2016 Scion FR-S debuts with new colours and upgraded interior
Scion has unveiled the 2016 FR-S, adding two new paint options, a 7-inch touchscreen and a rear-view camera, with US pricing starting at $25,305.
Scion has officially revealed the 2016 FR-S, confirming minor updates to the affordable rear-wheel-drive coupé ahead of its arrival in US dealerships from summer 2015. The changes focus on cosmetic tweaks and new technology, rather than mechanical revisions.
Interior and technology upgrades
The main changes for 2016 are inside the cabin. Scion has fitted a new 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard, replacing the previous unit. A rear-view camera is also now standard, addressing a previous omission. Bright silver accents have been added throughout the interior to lift the cabin’s appearance.
Exterior changes are limited to two new paint options: Oceanic, a blue shade, and Ablaze, a vibrant red. The rest of the car’s bodywork and styling remain unchanged from the previous model year.
Engine and performance unchanged
Mechanically, the 2016 FR-S is unchanged. It continues with the 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder boxer engine, developed by Subaru, producing 200 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Dynamic Rev Management. The chassis specification and suspension tuning are carried over from the previous year.
Pricing and availability
Scion has set the starting price for the 2016 FR-S at $25,305 for the manual version. The automatic, which features paddle shifters and Dynamic Rev Management, is priced at $26,405. Both figures exclude a $770 handling, processing and destination fee. The 2016 model will reach US showrooms in the summer of 2015.
The FR-S remains positioned as an accessible sports car in the US market, competing with models like the Mazda MX-5. With the Scion brand’s future uncertain, Toyota would later announce its discontinuation in 2016, this update represents one of the final tweaks before the model transitions to the Toyota badge. For more on the brand’s fate, see Toyota Ends Scion Brand After 12 Years, Models to Carry Toyota Badge
