New FR-S Sports Car Accelerates Scion's July Sales

BALTIMORE, MD. (08/20/2012)(readMedia)-- In its second month of sales, the all-new 2013 Scion FR-S sports car continued to make a speedy impact, helping Scion's overall July sales increase 97 percent year-over-year. The brand's first rear-wheel-drive car vaulted into third place among Scion models in sales last month, and it has already sold nearly 4,500 models in the United States since it debuted in June.

The FR-S wasn't the only sporty Scion making moves on the sales floor in July, however. Scion's tC sports coupe enjoyed a 27-percent sales increase year-over-year last month, with 2,013 models finding new homes. That number made the Scion tC the brand's volume leader for the month, followed closely by the Scion xB compact SUV, which moved 1,708 units for a 43-percent increase over July 2011.

''Scion's edgy styling and affordable pricing have made it a favorite with the young and young at heart for nearly a decade, and new models like the FR-S further cement that growing legacy,'' said Randy Smith, sales manager at Russel Scion, a Scion dealer in Baltimore, Md. ''With its impressive performance and low price tag, it's not all that surprising that the FR-S has become an instant hit with driving enthusiasts.''

Beyond its all-important interest from car buyers, the Scion FR-S is passing the test among critics as well. The FR-S easily bested the all-new 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo in a recent Edmunds Inside Line comparison, leading the publication's editors to claim that the Scion is quickly becoming the common man's sports car.

Despite producing less torque than the turbocharged Hyundai, the Scion FR-S was much quicker in Inside Line's zero-to-60 mph acceleration tests, posting a time of 6.6 seconds compared to the Veloster Turbo's 7.7 seconds. That show of speed continued at the drag strip, where the Scion sports car covered the quarter mile in 14.9 seconds, beating its competitor by 0.7 seconds.

Key to the performance of the Scion FR-S is the combination of a 200-horsepower 2.0-liter engine with a lightweight chassis. Tipping the scales at just 2,734 pounds in the Inside Line test, the FR-S is a flyweight among its competition, including the Veloster Turbo, which weighed in at 2,910 pounds. The Scion's nimble frame is controlled by a suspension that is tuned for feedback and neutral handling at the limit, making the car a solid option for gripping winding back roads.

"A lot of automakers claim to build cars that are both fun to drive and affordable, but when it comes down to it, they just don't deliver," noted Smith. "There was a huge amount of hype surrounding the debut of the FR-S, and it has lived up to lofty expectations by providing a dynamic driving experience that's unmatched at its price point."

About Russel Scion:

For years, Maryland Scion shoppers have trusted the dedicated and knowledgeable team at Russel Scion to deliver unparalleled sales and service experiences. Their Baltimore Scion dealership offers an extensive inventory of new and pre-owned Scion vehicles that can be browsed in a no-hassle shopping environment. Meanwhile, Russel Scion's service and parts department helps customers long after each sale to ensure that they can enjoy their Scion for years to come. View their inventory online at www.russelscion.com, visit their dealership at 6324 Baltimore National Pike or contact their team by phone at 410-788-8400. They can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarylandToyota.