A Toyota executive may have doused cold water on hopes of a turbocharged Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ, citing poor sales in all markets.

"A faster version of that car would be at the top of most people's wish lists, but like the cabriolet, it is hard to justify a business case to push either model into production based on the current sales," Toyota's VP of European R&D, Gerald Killman, told Auto Express.

The company is reportedly confused about the platform's sales performance, after the cars were extremely well received by the automotive press, though Killman personally believes the engine "could use a little bit more."

Subaru has teased a STI-badged BRZ, however the company's special editions are mostly focused on aesthetic tweaks. All platform variants currently utilize the same 200-horsepower four-banger, forcing power-hungry tuners to bolt on their own aftermarket turbocharger to raise output.

Separate reports suggest Toyota may be preparing to resurrect its Supra nameplate, potentially as a production version of the FT-1 concept, while a new entry-level sports car is expected to be slotted below the FR-S with a $16,000 price tag and a 2017 launch target.

The FR-S Release Series 1.0 is meant to draw on Toyota’s track heritage, although we’re not exactly sure how. The car does comes with a number of performanceupgrades from TRD but these are limited to new quad-exhaust tips, lowered springs and some aero pieces.

All 1,500 examples will be finished in a bright yellow known as Yuzu, and they’ll also come with HID headlamps with LED daytime running lights. Inside the vehicles, unique elements include a TRD steering wheel, shifter knob and trunk mat as well as black-trimmed seats and a numbered plaque located just before the gear shifter.

The good news is that the price of the FR-S Release Series 1.0 is expected to start below $30k, although it may exceed that once you add Scion’s usual $755 destination charge. Final pricing will be announced closer to the car’s sales launch this August.

Toyota 86 to go turbo

Convertible and four-door – with turbo and AWD-hybrid powertrains -- to join expanding Toyota 86 sports car family from this year

Toyota will launch sedan, convertible and turbo versions of the ground-breaking 86 sports car.

motoring.com.au sources in Japan this week confirmed the world’s number one car maker will round out its 86 line-up with a soft-top convertible as early as this year. This will be followed by a four-door sedan set for a 2016 debut. The four door will offer turbocharged and all-wheel drive and well as turbo-hybrid powertrains.

Born from the collaboration between Toyota and Subaru, the boxer-engined Toyota 86 coupe is a watershed model for a brand that plans to significantly expand its sports car line-up over the next decade.

After the Supra and MR2 were axed from the car-maker’s range, Toyota’s showroom floor paid absolute homage to a horde of hybrids, people-movers and SUVs, with a distinct lack of anything resembling emotion.

We’ve brought you news of a stretched 86 before, but according to our source the 86 sedan will stretch in length by 510mm to 4750mm, while retaining its current width (1780mm) and growing 100mm in height to 1400mm.

One designer we spoke to said that his team’s aim is to give the car the larger dimensions it needs to comfortably seat four adults while maintaining the original 86’s good looks.

As critical as the sedan’s proportions will be its powertrain. To cater for the larger and heavier sedan, Toyota is preparing two engines.

The flagship version will incorporate a revised version of Subaru’s DIT (Direct Injection Turbo) boxer engine generating more than 220kW (a 2.0-litre for Japan, 2.5 for export markets), married to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

In perhaps the best news for performance enthusiasts, the same turbo engines will finally find their way into the existing 86 coupe around the same time (2016), probably as part of a midlife makeover.

The turbo coupe is expected to command a price premium of around $5000.

Given Toyota’s bent for hybrids, you can guess what the other 86 sedan powertrain will be. Yep, a hybrid.

But according to our source, the boxer-hybrid fitted to Subaru’s XV Crosstrek is not powerful enough for the 86 sedan. So Toyota is readying a hybrid unit that’s compatible with Subaru’s direct-injection boxer engine.

To deliver all-wheel-drive traction, Toyota is also working on in-wheel electric motors at the front, an addition that will undoubtedly push the price of the hybrid 86 sedan up to around $50,000.

That’s why the turbo version will precede the hybrid’s launch by several months, landing in showrooms priced from under $40,000 by mid-2016.

The soft-top 86 convertible however, will arrive much earlier -- in October this year.

First unveiled at the 2013 Geneva motor show, the FT-86 Open Concept pointed to way to the convertible’s styling.

Fitted with a power roof that’s expected to fold down inside 20 seconds, the convertible is a variant that Toyota had planned from the very beginning of the collaborative effort with Subaru.

The power roof will add upwards of 30kg to the original coupe’s kerb weight, but the convertible will still employ the same 147kW 2.0-litre boxer engine.

However, expect some minor modifications to the two-door convertible’s suspension to account for its extra mass.

To be priced between $35,000 and $38,000 (in Japan), the 86 convertible is expected in showrooms globally by mid-October.

http://www.motoring.com.au/news/spor...go-turbo-43275

Bolder and Better for Summer: 2015 Scion FR-S Improves Dynamics and Appearance

Extra Touches Added, New Pricing Announced, for 2015 FR-S and tC Models

TORRANCE, Calif., (May 15, 2014) – Everybody wants to look and feel their best for summer and the 2015 Scion FR-S is no exception. The new model year FR-S features enhanced tuning and improved looks while the 2015 tC sports coupe receives new colors and a sporty feature to bring on the summer fun. Both models will go on sale in early June with new manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP).

"We're happy to bring the FR-S and tC into a new model year with features and prices that will excite our customers," Scion Vice President Doug Murtha said. "These two siblings come ready for drivers to make them their own and conquer new roads wherever they go."

Scion FR-S

The FR-S is known for its outstanding dynamics, which are taken to a new level for 2015. The 2015 Scion FR-S features better handling and stability thanks to a more rigid front suspension and re-tuning of the rear shock absorbers. The improved damping results in less body roll and a more communicative driving experience.

For better aerodynamics, the smooth look of a shark-fin antenna replaces the pole antenna found in previous models. The exhaust tips are now larger and more flush with the rear bumper. Inside the vehicle, drivers will notice the addition of auto on/off headlights and an updated interior panel with a carbon fiber look, as well as a new key design.

The 2015 Scion FR-S MSRP is $24,900 with a six-speed manual transmission or $26,000 with a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Dynamic Rev Management® technology. Steel replaces Argento as a sleek silver color and Whiteout has been replaced by Halo, a pearl white available for an additional $395 fee.

Scion tC

Inside all 2015 tC vehicles with automatic transmissions drivers will now enjoy steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters to enhance the sporty driving experience. Also for 2015 are two new colors; Cosmic Gray replaces Classic Silver and Super White has been replaced by Blizzard Pearl, which is available for an additional $395 fee.

The 2015 Scion tC MSRP is $19,210 with a six-speed manual transmission or $20,360 with a six-speed automatic transmission and Dynamic Rev Management® technology.

Scion Pricing Chart

SCION FR-S (MT) – $24,900
SCION FR-S (AT) – $26,000
SCION tC (MT) – $19,210
SCION tC (AT) – $20,360

All prices listed above exclude the delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $755.

For better aerodynamics, the smooth look of a shark-fin antenna replaces the pole antenna