Scion FR-S Voted Hottest Sport Compact by SEMA Exhibitors

BALTIMORE, MD (11/15/2012)(readMedia)-- With thousands of tricked-out cars on hand, getting noticed at the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas is no easy feat, but the Scion FR-S managed to stand out this year. Earning the SEMA Hottest Sport Compact award, Scion's newest sports car proved popular with car customizers at the show, which ran Oct. 31 through Nov. 2.

The SEMA Awards are given out to the vehicles that offer the best blank canvases for tuners' creativity with aftermarket parts and accessories. Cars received one vote in their category each time an exhibitor used a modified model at their booth, and the 2013 Scion FR-S was the top vote getter when it came to the Hottest Sport Compact award. As an auto brand that has long valued customization, Scion has even gone so far as to create its Optomize aftermarket parts program, which allows buyers to purchase popular third-party accessories through their local dealership.

"By offering affordable prices and a wide range of convenient customization options, Scion has been able to appeal to the independent style of younger car buyers,'' said Wade Sterry, sales manager of Russel Scion, a Scion dealer in Baltimore, Md. ''The addition of the Scion FR-S to the lineup has brought even the most dedicated driving enthusiasts into our showroom, because the car performs well above its price tag and turns heads with the best of them."

Eager to show the industry just how customizable its new FR-S can be, Scion recently held the Scion FR-S Tuner Challenge, pitting three well-known car tuners against each other for a $10,000 prize. Scion gave Chris Basselgia, Daniel Song and John Toca $15,000 each to create their own vision of the ultimate FR-S, choosing the winner at the SEMA Show.

Each tuner took a distinctly different path, but contest judges chose Basselgia's "Minty FReSH" FR-S as the first-place winner. Named for its cool green paintjob, the winning FR-S otherwise received mostly subtle exterior changes from the production model, with the exception of the low Airlift suspension and bespoke 19-inch wheels. Inside, custom leather upholstery and a high-quality audio system set the ride apart from its heavily modified competition, while a supercharger under the hood boosted the car's street cred.

Song's third-place "FR-S GT" was created purely for speed, building on the sports car's highly regarded handling and acceleration while incorporating sporty modifications like a large rear wing and a carbon fiber wrap. Meanwhile, Toca created his second-place "Carbon Stealth FR-S" with equal parts show and go, adding a supercharger as well as using numerous carbon fiber parts to lower the vehicle's already light weight.

"The Tuner Challenge showed how the FR-S can be personalized to suit any fan's tastes, whether you want a bolder style, amped up performance or a combination of both," noted Sterry. "The best part though is that, even with those modifications, you're probably still going to be paying less than most sports cars cost in production form."

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.