Convertible FR-S / BRZ in the works? Not if Subaru can help it

Is a convertible FR-S/BRZ in the works? Subaru says no but Toyota hints at maybe

By Bill Roberson Published January 27, 2014

The collaborative effort between Subaru and Toyota that resulted in the fun-as-heck Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S sports coupes is a gift from the sports car gods to the many folks who want an affordable “real” sports car (outside of a Miata).

But the missing bit of fun has always been a convertible version of the dynamic duo, and last year Toyota rolled the slick FT-86 Open Concept onto the show floor in Geneva. The response was positive, so when is it going to hit showrooms?

Subaru brand chief Yasuyuki Yoshinaga told Automotive News, “We make the car, so if we don’t make it, it can’t happen.” To which Toyota has apparently replied: not so fast, Subaru.

According to an interview with a Scion VP conducted by Wards Auto, cash-flush Toyota – Scion’s sugar daddy – might forge ahead on its own to build a ragtop FR-S independent of Subaru. C&D says their source indicates Toyota is looking into what would mods the chassis would require, how much the price might rise and other parts requirements.

Even if it does get built, Car and Driver notes that it would more likely come in the next iteration of the pocket rocket BRZ/FR-S and may get the GT-86 moniker, if it comes down the pipe at all. And then there’s the question of if it will even hit American shores. We can only hope.

If it does materialize in FR-S/BRZ Version 2.0, let’s hope they find some way to drop another 50 (or many more) ponies into the engine along the way.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

I focus on producing Digital Trends' 'DT Daily' video news program along with photographing items we get in for review. I…

Cars

Mini’s infotainment system is very charming, but still needs work

Main screen of the Mini infotainment system

When you think Mini, you probably don’t think of infotainment. Personally, I think of the British flag taillights, the distinct exterior, and the surprising room on the inside. But after driving the Mini John Cooper Works Countryman over the past week, infotainment might well be something I think of more often when it comes to Mini. It’s charming.

It also, however, suffers from all the traps that other legacy automakers fall into when it comes to software design. Mini has something on its hands here — but it still needs some work.
Bringing the charm
The first thing that stood out to me about the system when I got in the car was how fun it was. That all starts with the display. It’s round! No, it’s not curved — the screen is a big, round display sits in at 9.4 inches, and I found it plenty large enough for day-to-day use.

Cars

Plug-in hybrids are becoming more popular. Why? And will it continue?

Kia Niro EV Charging Port

There's a lot of talk about the idea that the growth in electric car sales has kind of slowed a little. It's not all that surprising -- EVs are still expensive, early adopters all have one by now, and they're still new enough to where there aren't too many ultra-affordable used EVs available. But plenty of people still want a greener vehicle, and that has given rise to an explosion in hybrid vehicle sales.

That's especially true of plug-in hybrid vehicles, which can be charged like an EV and driven in all-electric mode for short distances, and have a gas engine as a backup for longer distances or to be used in combination with electric mode for more efficient driving.

Cars

EV drivers are not going back to gas cars, global survey says

ev drivers are not going back to gas cars global survey says screenshot

Nearly all current owners of electric vehicles (EVs) are either satisfied or very satisfied with the experience, and 92% of them plan to buy another EV, according to a survey by the Global EV Drivers Alliance.

The survey of 23,000 EV drivers worldwide found that only 1% would return to a petrol or diesel car, while 4% would opt for a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) if they had to replace their car.