[Gotcha]

Sales of the Scion FR-S have been struggling recently. The company sold just 893 in march, which is down from 1464 the same month last year. Scion is hoping to boost sales with an update for the 2016 model.

The interior gets a nice change with new, silver-colored trim on the dashboard, steering wheel, doors, and centre console, along with a new (and standard) 7.0" touch-screen display. There is also a new backup camera, two new exterior colors (Ablaze Red and Oceanic Blue), and a small $405 bump in the price. The price now sits at $26,075 with an extra $1100 for the six-speed, paddle-shifted automatic transmission.

Not sure if that will be enough to reverse the FR-S's fortunes, but it certainly is a nice collection of upgrades.

Scion Updates FR-S for 2016 ?*News ?*Car and Driver | Car and Driver Blog

 

[SiM]

Giving it more performance and veering away from its lacking naturally aspirated power unit is the better way to go IMO.

A major downside is power.

 

[Briggs]

I think these updates sound great, but its not like they will increase sales that much. I don't think people have been waiting in the wings and now they will decide to buy because of this.

 

[SiM]

I think these updates sound great, but its not like they will increase sales that much. I don't think people have been waiting in the wings and now they will decide to buy because of this.

No one is expecting that.

But this is the trend from year to year when changes are done that improve a vehicle, sales pick up initially for that new model year compared to the last months of the last year model.

 

[Gotcha]

No one is expecting that.

But this is the trend from year to year when changes are done that improve a vehicle, sales pick up initially for that new model year compared to the last months of the last year model.

I mean they must be expecting a bit of a sales increase or else what is the point of investing that money. To what level they expect a sales increase in another question, and I think the proper question to be asking here.

 

[SiM]

I mean they must be expecting a bit of a sales increase or else what is the point of investing that money. To what level they expect a sales increase in another question, and I think the proper question to be asking here.

They sure aren't doing it for fun, of course they're looking to maintain or kick sales up a notch, that's common knowledge.

With how poor the FR-S has been selling, they can only expect as much as they're willing to put into it and a much as the market responds, which it isn't doing so much of.

 

[Briggs]

It's a bit of a tough segment too. Not many players in the segment, but that is probably because its not a very hot segment. Its hard to sell cars in this segment no matter how great they are.

 

[Patrick.S]

True.

Lack of players and lack of potential players stepping into the market is a sure sign of how good of an idea it is. Might not be the right timing at best, at worst this might never work in terms of long-term sustained volume.

 

[SiM]

It's a bit of a tough segment too. Not many players in the segment, but that is probably because its not a very hot segment. Its hard to sell cars in this segment no matter how great they are.

Sad reality.

Even with a cheaper, down-segment product Nissan found it hard to bring to market their plans for a compact sports coupe. Tough!

 

[ToddMS]

Here is a list from Scion of the Updates on the 2016 FR-S. Think that'll be the radio in the iM?

 

[Briggs]

The infotainment screen looks quite nice. I hope that is in the iM.

 

[Patrick.S]

Even if it's not the iM it should be the same or similar.

Overall I doubt folks would care for much, just what is good enough, only so much you can expect when it comes to technology in these cars.

 

[Briggs]

I read that the next-generation FR-S may be built on Miata architecture.

Could Next Gen Scion FR-S Use Mazda Miata Engine And Chassis? - Art of Gears

According to the Telegraaf on their explorative piece earlier today (June. 23, 2015) there’s a very good possibility that the next generation Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT-86 could go for an MX-5 chassis and engine underneath. It’s not new news, but Toyota and Mazda recently signed up as partners together in the name of safety and fuel efficiency and Toyota was subsequently impressed with Mazda’s Skyactiv engine technology.

 

[SiM]

That would be a smart move.

But this time around if they make it more Toyota rather depending on more components from another brand, it could be a better move for them.
Easy way out is to use a powertrain mazda is using.