author | Yi Sidi husband
as the imported car brand, Subaru moment there are at least two people to bear in mind the characteristics of a first horizontally opposed engine, the second is the full-time four-wheel drive system, which is already two technical indicators Subaru brand’s core selling point.
coupled with the rage SUV models, Subaru some time to become a star of the domestic automobile market brands.
BOXER boxer engine
Although the drive BRZ after “specialized” pre-let younger fans re-acquainted with Subaru, also re-acquainted Japanese style hardtop Coupe.
even in Japan, Subaru as well as in the home after flooding SambarTruck (KeiCar level, there are 4WD models), but for the Subaru brand in the global operations of the advantages of these two technologies is still on.
pot of gold from RR mini cars
However, the time to pull back the late 1950s, that is, 1958 when the amount of the first Subaru sold to the Japanese market production models –Subaru360, which is equipped with an air-cooled two-cylinder inline engine with RR (rear, rear drive) arranged mini-car.
Subaru360
360 production lasted 12 years, is the hero of the Subaru brand to grab the pot of gold. As World War II, the Japanese market a low-cost, practical two-door mini-car (with the current concept, it is that KeiCar), 360 has been the favorite of Japanese nationals, the rapid growth of the post-war economy also makes Japanese reinforce dependence on cars.
in its 12-year production cycle, Subaru 360 produced a total of 392,000 units, becoming the best-selling cars on the market.
in the 1960sSubaru is not only Fuji Heavy Industries (FujiHeavyIndustriesGroup) owned a new car brand, is also a small Japanese brands on the market, so in addition to 360 companies trying to export to the United States outside, Subaru is also planning to develop more of the new models.
So when the time to 1966, when Subaru wants to honor its commitment to build a “real car” is, which is the expansion of production and market share the key rate step.
However, the time to push down twelve years ago, Subaru really tried a “real car” program, even more than 360 officially launched even earlier four years.
the RR the rear drive arrangement
The so-called “real car”, is nothing more than a small car or compact the above “cart”, with at least point hedonic. Rather than the mini car that not only run faster, it can not be installed “means of transport” under more family members.
tried “Ponton” plan fell through
Subaru as the early 1950s this model is defined as “P-1” project, although early this car in 360 appearances, it can be said for the first time Subaru car manufacturing. But the frustration P-1 is not the final mass production, thereby Subaru before he turned to more easily commercialized 360.
P-1 project Subaru1500
The so-called P-1, P This letter is in fact a trend was from car design: Ponton. The word translates to “Ponton.” What is Ponton? It simply is a modern automotive design, is the prototype of the modern car.
comprises a substantially streamlined body features, and integration of the hood fender, is bluntly said monolithic body design. The most famous Ponton body style of the mid-1950s to the number of Mercedes – Benz Ponton series.
1953 Mercedes – Benz Ponton180 (W120)
As the “pioneer”, Subaru P-1 is not only compact and smooth monolithic body, which also uses a dual front suspension fork arm structure, the rear axle is a leaf spring arrangement.
Since the early days of the Subaru did not determine the technical route, the Subaru P-1 is also its first rear-drive layout of the car —- BRZ regarded as the second paragraph.
is the first time repairer, time is tight and heavy task, Subaru developed after their own body, found another Japanese car company – Prince Motor Company, on to the next engine sharing contract.
At that time, Prince Motor Company this FG4A-based 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine from the actual technology licensing Peugeot Sochaux in France. The prototype mounted on 1.3 l four-cylinder gasoline engine on the Peugeot 203.
Peugeot 203 four-cylinder engine and equipment
At that time, cars with engine displacement accustomed to naming , the program P-1 is also referred Subaru1500. In order not to be controlled by others, Subaru same period also launched a self-developed.
Soon after, based FG4A engine development L4-1 appearance, still 1.5 liters displacement, OHV of use (overhead valve, cam shaft opposite side) of the intake arrangement. Most importantly, the percentage of 20 Subaru L4-1 lighter than the prototype, and using a water-cooled cylinder liner for better stability.
However, since only a pilot project, the P-1 produced in total of 20, wherein the pre-11 used Prince car FG4A engine, a subsequent launch 9 Subaru L4-1 using their engines.
and in which 20 cars, there are 14 available to private use, for evaluation experience; another six become a taxi Isesaki City (Isesaki) Gunma, data collection .
1500 Subaru Although no energy production, but help the 360’s success. But soon in 1960, SpartakLu out the replacement vehicle –A-5 program 1500, a compact front-drive, a 1.5 liter four-cylinder gasoline engine opposed.
from the drive to the precursor of the era
In the early 1960s, Japan’s economic development into the fast lane, the rapid development of the city after World War II, rapid increase in the level of urbanization while the number of miles of public roads have begun to multiply.
wealthy Japanese began to focus on the bigger size of the car, while family members began to increase, also means that mini vehicles can not meet the needs of the average family.
Subaru1000 series
Due to changes in the market, after the A-5 project will soon be out of date. In this context, Subaru launched in 1963 slightly smaller A-4 project, which is later Subaru1000 prototype. However, the actual final production, the product code is changed again to A-63
For Subaru, it was selling well despite the 360, but it certainly still is a compact car company, compared to Toyota, Prince car, Mazda and Suzuki, if not on innovation models, so in a few years, Subaru will sink down.
Therefore, in order to enhance the car’s handling, but also to get a better tracking of snow and ice roads in winter, Subaru We selected driving mode of FF FF to a-63 project.
For the engine, but also another way Subaru developed a water-cooled horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine of 977mL. In that year, the Subaru BOXER engine is no doubt create a brand in Japan.
relative inline four-cylinder engines, the BOXER lower mounting position, can effectively reduce the vehicle body center of gravity; Further, since the structural advantages, the BOXER NVH performance is better than a four-cylinder in-line.
Thus, A-63 to engine displacement named for Subaru1000, which exhibit not only better than other brands mute while 55hpThe maximum power also allows outstanding dynamic performance.
In fact the real reason is very light curb weight: 670kg. And 60 percent by weight distribution of the front axle, so even with the snow mountain, Subaru1000 also been very flexible.
October 21, 1965, the 1000 Subaru models has been shown to Japanese media, eight days after its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show. Then in May 1966 scheduled to start in October started delivery of the first car.
to February 1967 when the 1000 models of the Subaru was expanding catalog. In addition to the previous four sedan models, also added two sedan, followed in September we launched a five travel version. To 1968, when it launched a 1000SS models, the maximum power increase to 67hp, it provides better acceleration performance. After
for three years, that is, in March 1969, Subaru1000 ushered in the mid-term facelift – and now almost almost a replacement car. Engine displacement increased from 977mL to 1088mL, providing maximum power 62hp and 77hp two specifications.
Subsequently car names have changed, the changes from Subaru1000 FF-1Star. In fact this time the name of the car more precisely, FF is the abbreviation FrontEngine, FrontDrive front precursor of.
After the 1000 launch, Subaru can say that ushered in the best period of sales, not only “real car” exports to the United States market, with subsequent facelift FF-1Star, Subaru sales not only stabilized, but also occupies a place in the Japanese automobile companies. Is a typical product ideas by the upper car brand.
a chance to a four-wheel drive era
step by step, to challenge themselves almost all the auto companies pioneering days will do the thing, Subaru is no exception.
SubaruFF-1 two cars
to July 1970, they again developed a new engine – the maximum power of 80hp 1267mL horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine, due to the displacement rounded to 1.3 liters, so after this engine loading, the new car also named FF11300-G, and officially began selling in 1971.
For Subaru, the real turning points in 1970. Then Tohoku Electric Power Company proposed a model tender, is the need to have a snow handling, a good dynamic performance is required, there is a warm car better.
because it was the power companies are still using Mitsubishi Motors developed based Willis MB CJ-3B-J3 off-road vehicles, although the cross-country good ability, but it is not suitable for winter use.
At this time, Subaru began using pre-precursor of the FF-11300G Travel Edition huh “creation”, their idea is very simple, this is a precursor of a four-wheel drive wagon implant system meet winter power company’s operational requirements.
Subaru again suffered heavy task, time is tight challenge. At the time, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan Subaru Miyagi accepted this project, started just like the modified car that, through transplantation Nissan Bluebird rear axle and differential, and you’re done. But then, Fuji Heavy Industries fancy business opportunities, and to personally take over the project – to achieve the independent intellectual property rights, prohibiting the use of Nissan parts.
Soon, eight test prototype car at the assembly line, and one of them also boarded the October 1971 Tokyo Motor Show booth. That is, the Subaru declared to the world at the time, into the front-wheel-drive models they arranged from the front precursor of the car.
again combing the business history of Subaru, is not difficult to develop, opportunities are belong to prepare enterprises. If the A-63 project is not successful, there is no Subaru1000 and FF-1Star of popular, there would be no Subaru brandJapan based on causal relationships.
Later, there would be no response to customer calls, the development of four-wheel type. Of course, we are in today, we will not see a personality full of Subaru brand.
Since the 1970s, Subaru with four-wheel drive system emerged as a technology brand image of the house. And after the launch of FF-11300G four-wheel drive version, Subaru began running from the car rally ……