Mine's Concept Scion FR-S by GTChannel Announcement - Smart, Sophisticated and Stupid Fast

Culver City, CA - October 29, 2014 GTChannel revealed its Scion Tuner Challenge entry car, the Mine's Concept Scion FR-S by GTChannel.  

Truly a collaborative build by GTChannel, Mine's and MotoIQ with the concept to build a car that is smart, sophisticated and stupid fast.  The goal was a car that any of us would want to drive as a daily driver but also fast enough to take to the tracks.  Not a car that would simply sit in a garage or only be an attraction at a car show.  A car all of us would be proud to drive.  

"The parts we choose are really only to enhance the natural potential of the Scion FR-S and not to take away from anything it already possesses" says Taro Koki President of GTChannel and producer of the Mine's Concept Scion FR-S. 

- The car is full of unexpected surprises because for one, Mine's is known for tuning Nissan GT-Rs.  Mine's also contributed to bring in JDM brands to this project like Avest, Ganador, Esprit and Bridgestone.  But MotoIQ and GTChannel were able to call on other brands that Mine's had not worked with like HKS, KW Suspension, Whiteline and Wilwood Disc Brakes.  It is truly a collaborative Japan + USA +(and German) package.
 
- Avoiding typical wide body kits and tuners usually associated with the Scion FR-S was an obvious choice.  The goal was to be different.  Thus the narrow body look with subtle aero parts, but dynamic lines to exentuate accentuate the form of the car. The goal was to deliver a clean and sophisticated look with attention to detail and design.  

- The car is inspired by Mine's tuning philosophy.  GTChannel working with the clothing line "Route 20" came up with a totally unexpected car design that represents the car concept.  

- "As car builders we thought hard about the definition of a 'tuner car'  and deliberately choose not to build an all out race car.  Because in the end we wanted to build a tuner car that we would want to drive ourselves on a daily basis" says Taro Koki.  

- With the Ganador exhaust, Unorthodox Racing crank pulley and HKS Supercharger the car pulled 223hp on the dyno. Yes GTChannel and MotoIQ tested this car too.  Mike Kojima from MotoIQ  setup the KW Suspension Clubsport suspension and even properly aligned at West End in Carson, CA.  This car is ready to take on the track against anyone today. 
 

- Recaro Sportster CS seats and a Takata Racing Drift 3 Black Street Legal Belt system keeps the driver in place during sports driving. The AC is still intact and a new Pioneer multi-touch screen AppRadio stereo system was installed to keep the driving experience as comfortable as can be.  
 

Original renderings of the Mine's FR-S Concept by GTChannel

Click to videos on the Scion Tuner Challenge: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEGDOTG_1p0dWpfpjpSWIKwZfteumDfT_

SPECIFICATIONS:

Engine	HKS GT SUPER CHARGER KIT 2.0 L 4-cylinder Boxer Engine
	Unorthodox Racing Crank Pulley
	HPS Performance Silicon Hoses
	Nameless Engine Covers etc.
Exhaust	Ganador Exhaust
	5 Zigen Straight Pipe
Radiator	CSF
Brakes	Wilwood
	APR Brake Ducts
Chassis	Whiteline Strut Tower Brace
Suspension	KW Suspension Clubsport
	Whiteline Suspension and Diff Bushings
	Whiteline Front Lower Control Arms
	Whiteline Rear Lower Control Arms
	Spoon Sports/Rigid Collars
Tires	Bridgestone Potenza R11S F&R 265/35R18
Wheels	Rays - Volk Racing ZE40 Mat Blue Gun Metal
	Volk Racing Lug Nuts & Lock
	8 Prince Spacers
Aero	Esprit Front Lip Spoiler
	TRD Side Skirts
	TRD Side Fenders Garnish
	Avest Rear Wing
	Avest Side Mirros
	Seibon Carbon Hood
	Seibon Carbon Trunk Cover
	Seibon Rear Defuser
Lights	TRD HID Headlights Front
	Tom's Tail lights
Interior	TRD Steering Wheel
	TRD Shift Knob
	TAKATA Racing Drift 3 Street Legal Belts (Black)
	Recaro Sportster CS Seats
	Cyber Stork Gauge Display
Audio	Pioneer New AppRadio 4 Mech-less 2Din Touch Screen Multimedia Receiver
	Pioneer 4 Channel Amplifier
	Pioneer G-Series Speakers
Design	Route 20
Build Shop	MotoIQ/Technosquare

(TK)

Scion Tuner Challenge Update 2

When Scion called us to ask if we wanted to take part in the Scion Tuner Challenge this year, my first thought was if I'm willing to kill myself for the next three months until SEMA.  After they told me it would be a battle of the media companies against Super Street and Speedhunters, I just had to accept.

Why the hesitation?  First of all, this Scion Tuner Challenge will make grown men cry.  And I'm not kidding.
Click for more...

Scion Tuner Challenge UPDATE

First video by Scion was just released.  GTChannel will also be releasing a bunch of videos in the next coming months leading up to the SEMA Show.

First partnership announcement we'd like to make is that we've teamed up with our friends and GTChannel Network partner MotoIQ.  Many of you may know Mike Kojima from our Behind the Smoke and Controlled Chaos video series but Mike is also the president and resident car nerd at MotoIQ.  We'll be working out of MotoIQ's shop here in Southern California to keep things in the neighborhood.

Mike is an expert car builder and we feel much more confident that he's on our side helping us build this car.  

Currently parts are starting to arrive to our shop so we'll be updating soon with some parts photos and an installation video.  

GTChannel in Scion Tuner Challenge 2014

We've been challenged by Scion to build a FR-S for the 2014 SEMA Show.  The SEMA Show is the biggest aftermarket show in the world and if we're going to get a chance to build a car and compete against the likes of Superstreet and Speedhunters, hell yeah!

Obviously we will be documenting this build on video and updating as we go along. We've tapped into our Rolodex to partner with the best in the business. Watch out for regular updates on GTChannel.com.  

Full Release by Scion: 

TORRANCE, Calif., (Aug. 11, 2014) – They publish about the FR-S and they love the FR-S, but can they tune it? Scion announced today the three media partners that will compete in its 10^th annual Scion Tuner Challenge at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas Nov. 4-7. Super Street, GT Channel and Speedhunter will put their own spins on the stock FR-S vehicles, drawing inspiration from the details of the FR-S Release Series 1.0.

All three outlets have long relationships with Scion and will receive $15,000 to modify the vehicles. Super Street is a magazine dedicated to covering high-performance customized cars and lifestyle. GT Channel is a car video network focused on drifting videos, car racing and new vehicle tests. Speedhunters is website featuring JDM (Japanese domestic market) tuning, U.S. tuning and custom car projects. A panel of judges will evaluate the entries and announce the winner at the SEMA Show. First place earns a $10,000 grand prize.

“The FR-S Release Series 1.0 presents a modern take on the vehicle’s racing heritage and will provide our three media teams a creative muse for their own inspired customizations,” said Landy Joe, Scion auto shows and special events manager. “In our 10 years bringing this competition to the SEMA Show, we’ve always been impressed by the ingenuity of car builders there and our Scion fans. By bringing in these three respected partners to help us celebrate this milestone, we hope to get even more people excited about the possibilities.”

The stock FR-S is already a favorite of car enthusiasts and the tuner community. At the start of the competition, each FR-S vehicle will have its 2.0-liter, flat boxer engine, six-speed manual transmission and streamlined body exterior. Each builder team can reach out to aftermarket partners for support as needed.

For more details about the contest, visit www.ScionRacing.com for blog entries, photos and video content. Fans can follow the builds on the Scion Racing Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags #ScionTunerChallenge and #FRSRS1.