2013 Scion FR-S

CAR GARAGE | 2013 Scion FR-S | The antithesis of modern sports cars, Toyota set out to create it as Such, purposefully avoiding AWD, turbos, excessive technology and even high grip tires. It's not the raw driving machine many may expect. It is, however, very much a purist's car and one company CEO Akio Toyoda That aptly remarked, "rewards proper driving technique." Instead, the basic front-engine rear-drive layout, combined with a low center of gravity (due to its flat-4 boxer engine), a limited slip differential and an overall Curb weight That comes in around 2.700 lbs are the tools at the disposal of the driver.

Like the Mazda MX-5 Miata, a car the FR-S will be compared to ad nauseum, it's a momentum car, meaning That with just 200-hp on tap, if you're going to be fast around a race track, you 'll need to keep your speed up. Even torque feels surprisingly potent, Despite just 151 lb-ft of the stuff at a Lofty 6600 rpm - suggesting a solid torque curve. After just one corner there is no denying this is a rear-drive car.

The steering wheel is thick but also incredibly tiny making every input count. At just 365mm, Toyota claims it's the smallest they've ever put in a production car - at least in recent history. That is Perhaps a bit generous, as even Toyota will admit That while the concept behind the car is theirs, execution was primarily handled by Subaru - an automaker That one does not have to pull out a history book in order to recall Their awesome last machine performance.

Located right in front of the shifter are two buttons, one for a sport mode, the other to turn the traction and stability control right off.  It's unique Because It's the world's only direct-injection flat-four, rear-drive sports car, but go well beyond the Reasons the facts, to the level of driving enjoyment it delivers.