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
Looks like toyota didn’t want to… 86 it.
hehehe Anyone? No? okay…
But in true fashion it’ll still still boxer badge with the number’s “86” on th side of it….. I get that maintaining the FRS name is good marketing because well let’s face it, the general public is just down right stupid and only us car folk will be enraged a litte
Or… you know… hop onto eBay and spend $20 on some GT86 badges. :P
Darn it :(
Jusylt call it a Celica, then everybody will get one, kinda like the Taurus. Oh, and bring back the Supra as something respectable.
I understand why they’re keeping the name, but it does make for a great missed opportunity. Hopefully the refresh will bring some nicer lighting options, nicer interior quality and design, and please, just little bit more power! 240HP? Please!
It would have been much easier if the car was named Toyota 86 worldwide. I seriously don’t get why marketing needs to makes things way too complicated :/
So basically you get the gt86 chassis but you also get to chose between the names gt86 and fr-s… what?
Haha! The US model is now the Toyota 86!!! Finally!