The automotive world was buzzing with anticipation for the 2013 Scion FR-S. Positioned as the affordable, rear-wheel-drive sports car for the masses, it carried the hopes of enthusiasts eager for a return to accessible performance. Before hitting the track for full performance testing, Edmunds was among the first to strap the FR-S to a dyno and uncover the truth behind its advertised horsepower.
While significantly more attainable than exotic supercars, the Scion FR-S held its own kind of significance – democratizing the sports car experience. The focus of this initial test was to evaluate the real-world output of its 2.0-liter FA20 flat-four engine. The question on everyone’s mind: would the dyno results confirm the factory- заявленный horsepower of Scion FR-S?
You’re likely already familiar with the details of the FR-S, perhaps from reading initial reviews and feature deep dives. The buzz surrounded its 200 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, claimed at the flywheel. This all-new FA20 engine, sharing some core architecture with Subaru’s FB-series, boasted an innovative dual fuel injection system – Toyota’s D-4S, combining direct and port injection.
To put these figures to the test, a vibrant red FR-S, bearing the early VIN of “00003,” was secured onto the Dynojet 248 dyno at MD Automotive. The dyno rollers were ready to reveal the actual horsepower of the Scion FR-S as it translated to the wheels.
The dyno runs delivered a peak of 173 horsepower at the wheels. Factoring in typical drivetrain losses, this figure aligns closely with the expected output from a 200 horsepower engine at the crank. The fuel cut-off precisely matched the tachometer’s redline at 7,400 rpm, confirming the engine’s rev-happy nature. However, the torque curve revealed a curious anomaly: a noticeable dip at 4,000 rpm.
This wasn’t a minor fluctuation; the Scion FR-S appeared to lose around 14% of its torque at this point in the rev range. Consistent across multiple runs, this torque crater wasn’t a fluke. While initially perplexing, it’s important to view this dip in context. The engine exhibits an unusually strong surge of torque in the lower rev range, between 2,500 and 3,200 rpm, for a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter capable of high-rpm operation. Engineers seemingly made a deliberate trade-off, sacrificing some mid-range torque at 4,000 rpm to enhance low-end driveability. Despite the dip, from 4,500 to 6,500 rpm, the FR-S maintained a consistent 140 lb-ft of torque, close to its peak, ensuring ample power when driving spiritedly and shifting near redline. Impressively, this equates to over 70 lb-ft of torque per liter at the wheels from a naturally aspirated engine, a testament to the FA20’s efficient design.
Beyond the horsepower figures, the dyno test highlighted remarkable consistency. Run after run, the FR-S produced nearly identical power and torque curves, demonstrating exceptional repeatability – a valuable trait for any performance car.
To provide further context to the Scion FR-S horsepower, a comparison was drawn to another vehicle in a similar price bracket boasting an identical 200 horsepower rating: the Volkswagen GTI. A 2010 GTI, tested previously on the same dyno, served as the benchmark.
It’s crucial to acknowledge the fundamental difference: a front-wheel-drive hatchback like the GTI isn’t a direct substitute for a rear-wheel-drive sports car like the FR-S. This comparison solely focuses on engines with similar factory horsepower, cylinder count, and displacement at a comparable price point. The dyno charts reveal a stark contrast in power delivery. Across the rev range, the GTI consistently outperformed the Scion FR-S in torque, with a staggering gap of nearly 100 lb-ft at 3,800 rpm. The GTI’s turbocharged engine is the clear advantage here, showcasing the benefits of forced induction over natural aspiration in terms of torque output. While the FR-S compensates with a higher rev limit, its additional 1,000 rpm isn’t sufficient to bridge the torque deficit against the underrated GTI.
The comparison naturally leads to the tantalizing prospect of a turbocharged Scion FR-S. While factory turbocharging remained a hypothetical scenario at the time of this test, the potential for increased horsepower and torque was undeniable. For now, the naturally aspirated FR-S demonstrated respectable horsepower figures, delivering on its promise of accessible sports car performance, albeit with a unique torque curve and a different power delivery compared to turbocharged rivals. The dyno test confirmed the advertised horsepower of the Scion FR-S and provided valuable insights into its engine characteristics, setting the stage for more in-depth performance evaluations to come.
