extraordinary dislike of Toyotas cloud your vision. The Scion FR-S appears to be one of the best cars that Toyota has released since the MR-2 Spyder a decade ago, and should prove to be one great sports car. I for one am giddy with excitement at the prospects of getting one later in the summer/early fall.
The only thing that is holding me back from saying it WILL be a great sports car is the simple fact that I haven't test driven one yet. However, the reviews from Car and Driver and here on Exhaust Notes look very promising. Provided that the FR-S passes my "Cindarella" test this fall, this will probably be my next car, and I couldn't be more excited.
One can only hope that Toyota will offer a Scion FR-S supercharged FACTORY car and Subaru a STi TURBO model next year.
If not, I know that my 2006 Subaru STi 2.5L engine will bolt into either car very easily. But a stronger RWD transmission(Cusco sells a 2wd trans conversion for the STi) factory and stronger rear diff are also a must.
Toyota and Subaru will fail miserbly if they do not offer a much more powerful version of these cars. Hyundai has the Genesis Coupe and for 2012 it has Brembo brakes, LSD rear diff , 6 spd manual trans, choice of a BIG V6 good for 340+ hp or a lightweight 4cyl turbo now rated to a mighty 274hp from the factory.
Given the choices, I am likely going with the Genesis Coupe as my next new car over winter(into 2013) as I already have a heavily modified 06 STi that will be paid off in December and be track dedicated after that. Need a another reasonably priced fun car and the Genesis Coupe is superior in every way.
EXPLORE NEW CARS
MORE ON MSN AUTOS
ABOUT EXHAUST NOTES
Cars are cool, and here at MSN Autos we love everything about them, but we also know they're more than simply speed and style: a car is an essential tool, a much-needed accessory to help you get through your day-to-day life. What you drive is also one of the most important investments you can make, so we'll help you navigate your way through the car buying and ownership experiences. We strive to be your daily destination for news, notes, tips and tricks from across the automotive world. So whether it's through original content from our world-class journalists or the latest buzz from the far corners of the Web, Exhaust Notes helps you make sense of your automotive world.
Have a story idea? Tip us off at exhaustnotes@live.com.
