2014 Scion FR-S
Changes for the 2014 Scion FR-S:
Following a successful freshman year during which enthusiast drivers celebrated the return of a small, lightweight, rear-drive sports car to the U.S. market, the 2014 Scion FR-S returns with several upgrades.
Scion has added knee cushion pads to the car’s front door panels and the center console, making it more comfortable for drivers to brace their legs when tackling twisty roads. A new 6.1-inch touchscreen display audio system is standard for 2014, and the optional BeSpoke premium sound system now includes a navigation system and new Aha connectivity services including access to social media platforms and more than 30,000 music stations.
In addition to these changes, the 2014 Scion FR-S is offered in a new, limited-production, Monogram Series model.
Model Lineup:
The 2014 Scion FR-S comes in standard or Monogram Series trim, and buyers can upgrade the car through a long list of dealer-installed accessories. The FR-S Monogram Series model adds leather seats with Alcantara inserts, a BeSpoke navigation and audio system, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and Smart Key passive entry with push-button starting. This version of the FR-S also features HID headlights, LED running lights, heated side mirrors, a frameless rearview mirror, a rear seat center armrest, a rear spoiler, and a carpeted cargo mat.
Engines and Transmissions:
Sourced from Subaru, with which Scion jointly developed the FR-S, a 2.0-liter, boxer-style, 4-cylinder engine is the only power plant available, bolted to a standard 6-speed manual gearbox that delivers power to the car’s rear wheels. The engine is rated to make 200 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 151 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,600 rpm, operating on the required premium fuel. A 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Dynamic Rev Management is optional.
Scion includes free scheduled maintenance for the first two years or 25,000 miles of ownership, a nice perk.
Fuel Economy Ratings:
In combined driving, the EPA says the 2014 Scion FR-S will return 25 mpg with the standard manual gearbox and 28 mpg with the optional automatic transmission. No, those figures are not transposed.
Safety Ratings:
Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have performed crash tests on the Scion FR-S, and both give the car top marks for occupant protection. The NHTSA says the FR-S gets a 5-star overall rating, while the IIHS gives the FR-S “Good” ratings for all assessments except the small overlap frontal-impact test, to which the Scion has not yet been subjected.
Technology Highlights:
The 2014 Scion FR-S is available with a new BeSpoke infotainment system that includes navigation and Aha media services. Pair a smartphone to the system, and Aha offers access to 30,000 audio channels from around the world, as well as access to social media platforms such as Facebook. Too bad nobody under the age of 30 uses Facebook anymore.
