Scion FR-S: It’s All in the Springs

One of the few performance differences between Toyota's Scion FR-S sports car and its co-developed twin, Fuji Heavy Industry's Subaru BRZ, is suspension spring rates.

The settings for the $24,900 FR-S ($26,000 with automatic transmission) are softer in front and stiffer in back than the BRZ, according to Toyota. The company tells reporters the FR-S's spring rates handle bumpy roads better and deliver more agility under racetrack conditions.

The BRZ and FR-S 2+2 cars are powered by Subaru's naturally aspirated 2.0-liter "boxer" four-cylinder engine that produces 200 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. The mill is fitted with Toyota's "D-4S" fuel injection system that blends full-time direct injection with additional sequential port injection to boost mid-range torque at certain engine speeds and loads. Toyota and Subaru say the engine's flat design results in an unusually low center of gravity for both cars.

Power for the FR-S is delivered to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic engineered for "aggressive" upshifts and rev-matched downshifts, according to Toyota. A Sport mode shifts quicker and holds selected gears longer during acceleration. Both gearboxes have a 4:10:1 final drive ratio.

The engine, which requires premium-grade gasoline, has U.S. Environmental Protection Agency combined fuel economy ratings of 25 mpg for the manual and 28 mpg for the automatic.

Toyota says the FR-S's styling was inspired by the long hood and low roofline of the company's 1960s-era 2000GT grand touring coupe, whose own lines evoke the iconic Jaguar XK-E sports car.

Standard equipment for the Scion FR-S includes 17-inch alloy wheels, halogen headlamps, LED taillights, cruise control, aluminum sport pedals and a 300-watt sound system with eight speakers. The car comes with two years of no-charge roadside assistance and factory-scheduled maintenance.