Daniel Song’s FR-S GT concept.
The hot new Scion FR-S will be putting in a turn at this week’s upcoming SEMA Show, Toyota’s youthful brand unveiling three tuner editions that just might hint of things to come.
Scion took a little different approach to prepare for the annual aftermarket show – which regularly draws an assortment of concepts and tuner models. The maker picked three custom car builders and gave each one an FR-S, $15,000 to spend and three months to come up with the coolest show car they could imagine.
The finished products will go on display at the Las Vegas Convention Center this week and the winner of the Eighth Annual Scion Tuner Challenge will get another $10,000 for pocket money.
“This year’s SEMA show has extra energy from the recent launch of the 2013 FR-S sports car,” said Steve Hatanaka, Scion auto shows and events manager. “The buzz and enthusiasm from FR-S owners has been tremendous as they look for ways to take their cars to the next level with custom and performance accessories. This year’s Scion Tuner Challenge contestants did an amazing job showcasing how the FR-S can be personalized.”
Chris Basselgia’s “minty FReSh” FR-S
Daniel Song’s FR-S GT is perhaps the leanest of the three finalists, the Orange County tuner opting for a GT racer design that features a widebody kit, carbon fiber accents, full roll cage, high wing, Sparco racing seats – and a Vortech supercharger.
John Toca, of Chicago, also opts for the Vortech Supercharger, but his Carbon Stealth FR-S is a little flashier with its full body kit, custom wheels , leather Recaro seats complementing an alcantar interior, and a full custom audio system. He’s also tricked out the suspension with Cusco components.
John Toca's Carbon Stealth FR-S.
Chris Basselgia’s “minty FReSh” FR-S offers a bit of a wink at custom fans with its wild mint green paint and contrasting interior trim. It also boasts a wild audio system that could go decibel-to-decibel with Toca’s slightly less extreme entry. Minty FReSh has a serious side, however, including an Eaton blower and custom intake components, along with a Neo Motorsports brake kit.
The choice of the FR-S for this year’s Scion Tuner Challenge was obvious – all the more so considering the extreme customization available for the little sports car and the likelihood that we’ll soon be seeing Scion amp things up if a widely rumored turbo edition does, indeed, come to market.