Subaru Leone
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- This article incorporates information from the equivalent article on the Japanese Wikipedia.
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| Manufacturer | Subaru |
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| Parent company | Fuji Heavy Industries |
| Production | 1971-1994 |
| Assembly | Ōta, Gunma, Japan |
| Predecessor | Subaru 1000 |
| Successor | Subaru Impreza |
| Class | Subcompact |
The Subaru Leone was a compact car produced by the Japanese car manufacturer Subaru from 1971 to 1994. The word "leone" is Italian for lion.
It was released as a replacement to the Subaru 1000 and was the predecessor to the Subaru Impreza. All Leones were powered by the Subaru EA boxer engine. Most cars were equipped with optional four-wheel drive.
Although released in Japan and some export markets as the Leone, for many years, this was the only vehicle sold internationally by Subaru where the smaller kei cars Rex, Vivio, R-2, 360 and Sambar were not sold or considered road legal. As a result in major markets such as Australia, Europe and North America, it was instead identified with a trim level designation, some of which included: DL, GL, GLF, GLF5, GL-10, and RX. This means the car is often referred to simply as the Subaru GL or the Subaru L-Series.
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[edit] 1st generation
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| Production | 1971-1981 |
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| Body style(s) | 2-door hardtop coupé 2-door sedan 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon 2-door pickup truck |
| Layout | front-wheel drive All-wheel drive optional |
| Engine(s) | 1.4 L EA63 H4 OHV 1.6 L EA71 H4 OHV |
| Transmission(s) | 4-speed manual 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2,455 mm (96.7 in) |
| Length | 3,995 mm (157.3 in) |
| Width | 1,500 mm (59.1 in) |
| Height | 1,385 mm (54.5 in) |
| Curb weight | 775 kg (1,710 lb) |
The first generation of the Leone was released October 7, 1971 as a front-wheel drive coupé, with trim levels DL, GL, and in Japan, the GS, and the GSR. April 1972 saw the introduction of the 2- and 4-door sedan with trim levels DL, GL and in Japan, the Super Touring. In September 1972, the four-wheel drive (4WD) station wagon was released, however it did not appear in the United States until 1974. Until then, four-wheel drive had been limited to mainly off-road vehicles for special use. Subaru broke that pattern by introducing a mass-produced four-wheel drive passenger car. Throughout the years, the Leone would see the introduction of a two-door hardtop, a four-door sedan, and a four-wheel drive station wagon. The Leone competed with the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sunny, Honda Civic, and the Mitsubishi Lancer.
In August 1968, Subaru entered into an alliance with Nissan Motors, and the appearance of the new Leone was influenced by design efforts from Nissan, most notably the long hood and short trunk appearance that Nissan was using at the time for their products. This styling characteristic allowed Subaru to install the engine in front of the transmission and made the implementation of AWD practical. The Japan-spec 1400 GSR was one of the first Japanese automobiles to use 4 wheel disc brakes. The 2-door hardtop was introduced June 1973. This vehicle introduced a long established Subaru tradition of manufacturing frameless side windows on both the front and rear doors.
The first-generation Leones were equipped with either a 1.4 L or 1.6 L, flat-4, carbureted, OHV engine. They were available with a 4-speed manual transmission, 5-speed manual transmission or a 3-speed automatic transmission beginning in 1975. Some early models had drum brakes in the front, however later they were all equipped with disc brakes in the front. All models had rear drum brakes. Unusually the handbrake or emergency brake operated on the front wheels.
The Leone was first brought to the United States of America in 1972. The 4WD station wagon did not make it to the U.S. until 1974, released as a 1975 model. In 1976 the EA63 engine was replaced with the EA71 engine, which was optional the year before in the GF hardtop.
In April 1977 an updated Leone range was released. All body panels were altered slightly and a completely new dashboard was fitted. Despite these changes, however, the overall effect was much the same as the earlier version and virtually mechanically identical.
1977 also saw the introduction of the Subaru BRAT, which was based on the Leone platform, a two-seater with a pickup truck bed.
[edit] 2nd generation
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| Production | 1979-1989 |
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| Body style(s) | 2-door coupé 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon 2-door pickup truck 3-door hatchback |
| Layout | front-wheel drive All-wheel drive optional |
| Engine(s) | 1.6 L H4 OHV EA71 1.8 L H4 OHV EA81 |
| Transmission(s) | 3-speed automatic 4-speed manual 5-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2,370 mm (93.3 in) |
| Length | 3,980 mm (156.7 in) |
| Width | 1,620 mm (63.8 in) |
| Height | 1,415 mm (55.7 in) |
| Curb weight | 930 kg (2,100 lb) |
In June 1979 the Leone saw its first complete model update. This generation was released with offerings in a two-door coupe, four-door sedan, station wagon, as well as a three-door hatchback. This generation of the Leone was not released to the United States until 1980. Subaru was first introduced to Europe in 1980.
New to this generation included a four-speed 4WD transmission with both high- and low-range gearing. 4WD automatic transmissions were also now offered, allowing the driver to engage 4WD with a simple push of a button. November 1981, Subaru introduced Japan's first all-wheel-drive vehicle with an automatic transmission, utilizing the world's first "wet hydraulic multi-plate clutch" known as MP-T, which helped improve drivability over traditional four-wheel-drive systems.
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The new 1.8 L EA81 engine was added in 1980. In November 1982, a turbocharger with multi-port fuel injection option was also added on BRAT and Turbo Wagon models. It was only available with an automatic transmission and 3.70:1 gearing. In Japan the top-spec 1800 GTS sedan was the first Subaru to offer air conditioning, power windows, and power steering.
The 2nd generation hatchback and BRAT were made alongside the 3rd generation offerings until 1987 for the BRAT, and 1989 for the hatchback. All other 2nd generation models were discontinued by 1985.
In the USA, uplevel trim level vehicles could be identified by having four headlights installed in the grille, whereas economy models had two headlights.
[edit] Subaru BRAT
The Subaru BRAT (an acronym for Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter) was a pickup version of the Subaru Leone introduced in 1977. The BRAT was developed directly from the company's four-wheel drive station wagon model and was first introduced as a 1978 model — following the concept of the Chevrolet El Camino and the Ford Ranchero,
American versions also had carpeting and welded-in rear-facing jumpseats in the cargo area — serving actually to circumvent a tariff known as the Chicken tax. Although the BRAT could fairly be called a truck, the plastic seats in the cargo bed allowed Subaru to classify the BRAT as a passenger car. Passenger cars imported into the US were charged only a 2.5% tariff, compared to 25% on light trucks.
The BRAT was restyled in 1981 and the jumpseats were discontinued after the 1985 model year. The BRAT was introduced with a rise in popularity of small trucks being sold in the USA, primarily from Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda. Production continued into 1993 but ceased to be imported to North America in 1987. It was also known as the Brumby in Australia and the Shifter in the UK. Imports to Europe, Australia, and New Zealand continued until February 1994. The BRAT wasn't sold in Japan and was manufactured for export markets.
All BRATs had four-wheel drive and the Subaru EA engine. Early models received a 1.6L EA-71 whereas 1981 and later models received a 1.8 L EA-81 engine. 1983 and 1984 models could be purchased with an optional 94 hp (70 kW) turbocharged engine. Manual transmissions were standard on all models and an automatic transmission was available on turbocharged BRATs. 1980 and earlier models had a single-range transfer case, while 1981 and later GL models had a dual range transfer case (DLs still had single range) and all turbocharged models were equipped with an automatic transmission with single range push-button four-wheel drive.
In 2003, Subaru tried this approach again but with four doors on the second generation Subaru Outback platform called the Subaru Baja.
[edit] 3rd generation
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| Also called | Subaru DL Subaru GL Subaru Loyale Subaru Omega Subaru L-Series Subaru GL-10 Subaru RX |
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| Production | 1984-1994 |
| Body style(s) | 3-door hatchback coupé (rare) 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon |
| Layout | Front-wheel drive 4WD on Demand All-Wheel Drive (4WD Full Time) |
| Engine(s) | 1.8 L H4 SOHC EA82 1.6 L H4 SOHC EA82 (EDM) 1.8 L Turbo H4 SOHC EA82 |
| Transmission(s) | 3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic 4-speed manual 5-speed manual 5-speed Dual Range manual with Differential Lock |
| Wheelbase | 2,470 mm (97.2 in) (sedan) |
| Length | 4,435 mm (174.6 in) (sedan) |
| Width | 1,660 mm (65.4 in) |
| Height | 1,335 mm (52.6 in) (2WD sedan) |
| Curb weight | 1,060 kg (2,300 lb) (RX) |
On July 16, 1984, the Leone saw its second major redesign. This generation was released with offerings in a three-door coupe hatchback and four-door sedan RX-II, as well as a continuation of the popular station wagon body style. This generation of the Leone made its way to the United States in 1985.
In Europe, the range was 1.6 DL, 1.6 GL, 1.8 DL and 1.8 GL 4WD. The sedan versions were offered up until 1992, then the range was reduced to wagons only in 1993. The 1.8-litre versions were phased out in 1991.
In North America, the 1.6 L engine was dropped completely from the lineup, due to its lack of power.
A new 1.8 L SOHC engine, EA-82 was offered instead of the OHV 1.8 L Flat-4 engine. The engine was available with a carburetor, single point fuel injection, multi-port fuel injection, or multi-port fuel injection with a turbocharger for fuel delivery.
Later models in the generation saw the option of a full-time 4WD manual transmission as well as a full-time 4WD four-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission.
RX 3-door Hatchback is a rarity and very few remain operational today. It can be recognized as well as having a rear wing and factory ground effects kit. 4WD Fulltime transmission (AWD), Differential Lock Control combined with turbo engine makes an interesting combination. Other characteristics are Rally suspension, ventilated disk brakes, power windows, A/C, electric lock doors, power sunroof, adjustable seats and wheel, full indicative panel, Hill Holder and only 1,060 kg (2,337 lb) of weight. Year 1989 marked the end of the production of the RX.
Other options (Standard and Optional) found in Leone 3rd generation are full digital instrument panel, self diagnostic computer, travel computer, cruise control, pneumatics suspension with selectable height, power windows, electric lock doors, power sunroof, electric mirrors and Hill-holder.
In 1990, the Leone name continued to be used in Japan, but the car was now known as the Loyale in Chile, the United States, and Canada, the L-Series in Europe and Australia and as the Omega in New Zealand. The popularity of the Leone wagon was ceded to the new, larger, Legacy wagon in 1989, and when the Leone was replaced by the Impreza in 1994, the new Impreza was introduced with a reduced cargo capacity wagon, which is reminiscent of the second generation Leone wagon.
[edit] Leone Delivery Van
August 1994, the Subaru Leone was a badge engineered version of the Nissan AD van for light commercial uses until model year 2001.
[edit] Motorsport
[edit] World Rally Championship
Subaru Rally Team Japan led by Noriyuki Koseki (founder of Subaru Tecnica International STI) ran Subaru Leone coupé, sedan DL and RX Turbo in the World Rally Championship between 1980 and 1989 a few rallies per season.[1] Drivers for individual rallies included Ari Vatanen, Per Eklund, Shekhar Mehta, Mike Kirkland, Possum Bourne and Harald Demut. Mike Kirkland finished 6th overall and won the A Group at the 1986 Safari Rally. That year Subaru was one of the only manufactures combining 4WD and turbo.[2] Subaru changed the rally model to Legacy RS for the 1990-1992 period and took part in the first complete season in the World Rally Championship with the same model in 1993.
Leone (3rd Generation) RX Rally Specs (Sedan & Coupe):
Activity: (1985-1989)
Power @ rpm: 190 bhp (142 kW; 193 PS) at 6500
Torque @ rpm: 230 N·m (170 lb·ft) at 5200
Length Width Height: 4370 mm 1660 mm 1425 mm
Weight (kg/BPM Ratio): 1060 (0)
Transmission: 4x4 Fulltime
Engine Type: H4 Boxer SOHC x 2
Engine Position: Boxer Turbocharged
Engine Capacity: 1781 cc
Engine Bore: 92 mm (3.6 in)
Engine Stroke: 67 mm (2.6 in)
Engine Compression: 7.6:1
Engine Valves: 8
Engine Carburation: Electronic Multi-Point
Turbo: IHI
Body Doors: 2 (Coupe) or 4 (Sedan)
Body Type: Coupe and Sedan
Brakes: Ventilated disks
Fuel Tank: 60 L (16 US gal; 13 imp gal)
[edit] Notes
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Subaru Leone |
- ^ "Motorsport History - 1990". Subaru Global. http://www.subaru-msm.com/global/history/history/1990.html. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
- ^ "Subaru Leone 1800 Details". Rallye-Info.com. http://www.rallye-info.com/carmodel.asp?car=151. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
[edit] References
- Faber Rally Team
- SUBARU LEONE RX/II COUPE
- Subaru RX Fans at Cardomain
- Subaru Global History
- Everything Subaru Research Archive
- 'Before the STi...' (Subaru Leone Article) from AutoSpeed.com
