Subaru Alcyone SVX: Купе мечты из Японии

The Subaru Alcyone SVX, marketed outside Japan as the Subaru SVX, is a two door, front engine, all or front wheel drive coupé manufactured and marketed by Subaru from 1991 to 1996 over a single generation. Superseding the company's aviation influenced XT range, the Alcyone SVX was Subaru's first entry into the luxury/performance market, and was noted for its aircraft inspired 'window within a window' side glass configuration. The nameplate "Alcyone" (pronounced "al SIGH uh nee") refers to the brightest star in the Pleiades constellation, stylized in the Subaru company logo. The suffix "SVX" is an acronym for "Subaru Vehicle X".

The Subaru Alcyone SVX debuted as a concept at the 1989 Tokyo Auto Show with styling by noted Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign. The SVX entered production, retaining its window within a window configuration, adapted from the previous generation Subaru Alcyone with an additional extension of glass covering the A pillar — which Subaru described as an "aircraft inspired glass to glass canopy." In contrast to the angular XT, the SVX featured softer lines with its two piece power side windows. Each side window featured an operable section roughly two thirds of the entire windows size, with the division parallel to the upper curve of the door frame. The SVX featured a drag coefficient of , identical to that of the XT coupe it replaced. European market cars had a slightly lower wind resistance of , thanks to a larger undertray. From 1991 to 1992, Subaru displayed the Amadeus, a prototype shooting brake variation on the SVX, in both two and four door versions, which was considered for production. Ultimately the Amadeus was not produced.

Sales of the SVX reached 14,257 in the United States and a total of 24,379 worldwide. 2,478 SVXs were sold in Europe (of which 951 went to Switzerland, 854 to Germany, and 60 to France). Roughly 7,000 of all SVXs sold were right hand drive models. Included in this number were the 249 vehicles sold in Australia, at a cost between approx. A$73,000 to A$83,000. 5,884 units remained in Japan. The SVX was also developed and released during Japan's "bubble economy", and as the economic condition in Japan continued to decline, it had an effect on sales in Japan.

In Japan, the SVX was the first Subaru to exceed government dimension regulations with regards to the vehicles exterior measurements. The SVX also obligated Japanese buyers to pay more annual road tax which limited sales due to the engine displacement. The SVX was not Subaru's first car to be sold in Japan with an engine bigger than two litres; this honor goes to the preceding Alcyone XT6. The models offered in Japan were the L (similar to the LSi in the US) and the S4. As a result, in Japan the SVX was considered a luxury vehicle and was equipped appropriately with one touch climate control, leather interior, front seats that were both electrically adjustable and heated, a single disc CD player coupled with a Panasonic AM/FM stereo system, that was hidden behind a retractable panel, and a remote controlled infrared keyless entry with security system. Later S Four badged versions had Some later Japanese models also came with upgraded 16 inch forged diamond spoke BBS alloy wheels instead of the 16 inch 5 spoke wheels that was standard equipment that most SVX’s came with. Television advertising in Japan used Alison Krauss singing "Five Hundred Miles", a reference to the car being able to travel on one tank of fuel, with a fuel economy of .

Subaru introduced the SVX in the United States in July 1991 (as a 1992 model), following the US debut with a Japanese market introduction in September of that same year. The model was designed and marketed as the replacement for the Alcyone XT and Alcyone XT6 coupes. Outside Japan, the Alcyone designation was dropped, and the car was marketed as the Subaru SVX. The 1992 Subaru Legacy received a facelift inspired by the SVX. The introduction of the SVX followed the 1990 introduction of the Acura NSX and the 1980 introduction of the Isuzu Piazza. The MSRP for the US base model 1992 SVX L was $24,445, with the top of the line model with touring package (leather trim, 8 way electronic seat adjustment, tilt and slide sunroof), the LS L, listing at $28,000. a race starting in Seattle to the Arctic Circle and back. In the early 1990s there was a Subaru SVX PPG Pace Car. It featured a silver to purple fade paint job, silver wheels in the front, purple wheels in the rear, "SVX" windshield banner, roll cage and an amber roof light. It was evaluated by Wally Dallenbach Sr, Indy Car Chief Steward and PPG Pace Car evaluator. It was used as a promotional tool for Subaru, as well as a pace car. While most pace cars were retired after one season, the SVX proved to be such a worthy example and a favorite, and was used for several seasons. It was in storage for many years in the "Subaru Performance Attic" in Cherry Hill, New Jersey near Subaru of America's new headquarters in Camden, New Jersey.