FT-86 to be Badged as a Scion; Cost $25,000

[AutoGuide.com]

Toyota‘s FT-86 Concept will make it to market as a Scion in North America, likely sporting the name FR-S. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Toyota dealers were made aware of the decision by the corporate brass at a recent meeting in Las Vegas.

The decision help build-up the Scion brand, with a new flagship RWD model, however, it won’t help Toyota as it seeks to rebrand itself as a more youth-focused company. The other down-side of this revelation is news that the Scion FR-S could cost as much as $25,000 – significantly more than the $20,000 price tag originally promised.

According to other reports the Scion FR-S could get a 2.5-liter version of the Subaru boxer 4-cylinder in the U.S. while other markets are likely to get the 2.0-liter version.

The official reveal of the production model Scion FR-S is likely to occur at the 2011 New York Auto Show.

Read more Toyota FT-86 Will be Badged as a Scion; Cost $25,000 at AutoGuide.com

[BLUEMEANIE]

I figured it would be. Hopefully the price tag keeps the d-bag ricers away.

[coop3422]

hmmm, to be honest unless its boosted at $25k, I may look at other avenues. This does decrease my interest a little. Of course I'll reserve judgment until I can drive one, but I think this may result in an overall excitement drop, as well as being a Scion instead of a Toyota. Not a big deal to me, but will be for some I'm sure.

[BLUEMEANIE]

It is a big deal to some ... why, I don't get. I really like my tC and if it had been badged a Toyota Celica, which it essentially is, I wouldn't have thought any different. Its not like there's a Toyota variant that is any better. ...same goes for the FR-S.

I agree. At $25k it should be boosted.

[Fyrelith]

Well this changes everything for me unfortunately... There is no Scion dealer here where I live in Canada, only Toyota.... and Subaru. I have been on the fence about whether to go Toyota or Subaru honestly, even being a huge Toyota fan. The new WRX STi (coupe not wagon) is a beautiful car and I have been hoping that this was Toyota's chance to bring something similar to the Supra/Celica GT4 back to the name. If Toyota were to only offer the non turbo version of the engine in their version, I would have gone Subaru, basically that was the only thing that would send me away from the Toyota over the Subaru... If it's a Scion, then I guess they made my decision for me

[BLUEMEANIE]

^ There are are several dealers in ON, BC and QC (scionnation.ca) and I think many more coming. If servicing is the issue, with no Scion dealers in your immediate area I would think you could just take it to any Toyota or Lexus dealership.

[Fyrelith]

Servicing is only partially the issue, the main issue is I would have to buy it from ON and get it shipped to NL. Also I am a mechanic and know a few mechanics down at our Toyota dealership, they always have to order parts for Scion vehicles because they don't stock them. Also Toyota is the only place I could take it, we have no Lexus dealership either. Again it still goes back to my main concern with the Toyota version, it's powerplant vs the Subaru...

[coop3422]

the big thing for me is going to be performance vs price tag. At $25,000, I don't think 200hp N/A will cut it, even with rwd and 6spd. TBH I'm not concerned between it being toyota/scion, as long as it could be serviced at a Toyota dealership since that's all we have here. But the big thing for me, for not much more money I could get a lot more car.

I hope they don't let me down, but right now it seems bleak

[FT86-guy]

For me its not the brand name. It could be a KIA and I would still buy it. But the price does make me think twice. I can get a faster more well equiped Hyundai Genesis 2.0T for less money than that. Hopefully they don't price it at 25k unless its boosted with enough options to justify the 25k price tag.

[car_crazy]

i think its a bad idea to do this. toyota said before that they are hoping the ft-86 will help make toyota an "exciting" brand again. but how will that be possible if they rebrand this as a scion. i know theyre pretty much the same company. but toyota needs this more badly than scion does. plus scion is supposed to be getting a baby ft-86 anyway thats based on the grmn concept.

[Driftr]

I dont care about brand name as long as its reliable and for 25k it better be loaded with goodies or most people will look elsewhere plus when was the last time time Toyota came out with a new sports car Toyota definitely needs this car.

[BLUEMEANIE]

i think its a bad idea to do this. toyota said before that they are hoping the ft-86 will help make toyota an "exciting" brand again. but how will that be possible if they rebrand this as a scion. i know theyre pretty much the same company. but toyota needs this more badly than scion does. plus scion is supposed to be getting a baby ft-86 anyway thats based on the grmn concept.

IMHO, by upscaling the Scion brand Toyota will bring back what they're missing while shaking the stigma Scions carry with some people and not upsetting the current positive image Toyota vehicles have with their own loyal buyers.
Plus, the FR-S is not likely to bring actual sales into a Toyota dealership. Make it a Scion and you'll sell more of the other cars associated with the lifestyle to potential buyers on a tighter budget. On the flip side, you're not gonna sell a Camry to someone shopping for a Scion or 'tuner' type car.
For a large long lived company a cohesive brand is more valuable in the in the grand scheme than a single exciting element. With the FR-S as a Scion, they have two cohesive brands. One with excitement to draw people in and one for people to reliably grow with when once they've had a sip of the kool-aid.

I dont care about brand name as long as its reliable and for 25k it better be loaded with goodies or most people will look elsewhere plus when was the last time time Toyota came out with a new sports car Toyota definitely needs this car.

When the tC came out it was pretty loaded. Remember, at the time it was the only car in its price range to get mp3/ipod, pass/drive+knee airbags standard, panoramic moon roof, decent power, sporty styling, etc. My guess/hope is that Toyota will stick with this pattern.