Scion Exec Says FR-S Convertible and Turbo Models Will not Come about

Soon after years of reports indicating one issue, then the other, just before swinging back to the 1st issue, neither a convertible nor a turbocharged variant of Scion’s FR-S sports automobile will see the light of day. In an interview with WardsAuto, Scion senior vice president Doug Murtha states unequivocally that the FR-S will remain a coupe with a naturally aspirated, Subaru-sourced flat-4.

On the topic of the madly yearned-for turbocharged engine selection, Murtha deadpanned: “That’s not something that’s coming.” Ouch. As for the droptop variant (rendered above), it seems no organization case could be produced that didn’t involve losing oodles of cash. According to WardsAuto, Murtha claims Scion “went down swinging” on that project.

In addition to chilling the hearts of enthusiasts everywhere like cold November rain, the news that Scion failed to convince parent company Toyota—which sells the FR-S as the GT86 globally—to invest additional in the FR-S signals that the model’s future could be in turmoil.

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Recent word is that the FR-S and its Subaru-badged sibling, the BRZ, might not see a second generation, a future that grown ever more real in the case of massively slowed sales of the cars. As WardsAuto points out, the turbo FR-S and the droptop have been intended to stanch the typical sales hemorrhaging every coupe experiences roughly 2 years into its life cycle. Guess how lengthy the FR-S has been on sale? Yep, and Murtha adds that sales are indeed cooling. The only feasible constructive from this news? Offers on spankin’-new Scibarus down the road.

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Scion Exec Says FR-S Convertible and Turbo Models Will not Come about

Star Search: Infiniti Exec Andy Palmer to Take Reins at Aston Martin

September 3, 2014 at 10:59 am by Jens Meiners | Photography by YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/Getty Pictures

Nissan and Infiniti executive Andy Palmer will replace Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez at an undisclosed date. Ahead of joining Nissan in 1991, the 51-year-old engineer had led Austin Rover’s transmission improvement. As head of Infiniti, he earned his credentials as an executive of a premium brand.

The headhunters dispatched to locate a replacement for Bez had been out for a extended time and pitched various automotive executives. Succeeding Bez at the helm won’t be an easy task as Aston Martin’s model lineup is in want of a thorough overhaul. All at present supplied models use variations of the aging VH platform, and design and style hasn’t progressed much ever since Ian Callum penned the V8 Vantage and the DB9 much more than a decade ago. The engine portfolio is outdated, as nicely.

Palmer now faces the challenge of integrating the technologies that will be offered by Mercedes-AMG Aston Martin and Daimler’s high-efficiency subsidiary have agreed on employing AMG engines and hardware. Daimler owns 5 percent of Aston Martin.

If Daimler takes over Aston Martin in its entirety, Palmer’s function could have to be redefined. But he is well versed in his dealings with Daimler at Nissan and Infiniti, he oversaw the joint development of projects with the German-primarily based premium carmaker.

In spite of his claims of getting a gearhead, Palmer’s credentials are rusty at greatest, according to some insiders. He was behind the launch of some questionable recent NISMO goods. Before that, his background was as a transmission engineer he’s one of the individuals most accountable for the reality Nissan is now the world’s major manufacturer of CVTs.

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When we spoke with Palmer at Infiniti, he sang the praises of hybrid technologies. No matter whether he’ll pursue this passion at Aston Martin remains to be noticed.

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Star Search: Infiniti Exec Andy Palmer to Take Reins at Aston Martin