The Subaru all-wheel drive success story began in 1979 in Switzerland. The Emil Frey Group took over the brand’s imports and relied on a trusted brand ambassador in the form of popular downhill world champion and Olympic champion Bernhard Russi. Since 1979, Subaru has sold approximately 360,000 4×4 vehicles in Switzerland. At that time, the market share of all-wheel drive passenger cars was just under one percent; almost 50 percent in Switzerland today. We’re flashing back.
Subaru 1600 4WD
In a three-minute television commercial in 1979, Bernhard Russi tried to convince Mr. and Mrs. Schweizer of the advantages of his Subaru 1600 4WD. The dignified looking “Truckli” from Japan does not quite fit the automotive beauty ideal prevailing in our country. However, it is robust, practical and inexpensive. Thanks to the high ground clearance and switchable all-wheel drive, the all-wheel drive vehicle does not get stuck in snow and ice, on forest roads or wet meadows. Russi’s message is delivered. Just two years later, the 1600 4WD became the best-selling station wagon in our country.
Subaru Justy
Neither is too small to be all-wheel drive. This has been true for Subaru Justy for a long time. In the summer of 1984, the first Justy, which was still a Subaru development at the time, was released. With manually switchable 4×4 and 3-cylinder engines of 50 to 73 hp, without center differential and 17 cm ground clearance. In the fall of 1995, Justy II begins – now with a permanent 4×4. As a three- and five-door model, it is based on the Suzuki Swift for cost reasons. And the next Justy generation is a Suzuki collaborative effort. 2007 kicks off the last Justy generation, now as a replica of the Daihatsu Sirion and with front wheel drive. Although we have a special 4×4 version, Justy can no longer repeat his previous successes. And so comes the end of the 4×4 midget in 2011.
Subaru SVX
Subaru may also be elegant, but this is not appreciated by the public. Although the body of the SVX, launched in 1991, was penned by star designer Giugiaro, the round coupé with its striking two-piece side windows did not become a bestseller. Instead of the expected 10,000 units, Subaru sold just 5,180 units of the 230-hp 3.3-liter boxer six-cylinder SVX in the United States in its first year. And when sales in the most important market dropped to 640 units at the end of 1997, Subaru stopped production again. Within eight years, only 25,000 SVXs were sold worldwide, almost 2,500 of them to Europe.
Subaru Impreza
Exactly 30 years ago with the launch of the Impreza, Subaru got really sporty. The Japanese have tried with the larger Legacy before at the World Rally Championship. But Subaru only really succeeded with the Impreza, which was released in 1992. Colin McRae (1968-2007) with the legendary blue Impreza 555 was the first Subaru driver to win the world rally championship in 1995. The Japanese also won the Rally Constructors World Championship from 1995 to 1997. The second Impreza generation was also sportingly successful. Richard Burns (1971-2005) became World Rally Champion in 2001, two years later Petter Solberg (47). After that, Subaru retired from racing. The Impreza is still available today – now in the fifth generation as a decent compact sedan, but of course still with a 4×4 from 25,450 francs.
Subaru Solterra
Subaru is entering the electric age with the new Solterra, which was recently released. The name Solterra consists of the Latin terms “Sol” (sun) and “Terra” (earth). Subaru probably wants to point out the better environmental balance of an electric drive. The first Subaru Stromer was developed in close collaboration with Toyota. Toyota was responsible for the drive module, while Subaru brought its all-wheel drive expertise to the joint project. Two 109 hp (80 kW) e-machines on each axle provide a 4×4 electric crossover and a system output of 218 hp and 336 Nm. Depending on the equipment, the range is between 410 and 450 kilometers and prices start at CHF 55,900. It’s possible that a sporty STI version with more power could arrive soon.