[EJD1984]

Dodge and Chevy Need a Scion FR-S
Torque News
By Patrick Rall
2014-10-23

Will Chevrolet and/or Dodge Come Up with an FR-S Competitor?
For years now, the Chrysler Group has played around with the idea of a smaller rear wheel drive sports car, including models like the Dodge Razor and the Dodge Demon Concept. Unfortunately, there is no intent to bring out anything like these models in the near future, but considering that parent company Fiat worked with Mazda to create the new Miata (via Alfa Romeo), I suppose that there is a slight chance to see a small, efficient and affordable sports car to compete with the Scion FR-S down the road. Dodge lovers could have a small, affordable performance car below the Challenger that would offer the same fun to drive factor as the Scion FR-S.

As for Chevrolet, there have been rumors for a couple years now that GM is indeed working on a small sporty car that is based on the 2012 Chevy Code 130R Concept from the Detroit Auto Show. That concept was a small rear wheel drive model powered by a turbocharged 1.4L engine that could provide the added punch that the FR-S needs. While these are nothing but unsubstantiated rumors, the Code 130R Concept is proof that the General has at least looked at building a proper FR-S fighter.

There is clearly a market for a smaller-than-a-muscle car performance model, but right now, you cannot buy a sporty model from either Chevrolet or Dodge with such strong handling, strong fuel economy and a low price like the Scion FR-S. It might not pack the power of the muscle cars, but the FR-S is dollar for dollar more fun to drive than anything in a similar price range from those two top American performance car brands.

*Full Article at Link

 

[All Star]

GM sells twice as many $40,000+ Camaros (think Z/28, 1LE, and ZL1) than the FR-S and BRZ combined. I would love to see it as much as anyone, but it is a tough business case. The twins are not exactly flying off the lots.

 

[MyImpalaSS]

It should be "Scion/Toyota/Subaru needs a Camaro/Mustang/Challenger".

 

[TheNewStandard]

I was thinking about this the other day:

The Challenger is truly a muscle car, as it is size-wize much larger than the Camaro and Mustang, and I think that works for them. I think Dodge could benefit from a small(er than the Ponys) sports coupe, but I think it would be overkill for Chevy with an already shrunken Camaro on the way in.

Right now, the Challenger is 8" longer than the Camaro and 10" longer than the new Mustang. Leave that be, keep giving it monster engines, and keep it as a drag/straight-line monster; alternately create a new small, RWD coupe/vert that's 30" shorter (as the FR-S/BRZ is), give it a couple tiger shark engines, and make the top trim an SRT6 rated around 400hp. Makes Dodge different and keeps the bigger, more profitable Challenger free from internal competition.

 

[wescoent]

Dodge and Chevy Need a Scion FR-S
Torque News
By Patrick Rall
2014-10-23

Will Chevrolet and/or Dodge Come Up with an FR-S Competitor?
For years now, the Chrysler Group has played around with the idea of a smaller rear wheel drive sports car, including models like the Dodge Razor and the Dodge Demon Concept. Unfortunately, there is no intent to bring out anything like these models in the near future, but considering that parent company Fiat worked with Mazda to create the new Miata (via Alfa Romeo), I suppose that there is a slight chance to see a small, efficient and affordable sports car to compete with the Scion FR-S down the road. Dodge lovers could have a small, affordable performance car below the Challenger that would offer the same fun to drive factor as the Scion FR-S.

As for Chevrolet, there have been rumors for a couple years now that GM is indeed working on a small sporty car that is based on the 2012 Chevy Code 130R Concept from the Detroit Auto Show. That concept was a small rear wheel drive model powered by a turbocharged 1.4L engine that could provide the added punch that the FR-S needs. While these are nothing but unsubstantiated rumors, the Code 130R Concept is proof that the General has at least looked at building a proper FR-S fighter.

There is clearly a market for a smaller-than-a-muscle car performance model, but right now, you cannot buy a sporty model from either Chevrolet or Dodge with such strong handling, strong fuel economy and a low price like the Scion FR-S. It might not pack the power of the muscle cars, but the FR-S is dollar for dollar more fun to drive than anything in a similar price range from those two top American performance car brands.

*Full Article at Link

Uhh, considering the catastrophically bad sales numbers of the FRS/BRZ, I think not.

 

[mchicha]

How many of those does Toyota and Subaru sell? YTD 11K for Scion and BRZ 6,245.. I think not. Chevrolet should keep to Camaro. A car like this might make sense for Buick and Opel, but not Chevrolet.

 

[gopedxr7]

for me the FRS is just too small for my taste. i am not a fan of small cars. i need a back seat, even if no people can fit, at least i can put my stuff on there for a road trip.

if the next camaro is on the alpha platform, it should be able to save a lot of weight. hopefully then it can be moved around by a turbo 4

 

[Twinpeaksr]

No thanks, I don't need a go-cart.

 

[Evo69]

Uhhh nope!

 

[minnfang]

It should be "Scion/Toyota/Subaru needs a Camaro/Mustang/Challenger".

Totally true. What Chevrolet DOES need is a hot FWD 3 door hatch (Tru140S).

 

[jAustin]

This is not the first article I have seen that basically says that the FR-S/BRZ do not compete with the Camaro/Mustang because the FR-S/BRZ are cheaper.

I have talked price with dealers on all of these cars. Lowest you can get a base FR-S down to is $22-23k.

Dealers will do $16k on base 2014 Mustangs. Base 2014 Camaros are still more like $18k.

Smaller and lighter yes, more tossable yes, better FE yes, but the FR-S/BRZ are simply not a cheap deal for the affordable little sports cars that they ostensibly are. The base pony cars are, though. Due partially to economies of scale, I imagine. GM and Ford pump out a ton of these cars so I guess they don't need the margin so much. There is no room for a cheaper RWD sporty car under the Camaro.

I don't see Ford and Chevy coming up with and FR-S/BRZ competitor any time soon. The Mustang and Camaro are really closer to the japanese twins than a lot of people realize IMO. Particularly if the 6th gen comes with some weight loss and slightly tidier exterior dimensions.

 

[osbornk]

I have always thought that the Solstice/Sky should have been transferred to one of the remaining GM divisions and remained on the market. I think they were both very nice products with a lot of potential.

 

[Cajun G8]

Uhh, considering the catastrophically bad sales numbers of the FRS/BRZ, I think not.

Are those sales numbers catastrophic? Or is that right on target? You might have to drill down a little deeper. Are the sales figures a result of the size of the market? Or is it because Chevy and Ford each have over 3,000 dealers and Subaru/Scion combined have a little over half that (approx 1600)? More points of sale usually = more sales. Is it the cars themselves, or is it because the pony cars have more engine options at a similar price point and are bigger?

Could Chevy/Dodge/Ford sell a car in that same market at those volumes and still be profitable? Or would their larger dealer networks make for more sales than what Scion/Subaru can muster? That's for the bean counters to decide, but it's not as simple as saying "that existing sales volume from two very small brands won't work" because there are lots of factors in play.

 

[steve333]

What Chevy needs is a 4 door Camaro.
Keep it a Compact, with better visibility of course, at around a $20,000 price tag.
Chevy Nova or Chevelle.

 

[posaune]

Problem with the Twins is that for what you get, they are over priced. There is a market for entry level RWD, small sporty cars. I'd like to see it come to Chevy as a sedan, 2 door shooting brake and possible a 2 door ute. Starts at $20k or so. 4 Cyl only. If it had to be, a SLA would be acceptable. GM has been able to tune SLA to handle very well. Chevy's larger dealer network should help leverage better sales results that Subaru and Scion. Would also be crucial in global markets to provide volume.

 

[Oldsmobile stopped]

Bring back the Cutlass coupe.

 

[richmond2000]

I would like Dodge to bring back the HORNET hot Hatch from years ago and build it on the Miata/alfa chassis it wold sorta be like the Voloster done "right"
as for Chevy/ Ford I wonder how many FR-S buyers would consider a "stripper" Camaro/Mustang as outside of looks thay are low on redeeming value and do a good job of letting you know you bought the cheap one

 

[Greg Burr]

It should be "Scion/Toyota/Subaru needs a Camaro/Mustang/Challenger".[/QUOTE

Next thing you know they will say that GM needs an answer to the Smart Car

 

[posaune]

It should be "Scion/Toyota/Subaru needs a Camaro/Mustang/Challenger".[/QUOTE

Next thing you know they will say that GM needs an answer to the Smart Car

You mean this?

 

[supraracer]

Does the Dodge Dart SRT count? This is still coming. Looks fun.