Scion 400HP drift car competing in D1 Championships

Posted Tue Apr 8 2008 6:40 PM by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

Toyota's youth-oriented company Scion has been featuring flagging sales of late, which has inspired the Japanese auto manufacturer to enter the famed Formula D1 'Drifting' series with the Scion tC.

The sports coupe tC was originally built as a front-wheel drive car, a format that isn't very conducive to drifting without the aid of a handbrake, so the Scion was converted to a RWD layout. The conversion was made simple as the tC is built on an AWD platform, although the transverse engine had to be rotated into a longitudinal one to get power to the rear wheels.

The drifting Scion tC, dubbed the RS*R Scion tC, has also undergone an extensive engine upgrade that takes the power from 161hp to over 400 horses to really get those tires smoking. The engine mods include a 3SGE Beams motor, HKS GT3037 turbo and intercooler, Blitz Dual SBC boost controller, and AEM EMS engine management system. The brakes, transmission, clutch and coilovers have all been upgraded as well, giving the car better handling and acceleration.

The RS*R tC drift car will be piloted by Ken Gushi, a driver famed for becoming the youngest driver to compete in D1 at the age of 16. Gushi, who is now 21, will hopefully hold some appeal for Scion's youth market and increase sales for Toyota and Scion.

Gallery: RS*R Scion tC

Reader Comments

Tue Apr 8 2008 8:10 PM
ink Master says

having seen the full gallery (not sure why it wasn't posted here) looks pretty nice from the front... from the side looks like a toy, and from the back looks like a female animal on all 4 :/
Tue Apr 8 2008 8:40 PM
Gus says

Ok so let me get this straight:
Scion tries to impress buyers of a FWD car by drifitng it as a RWD car that no one can actually buy?
Wed Apr 9 2008 2:48 AM
Wizards Lore says

oh hello its a Lancer crossed with a GTR.
Wed Apr 9 2008 11:16 AM
ohmy says

i wonder hwo much a conversion of FWD to RWD would be...
Thu Apr 10 2008 2:30 AM
Wizards Lore says

not much ohmy....just turn the drive train around and there you go !! the car will be goign in reverse so it will only be 1 speed but no expense !!! you will though have 5 gears for reverse !

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