Scion announces heritage-inspired 2015 FR-S Release Series 1.0 special edition

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Sometimes it’s hard to see the point of Toyota’s Scion youth brand, but it is very good at churning out special-edition cars.

Scion regularly creates Release Series versions of its models (the xB is currently on Release Series 9.0) with unique paint schemes, trim and other options, but so far the brand’s most interesting model – the FR-S – hasn’t gotten the treatment.

Scion took care of that oversight last week at the 2014 New York Auto Show, where it unveiled the FR-S Release Series 1.0.

According to Scion’s press spiel, the FR-S Release Series was inspired by the motorsport heritage of Toyota Racing Development (TRD), which is fitting, considering that the FR-S itself is viewed by many as the reincarnation of fondly-remembered Toyota performance cars like the Corolla AE86.

All of that racing heritage is translated into vivid Yuzu yellow paint, a lowered stance, and some subtle body modifications including a quad-tip exhaust system. HID headlights with LED daytime running lights complete the package.

On the inside, the FR-S Release Series gets bespoke black seats, and a TRD steering wheel, shift knob, and cargo mat. Extra convenience comes in the form of a “Smart Key” with push-button start, and dual-zone automatic air conditioning.

The Release Series is mechanically unchanged, so buyers still get a Subaru-derived 2.0-liter direct-injection boxer-four with 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque, and a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

The FR-S Release Series may not have the luxurious features of more expensive limited-edition cars, but it will be fairly exclusive. Only 1,500 will be made.

Those cars will arrive in showrooms this August, carrying a base price of around $30,000. It’s among the cheapest ways to ensure that your new car will be the only one of its kind on the block.