Scion has made a handful of minor improvements to the FR-S in time for the 2016 model year.
The vast majority of the upgrades are found inside, where the FR-S benefits from a brand new infotainment system that features voice recognition technology. The central component of the system is a seven-inch touch screen that also displays the images transmitted by the newly-standard rear-view camera.
The new infotainment system is complemented by a more powerful stereo and by bright silver accents on the steering wheel, the center console and the dashboard. The FR-S also gains two new colors, a red called Ablaze and a blue dubbed Oceanic.
Sadly, persistent rumors of a turbocharged FR-S have not materialized yet and the coupe carries on without any major mechanical modifications. Like its Subaru-badged twin, the FR-S uses a 2.0-liter flat-four engine that makes 200 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 151 foot-pounds of torque at 6,400 rpm.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission, though buyers who prefer to go clutch-less can order a six-speed sequential automatic gearbox controlled by shift paddles at an extra cost. Fitted with three pedals, the FR-S sprints from zero to 60 mph in a little over six seconds.
The 2016 Scion FR-S is scheduled to go on sale across the nation in the next few weeks and the first examples will land on dealer lots in early June. Slightly more expensive than the outgoing model, the coupe will carry a base price of $25,305 when ordered with a six-speed manual transmission and $26,405 when fitted with a six-speed automatic. These figures exclude a mandatory $770 destination charge.
What’s next?
For years, rumors indicated that Scion would build a long list of FR-S off-shoots including a hybrid, a turbocharged model, a convertible and even a sedan. The company has categorically ruled out both the convertible and the sedan for costs reasons, but a gasoline-electric drivetrain could join the lineup before the end of the FR-S’ production run.
