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Subaru Leone and 4X4
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1971 - 1979 |
Country: |
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Engine: |
Flat 4 "boxer" |
Capacity: |
1361/1600 cc |
Power: |
72 kw |
Transmission: |
4 spd. man |
Top Speed: |
n/a |
Number Built: |
n/a |
Collectability: |
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The Subaru Leone made its debut in June 1971, and the
Subaru Leone 4WD Station Wagon followed in September 1972.
Both sedan and 4WD wagon shared the same suspension and
engine, at the front was strut type independent suspension,
while at the rear was a semi-trailing arm type independent
suspension.
Many credit the Leone 4WD as the car that introduced the
world to the concept of the SUV - as nearly all 4X4's
had been - up until that time - limited to off-road vehicles.
The mass-produced 4WD variation of the Leone remained
an ordinary passenger vehicle - made extra-ordinary by
having (somewhat limited) off-road capabilities.
When the vehicle was first put on the market, demand came
mainly as a result of the special applications the car
could be used for, such as commercial use in snowy and
mountainous areas. However, the car was highly praised
in both the domestic (Japanese) and overseas markets for
its originality.
In 1974 the unconventional "Boxer" engine
was increased in capacity to 1.6 liters, giving the
Leone a much needed boost in power.
So successful was the 4WD Leone that Subaru was to invest
heavily in their 4WD technology, and this was the forerunner
to Subaru's current AWD technology so widely praised today.
While Fuji Heavy Industries has gone on to manufacture
high quality, high performance and extremely well polished
cars today, during the 1970's the Leone was not all that
well sorted.
The car lacked refinement, NVH was high, the seats
uncomfortable and the frameless doors added to the
feeling of the car being very "lightweight and tinny".
Soon rust would become the early model Leone's biggest
enemy, and seeing one on the roads today would be an
extremely rare occurence. |