Toyota president liked the Scion FR-S only when he was able to “talk to” it

Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda didn’t immediately like the Scion FR-S sporty coupe. When it was in development, Toyoda would test-drive it once each month. He had plenty of criticism throughout the entire process. Chief engineer Tetsuya Tada said that the worst criticism from Toyoda was when he immediately halted during a test run. Tada went on to describe the vehicle as a “car he couldn’t “talk to.” Tada said, “It was a turning point in terms of what direction we would develop the car.”

Toyota is extremely focused on the FR-S (known in the U.S. as the Toyota 86), highlighting how Toyoda places a personal touch on them. Toyoda is a multi-awarded accomplished racer. To describe his position at its top test driver, Toyoda shed a “sometimes cryptic lexicon to describe his role as the company’s top test driver.” She is a chef who has been “flavoring” the vehicles.

In cases like this, he means that it’s good to have “conversation” with the car. Toyota tinkered with the FR-S. Toyoda is examining the FR-S, a car he had been in full support of before he became president in 2009. The redesigned Lexus GS was expected to be discontinued but Toyoda granted reprieve after engineers modified its driving dynamics to get his approval. He is known for having worked on the Lexus LFA high-end sports car for more than a decade before the pet project is just right.

Gallery: 2013 Scion FR-S

Video:
Scion FR-S With Engine Start Up


Scion FR-S Drift in Japan with Ken Gushi

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