AutoGuide.com

Contrary to past rumors indicating its demise, a successor to the FR-S/BRZ is in the works.

Or at least the steps being taken by both parties involved are leading down that path.

Reports that the Toyota/Subaru partnership that spawned the compact sports car have fizzled are premature, said Scion group vice president Doug Murtha.

SEE ALSO: Subaru BRZ STI Concept Makes 350-HP

Speaking to AutoGuide at the New York International Auto Show, where Scion debuted two all new models, he didn’t hide his enthusiasm for a next-gen FR-S. “As the Scion team we’d like to see a next-generation FR-S,” he said. “There aren’t any confirmed deals but there are encouraging discussions going on between Subaru and Toyota.”

In the mean time Scion is prepping a mid-cycle update for the FR-S, which Murtha says is “not too far down the road.” But those looking for more power from the 2.0-liter boxer 4-cylinder engine won’t be pleased. Murtha said the update is, “a refresh to keep it current,” but, “not a complete rework of the concept.”

When pushed, he said the updates are really, “more cosmetic.”

Murtha confirmed that the convertible FR-S is dead in the water. “That was something we were really passionate about,” he said, and Toyota was even willing to go-it-alone on the engineering side after Subaru bailed on the idea, but it required additional markets to also take part and there just wasn’t the critical mass.

Before the updated FR-S arrives Scion will begin selling its two new NY Auto Show debuts, a sub-compact iA sedan and a five-door hatchback called the iM.

Discuss this story at our Scion FR-S forum