The Subaru Baja is light-utility all-wheel-drive vehicle manufactured from 2003-2006 by Subaru. The Subaru Baja combined the handling and passenger carrying characteristics of a car with the open-bed versatility, and to a lesser degree, load capacity of a pickup truck. The unibody design borrowed heavily from existing mechanicals, structure and sheetmetal of the Legacy and Outback wagons. Production began on July 18, 2002 as a 2003 model at the Lafayette, Indiana factory (Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., aka SIA) once shared with Isuzu. Baja’s featured full tinting on the rear door windows and rear window, and the Subaru Baja’s open bed featured an integrated bed liner, a dual-illumination bed light and four tie-down hooks. Standard roof rails with cross bars provided additional load capacity. Two distinctive stainless steel flying buttresses behind the passenger compartment (called Sports Bars) provided structural reinforcement for the open bed, and a swing down license plate accommodated the plate’s visibility when the tailgate was down. The Subaru Baja had a tow rating of 2400 lb (1089 kg).
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The Subaru Tribeca (previously called the B9 Tribeca) is a five- or seven-seat mid-size, crossover SUV which was launched for the 2006 model year and went on sale in June 2005 in the United States. It is based on the Subaru Legacy platform and the B9X concept car. The production version of this SUV is named for New York City’s famed TriBeCa neighborhood. It is the first Subaru vehicle, excluding the Japan-only Subaru R1/R2 featuring the new Subaru design language of a triangular grille and a rounded bodyshape, which many in the Subaru community have found controversial. Subaru also used the grille styling on the Impreza with similar controversial results. Subaru has since abandoned this concept for its models introduced in 2006 and beyond.
In 2003, with the debut of the fourth-generation Legacy at the 60th Frankfurt Auto Show, the Subaru Outback name is now being used worldwide Australia, Europe, Japan and USA with the launch of the third-generation Subaru Outback wagon. Models equipped with a 3.0 L H6 were introduced at the 2004 Chicago Auto Show. The Subaru Outback carries the same model codes as the Legacy Wagon, BP9 for the 2.5 liter, and BPE for the 3.0 liter model. Subaru beefed up their AWD 4EAT transmission’s design and released the 5EAT w/ SportShift in 2005. The Outback received styling revisions for the 2008 model year, notably an enlarged, chrome-ringed grille. As of the 2008 model year, the Legacy wagon and Subaru Outback sedan were discontinued in the United States, leaving the Legacy sedan and Subaru Outback wagon. The JDM model has been shown with a “Start/Stop” button which suggests that the vehicle has been equipped with keyless ignition, found in Lexus, Infiniti, Audi and other high end makers.
In 2003, a turbocharged Subaru Forester, the XT, was released alongside the naturally-aspirated X and XS in the United States as a 2004 model, however the same model had been available since the late 1990s elsewhere in the world. The XT model features a 2.5 L turbocharged engine mated with the same Mitsubishi TD04 turbocharger used in the Subaru Impreza WRX. In fact, the engine in the 2004 to 2005 Subaru Forester XT is identical to the American market Subaru Impreza WRX STi except for using the smaller TD04 turbocharger from the WRX, a smaller intercooler, different exhaust system, and different engine management programming. Those seeking additional power for their Subaru Forester XT can replace the turbocharger and intercooler with used STI components which are readily available. The 2003 Forester features weight-saving refinements such as an aluminum hood, perforated rails, and a hydro-formed front frame. In 2005, Subaru launched an STI variant of the Forester, the Forester STI for the Japanese Market. It shared the same engine as the 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, but thanks to different tuning generated 320 bhp (240 kW). 2005 also the introduction of Subaru’s AVCS system as standard on all engines used in the Forester.
The Alcyone SVX, also known outside Japan as the Subaru SVX, was a mid-sized, high-performance sports-touring GT coupé sold by Subaru. Acceleration from 0-60 mph was 7.3 seconds, with a standing 1/4 mile time of 1-15.4 seconds at 92.5 mph (148.9 km/h). . The top speed of the 1992/1993 SVX was 154 mph (248 km/h), while in later models (1994-1997) the top speed was electronically-governed at 143 mph (230 km/h). Although it was considered to be a very powerful vehicle at its debut, the SVX was heavy, weighing in at 3580 pounds (1624 kg), which is roughly the same as a Third Generation Outback wagon. It was only available with the 4EAT 4-speed automatic transmission, which adversely affected performance. A manual transmission, capable of handling the horsepower and torque of the EG33 engine, was not available at the time of production and was never made available as an option. However, many owners have successfully retrofitted the SVX with manual transmissions. Almost all recent Subaru manual transmissions can be adapted to the SVX, with the most popular ones being the 5 and 6-speeds from the Impreza WRX and STi.
The Subaru Legacy is a mid-size car introduced by the Japanese manufacturer Subaru in February 1989 as a larger, upscale companion to the company’s Leone/Loyale. Worldwide distribution started in 1990. In Australia, the Legacy bears the name Liberty out of respect for Legacy Australia, an organization which aids veterans and their families during and after wars. The standard equipped symmetrical all-wheel drive system is currently unique to the Legacy in this class size of vehicle. German automaker Volkswagen, the parent owner of Audi, produces the closest competitor Audi A4 and Volkswagen Passat with their AWD offering Quattro or 4motion and a 4-cylinder engine on the Audi and only on the 6-cylinder on the VW, however the AWD is an extra cost option on both vehicles in the USA. Subaru has produced high performance versions of the Legacy with a Bilstein suspension and tuned turbocharged engines equivalent to the homologized rally version WRX STI (generating 205 kW (275 hp) on manufacturer’s figures for the 2.0 L equivalent engine with manual transmission). Recent 3.0 L engines move close to the 2.0 L turbo output and share the Bilstein suspension. 2.0 L-engined turbocharged models with the Bilstein suspension were named either the GT-B (for wagons), or Spec B, or RSK-B4 (for sedans). The new 2003 model moved many models to simply B4 or even GT in some countries. The Spec B badge still exists in the UK, where the 3.0R stands as the premier MY06 model. In Australia, the 2.5GT (SatNav) marks the top of the pile for the Legacy/Liberty range.
From September 2007 the Subaru Impreza range in Australia has been changed with models designated R, RX, RS and WRX. Initially only hatch models will be offered, and a sedan version will be available in 2008. The R, RX and RS all share the same engine – a new 2.0 L, with 110 kW @ 6400 rpm and 196 Nm @ 3200 rpm. Subaru recommend that the new engines be run on 95 RON premium unleaded fuel. Another noticeable difference from the Japanese Impreza is the removal of the “Engine Start” button from the Australian model. The iconic WRX has largely unchanged engine power output of 169 kW and 320 Nm from its 2.5 L engine. As with previous versions, there will only be a manual version of the WRX. The weight of the car also has been lightened to just 1400 kg, and gives the WRX a 0-100 km/h time of 5.8 seconds. The latest-generation of the STi (which will be in hatchback guise only) debuted in the Tokyo Auto Show in October 2007. The release date for a US launch is expected to be in March 2008.
Subaru introduced the so-called “New Age” Impreza to the world market in 2001. The second generation Impreza was intended to be larger, safer, stiffer, more refined, and more responsive. For many enthusiasts, the changes in the new car made it less desirable because it was heavier and slower with less of a raw edge to it. The WRX Sedan had a 20 mm wider track than its predecessor to aid handling, while the wagon remained the same. The coupe model was no longer available. The ovoid headlamp “bug-eyed” styling of the New Age Impreza was polarizing, but the improvements to the car brought greater mainstream acceptance. In the United States, release of the basic 227 hp 2.0 L turbocharged Impreza, the WRX, did not occur until the 2002 model year, and the Impreza WRX STi was delayed until the 2004 model year. The US version of the STi includes various departures from the Japanese and European counterparts, such as a turbocharged 2.5 L EJ25 engine (not to be confused with the naturally-aspirated engine used in the 2.5RS which is also called EJ25), rather than the twin scroll turbo 2.0 L engine sold elsewhere. All 2006 American Imprezas use some form of the 2.5 L EJ25 engine since naturally aspirated and turbo charged are available.
The Impreza, like many Subaru-built cars, was equipped with a flat engine, a distinguishing Subaru characteristic. Initial engine choices included 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated engines as well as the turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter engine. The basic turbocharged motor, the EJ20, produced from 180 kW (240 PS) to 210 kW (280PS) in Japanese market WRX trim depending on model and year. Outside Japan, the turbocharged model was initially rated at 211PS (208 hp) and marketed as the 2.0 Turbo, 2.0 GT, 2.0 GT Turbo or 2.0 WRX. Trim levels were LX, GL and Sport. LX models were front-wheel drive, and powered by a 1.6-liter engine; these were four-door only. GL trim levels were either front-wheel drive (Subaru badged these 2WD) or all-wheel-drive (badged AWD); cars launched in 1993 had a choice of 1.6 and 1.8 flat-4 engines, the 1.6 being available with 2WD, the 1.8 a AWD version only. From 1996, the 1.6 and 1.8 versions were dropped (in the European market), and replaced by a 2.0-liter engine. Sport versions had alloy wheels, and a 2.0-liter engine only. These were “warm hatch” versions which were similar to the WRX, albeit less adorned.
The Subaru Impreza is a compact car that was first introduced by Subaru in 1993. Impreza is a coined word, deriving from an originally Italian word, impresa, meaning a feat or achievement. In Polish, Impreza means party, event or show. The Impreza was introduced after the popular Leone/Loyale was canceled with the aging EA series engine. The Impreza was introduced with the popular EJ series engine found in the larger Subaru Legacy. Compared to vehicles in a similar size class such as Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, Mitsubishi Lancer and Mazda 323, only the Impreza has always offered AWD, and as of 1996 Subaru made this feature standard equipment in some markets. Subaru chose to continue their longstanding use of the boxer engine in the Impreza. According to Subaru, their configuration of the engine inline with the transmission minimizes body roll due to the lower center of gravity compared with the offset engines in most other vehicles. The Subaru layout is also light-weight and lends itself easily to support all-wheel-drive. The boxer design provides perfect vibration mitigation due to the fact that the movement of each piston is exactly countered by the corresponding piston in the opposing cylinder bank, eliminating the need for a counter-rotating weighted crankshaft (harmonic balancer). Torque steer is also reduced with this type of powertrain layout since the front drive shafts are of equal length, but as Subarus are all wheel drive, this is a non-issue.
