This really isn’t a huge surprise, but we all kept our fingers crossed hoping that Scion would eventually come out with a turbocharged model to pump even more performance into an already great sports car. Currently the FR-S is powered by a 2.0-liter with 200 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, and with a price tag of $24,930 with a manual transmission, it’s a great bang for the buck.
But the price tag is what is limiting Scion from developing a turbocharged variant. By offering a turbocharged model, pricing could near the $30,000 mark at which point consumers have a variety of options to choose from. Besides, Scion models were never meant to be that expensive. We still hope that TRD will release a supercharger option for the FR-S, similar to what it gives current Scion tC owners.
There’s still hope for the Japanese Toyota GT 86. As part of the Toyota moniker, the Japanese automaker could possibly offer a turbocharged variant of its sports car, but again, we wouldn’t hold our breath on that.
Subaru, on the other hand, has enjoyed success with its turbocharged WRX STi, so it’s possible that it would offer a turbocharged BRZ. Pricing isn’t as big of an issue for Subaru customers, with the STi well over the $30,000 mark.
In an interview with Auto Express UK however, Subaru global marketing manager Atoshi Atake said the BRZ will not be turbocharged due to the lack of room at the front of the engine bay for an intercooler. More importantly, he said that Subaru would “want to keep turbocharging separate. It is for models like the WRX STi.”
While that sounds like Subaru is throwing out a turbocharged model out the window as well, we have strong beliefs that market demand will ultimately bring a BRZ Turbo to consumers. Subaru rejected the idea of a supercharger in the same interview, saying it would make fuel efficiency an issue.
Regardless, it seems that both automakers are content with how the BRZ, FR-S, and GT 86 are performing from the factory. But who wouldn’t want to see a turbocharged version of any of them?
