The Scion FR-S Won’t Be Rebadged As The Toyota GT86
Following Toyota’s announcement about the discontinuation of the Scion brand earlier this week, there was a common theme in the comments section of the report. Given that all Scion models bar the tC are due to be badged as Toyotas from the 2017 model year onwards, many were pleased at the prospect of the Scion FR-S finally being badged as the Toyota GT86 in North America, as it is in Europe.
The press release made no mention of the GT86 name the car is given in Europe however, so we asked Toyota USA what the rebranded car would be called. We were told that the “current plans” are to keep the FR-S badge, creating the ‘Toyota FR-S’.
While this will in some ways simplify things for the rear-wheel drive sports car - it’ll only be sold under two brands rather than three - this now means that Toyota will sell it under four different names worldwide. FR-S in North America, GT86 in Europe and New Zealand, 86 in Asia, Australia and South America, and (weirdly) FT-86 in Jamaica and Nicaragua.
Meanwhile, a partially camouflaged, lightly refreshed version of the Toyobaru - most likely the 2017 Toyota FR-S - has been spotted undergoing testing.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Its smart on Toyota part. Have you ever talked to a non gear head about the toyotabaru. Most people don’t even know the brz and the frs are the same. We know all about it but most people don’t. To call it a different name would confuse people. Most people are idiots (especially here in America) so Toyota making it easier on people to understand that it’s now a Toyota and not a scion but still the same car it makes sense. Heck people rebage it already as a GT 86 and swap out scion for Toyota now it’s just one less step.
I wonder if anyone would put on a “Trueno” or “Levin” badge on it?
Well… buy Subaru then ;D
If I ever come to own one I’m rebadging it as a GT86
Import the badges, do it yourself.
good news for subaru i guess
Time to start a business rebadging FRS’s to GT86’s, Toyota will do half the work for you.
For once, Facebook comments are smarter than CT comments.
The reason they did that is simply because they won’t offer as much as the european spec GT86 in terms of options (in my opinion) …I know it’s not a good reason but sueing people in the USA is a popular hobby…
Automotive engineers spend literal years designing a vehicle for perfect flow and efficiency. I understand individualism and the need to make things your own. But like everything anyone comes up with is entitled criticism all thought I agree with CT on all of these.