The Scion FR-S Won’t Be Rebadged As The Toyota GT86
Following Toyota’s announcement about the discontinuation of the Scion brand earlier this week, there was a common theme in the comments section of the report. Given that all Scion models bar the tC are due to be badged as Toyotas from the 2017 model year onwards, many were pleased at the prospect of the Scion FR-S finally being badged as the Toyota GT86 in North America, as it is in Europe.
The press release made no mention of the GT86 name the car is given in Europe however, so we asked Toyota USA what the rebranded car would be called. We were told that the “current plans” are to keep the FR-S badge, creating the ‘Toyota FR-S’.
While this will in some ways simplify things for the rear-wheel drive sports car - it’ll only be sold under two brands rather than three - this now means that Toyota will sell it under four different names worldwide. FR-S in North America, GT86 in Europe and New Zealand, 86 in Asia, Australia and South America, and (weirdly) FT-86 in Jamaica and Nicaragua.
Meanwhile, a partially camouflaged, lightly refreshed version of the Toyobaru - most likely the 2017 Toyota FR-S - has been spotted undergoing testing.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Takumi is disgusted.
So what’ll it be now? It won’t be debadged… Will it still be made?
I could do a whole rant on how much I hate this. I know it’s just a name but still, I hoped that we would finally get a car that paid homage to the AE86 in both spirit and name.
Because a set of badges for $10 is so absurd?
Im sure that you could just replace the FRS with GT86 or 86, like many scion owners have, a name is just a name, the owners know what the car is.
Then why don’t you post the rant as a blog? Can see that being popular :)
Yeah you’re right! ;)
Kinda dumb to keep the FR-S name… Why not call it GT86 like the original car, like it is supposed to be! I mean it’s a TOYOTA…
Original car is the Toyota GT86 (just 86 in Japan)
I totaly agree. I was so hoping the ending of scion would mark a new start for toyota. And they would go back to their roots a little. Bring the 86 to the us, start making cars that rival the competition. That are good quality, fun and sideways. But it would appear im going to be disappointed.
At least it has those 86/boxer badges on the sides though
i wish they would call it the gt86 because it sounds more grown up then FRS
Yeah right! ;)
So dumb to keep the FR-S name… Why not call it GT86 like the original car, like it is supposed to be! I mean it’s a TOYOTA…
i’m pretty sure its marketed as the gt86 here in New Zealand
It is. Merica is just weird
Isn’t there a car called Subaru BRZ which essentially is the exact same car
It is it was a joint project between Toyota and Subaru
The Scion looks pissed.
The frs is looking at you like it dishonored it’s family name…
I call it the toyobaru 86
STI86
And then there are the guys here in germany, who install scion badges to confuse the people. Because a lot dont even know the car :D
That’s what I’d do with the Toyota, but if I was buying one if want it in mica blue so it’d be a Subaru for me lol.
agreed. same here in turkey.
they put scion badges to make it look different.
and also for more resale value lol
Here in America, Scion badges confuse people too!
Me: “I need a battery”
Him: “What car?”
Me: “2006 Scion xA”
Him: “Scion…. who makes that?”
Me: “It’s parent company is Toyota, its one of their separate brands”
Him: Flips through parts book “Toyota Sienna?”
Me: “No, Scion is the brand.”
Him: flips through more pages “Scion? How do you spell that?”
Me: *It’s right there on that page.”
Him: “Ooooh. What was the model again?”
This is another case of “Whatever” … unless they put a proper 400HP engine in it … it don’t matter
What are you smoking? The STI doesn’t have 400hp so why would the BRZ/86