The good news is that Scion has developed a rear-wheel drive version of its compact coupe, the tC. The bad news for all us RWD-lovers is that the RS*R tC was created to compete in Formula Drift events and not to go on sale for the public to enjoy. The conversion, that was performed by aftermarket specialist, RS*R, was able to be done thanks to the fact that the tC shares its platform with Toyota's Japanese market Avensis four-wheel drive and Caldina all-wheel drive.
RS*R changed the tC's stock transverse engine configuration to a longitudinal setup in order to drive power, through the transmission and drive shaft, directly to the rear wheels. While the stock tC is equipped wit a 161 Hp 2.4-liter engine, the RS*R features a 3SGE Beams motor, HKS GT3037 turbo and intercooler, Blitz Dual SBC boost controller, and AEM EMS engine management system that outputs more than 400 HP. –Continued after the jump Power is transferred to the rear-wheels via a Tilton triple carbon clutch and a G-Force five-speed sequential transmission. Other upgrades include the Project Mu brakes, RS-R coilovers, Sparco Corsa seats, a custom concept wide body and Enkei RPF1 alloys wrapped with Toyo Proxes R1R tires. The RS*R Scion tC that will be driven by Ken Gushi, will make its first appearance at Formula Drift's Round 1, Streets of Long Beach in Calif. on April 12.
