Scion FR-S: Bringing Twin Ring Motegi back to GT5

Twin Ring Motegi is back!

Now you may probably remember back in the final round of the recently ended GT Academy 2012, we were shocked that the Twin Ring Motegi was included on the event but only the east section of the Road Course. It was like we didn't get it but joy of joys, Twin Ring Motegi is back on Gran Turismo 5 as a DLC. What you have is the complete set; the Road Course, the east section of the Road Course, the west section of the Road Course, and the oval Super Speedway. Two tracks with four layouts. Little known fact that this Honda-owned racetrack has a Gran Turismo cafe on it. Anyone visited on the Gran Turismo cafe?

Anyway, it kinda feels like I forgot all about the Twin Ring Motegi but relearn the Twin Ring Motegi, I need a car that will do that kind of job. Something sporty, something boxer, something 2-door, something RWD.

THE BRAND NEW SCION FR-S!

Bringing Twin Ring Motegi back to GT5 is
provided by the new 2013 Scion FR-S

It maybe brand new but actually this Scion FR-S really is more than just brand new. Its FR layout, boxer 4 engine, and the joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation and Fuji Heavy Industries (makers of Subaru) really made it unique. I was hoping for the Subaru BRZ but who am I caring for? The Scion FR-S really is BRINGING THE SPORT BACK TO THE CAR! Ha ha ha ha!

FR-S drift!

Now you might be saying that this is just the Toyota GT86 with Toyota badges thrown away in favor of Scion badges but still retaining the 86 logo on the sides. I once drove the Toyota 86 last year and I really favored on its handling nature. This experience I had on the GT86 is the same thing I'd experience on the Scion FR-S. You still have the same FA20 engine that powered the TOYOTA 86. It churns out 200 hp @ 7,000 RPM of power and 151 lb.-ft @ 6,600 RPM of torque.

This is somewhat an Americanized GT86

FR Boxer Coupe loves to drift!

When you look at the heritage of the Scion FR-S, it appears that current Toyota CEO, Akio Toyoda, was heavily involved on that project. He's a motorsport enthusiast and he wanted to create a sports car that he would want to drive. Cars like the Sports 800, 2000GT, and the legendary AE86, that's how either the GT86 or the FR-S reminded me of those. You can feel the DNA all over it.

Surely, the GT86 and the FR-S are all the same thing. They have the same looks, they have the same engine, but to spot the difference, the GT86 was the right-hand drive while the FR-S was in the left-hand drive. There's something has to do with this....

You should admit that SONY has the exclusive rights for the TOYOTA 86 and the Scion FR-S because of what I heard, Toyota Motor Corporation will be developing a new feature that will record their 86/FR-S track-day progress through the Playstation. A PS3-capable track-day black box. That's what that is.

Scoop: http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-developing-ps3-capable-track-day-black-box-for-fr-s-gt86.html

If that became reality, the TOYOTA 86 would only work if you are in Tsukuba, Fuji Speedway, Twin Ring Motegi, and Suzuka Circuit. Scion FR-S? Well, it would only work if you're in the Daytona, Laguna Seca, or Indianapolis. Just saying...

Finished touring Twin Ring Motegi with the FR-S

And there we are, I have finally relearned the whole Twin Ring Motegi Road Course with the Scion FR-S. Oh and in case you haven't notice, the SCION FR-S is yours to collect, tune, and race as a free Gran Turismo 5 DLC. Be sure to get it ahead of everybody else because the SCION FR-S is the car that brought Twin Ring Motegi back to GT5. He he he....

Guess I should hand it over to the tamed racing driver....

The Stig's close-up with the FR-S!

Yep, The Stig was very happy, knowing that this close-up shot really is STIG APPROVED.