Scion FR-S: 0-60 & Quarter Mile Times

‍What are the 0-60 times for the Scion FR-S?

Equipped with a Subaru boxer four-cylinder engine and tuned to high performance by Toyota engineers, the FR-S was a speedy little beast. Here are the 0 - 60 mph times, along with the quarter mile marks. The data is based on several internet sources.

When the Scion FR-S made it debut in 2012 for the MY2013, it created quite a stir. The GT86 had an impressive following in international markets, and now with the introduction of the model for North America (named FR-S and offered by Scion), it seemed as if the little sports car would take off. The car earned a couple of accolades along with the long list of awards its clone, the GT86, received. In 2012, US News awarded the Scion FR-S as the Best Affordable Sports Car and Car and Drivers Top Ten List. The car also earned a top safety pick by the IIHS (Insurance Insititute of Highway Safety), which was virtually unheard of with a small, speedy sports car.

What Kind of Engine was offered in the Scion FRS?

To their credit, Toyota used the same engine for all three offerings; the 86, Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ. The engine used Subaru’s flat-four boxer engine design, with Gas Direct Injection engineered by Toyota’s D-4S system. The engine was capable of 200 hp and 151 lb/ft of torque. The engine created such a buzz that it made the Top Ten List of Ward’s Best Engines. The vehicle required premium fuel, which most customers didn’t seem to mind opening their wallets to pay more at the pump.

Owners had a choice of transmissions, a 6 speed manual or automatic based on what Toyota had been successful using in their Lexus IS 250 models. The automatic transmission had three drive modes; Sport, Normal and Snow designed to handle various road conditions.

The Scion FR-S hugged the road, and handled excellently through the curves. The boxer engine allowed for a low center of gravity and a 0,27 coefficient of drag. With McPherson Struts in the front and a wishbone suspension in the rear, it was more than a match for the sport cars that were being offered by competitors.

What Kind of Marketing Program did the FRS have?

To whet the appetite for the Scion, Toyota used a a couple of unique marketing ideas. One was a model that Scion had been using effectively. This simplified pricing strategy, Scion offered a basic model with only two trims (Premium and Limited) in the United States. Customers could choose their transmission and color, but not much else. This method simplified production and allowed Toyota the ability to sell additional accessories should the customer want to modify their vehicle. Only 10,000 units were allocated to the United States, and only 6,000 for Subaru as the BRZ.

In addition, before the vehicle went on sale in the showrooms of dealers, the Scion FR-S allowed customers to register and prebuy the vehicle. Basically, Scion launched their first “86” program, which gave potential owners 8 hours and 6 minutes to go online, register for one of the initial offerings of the car, pay a 500 dollar deposit. They were then instructed to head to the dealer with their printed receipt in hand, and the dealer completed the order and took delivery of the car when it rolled off the line.

Why Did Scion Stop Making Cars?

Initially designed to attract a younger buyer, Scion enjoyed some initial success with the xB and tC seemed to be tapping into the market of building a cheaper vehicle

Customers Got Bored - Sales Never Materialized

Part of the issue with Scion is that even though there was a lot of buzz, there just weren’t enough sales. After a couple of years, consumers were more attracted to the iconic Nissan GT-R and the 2013 muscle-car Camaro. Honestly, the sports car market became bored with the offerings Scion had. Instead of being on the cutting edge of vehicle production by introducing new concepts, Scion decided to stay pat. Other than a few front fascia tweaks, there were no other significant changes to be noted by Scion. It was as if they had made an excellent sports car in 2013 and decided they had done enough to earn some well-deserved relaxation. Unfortunately, many buyers didn’t share that sentiment.

The Car Had Mechanical Issues

Unfortunately, the FR-S was not as reliable as it should have been. According to Repairpal.com, the reliability of the Scion FR-S received low ratings primarily due to its propensity to lose oil. Head gaskets tended to wear out quickly (which is not unusual for a sports car). In addition, over 400,000 reports of broken valve springs caused customers to have to replace their engines. Many of these owners found that the engine replacement was not covered under their warranties.

The Scion FR-S Lives On!

In 2017, Toyota decided to absorb the Scion brand name and consolidate it under the Toyota banner. They have continued to offer the FR-S under the international name of Toyota 86. Subaru has continued offering the BRZ as its sports car offering. In 2023, both cars were considered top safety picks by the IIHS. The 2022 model has begun the second generation, and the car keeps Toyota firmly entrenched in the sports car market.