Субару Леоне: История и Модификации Компактного Автомобиля

The Subaru Leone is 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 for the Subaru 1000 and was the predecessor of the Subaru Impreza. All Leones were powered by the Subaru EA boxer engine. Most cars were equipped with optional four wheel drive. At the time of its introduction, the Leone was Subaru's top model until 1989, when the larger Legacy was introduced. 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 commonly sold. 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. The car is thus often referred to simply as the Subaru GL or the Subaru L series.

The Leone was first introduced to the United States in 1972. In 1976 the EA63 engine was replaced with the 1.6 liter EA71 engine. The EA71 engine was originally installed in cars equipped with automatic transmission but eventually supplanted the EA63 across the entire range of vehicles in the US and Australia. Using Subaru's new SEEC T technology meant that a catalytic converter was not necessary, lowering cost and enabling the use of leaded fuel. Power in 49 state (US) trim was at 5200 rpm (two horsepower less in California), although drivability and gas mileage suffered distinctly from the emissions equipment. The Wagon was also available with four wheel drive, beginning with the 1977 model year. A print ad for the 1973 Subaru GL coupé referred to the engine as "quadrozontal". The large bumpers required in the United States sat on hydraulic units; these were not a part of the original design and thus intruded considerably into the luggage compartment. Late 1977 saw the introduction of the Subaru BRAT as a 1978 model. This was a two seater body with a pickup truck bed, with two seats welded into the bed to evade the so called chicken tax on light commercial vehicles. Export sales began in the fall with the 1980 model year. The earlier two door sedan was replaced by a three door hatchback design ("Swingback" in Japan), as an alternative to contemporary hatchback competitors. The Swingback, however, differed from its competitors in offering the option of four wheel drive. In 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". This allowed the driver to engage 4WD with a simple push of a button rather than shifting a lever as in the manual models. The electric switch activated a solenoid that pushed the clutch plates together, thereby engaging the driveshaft to the rear wheels. A new 1.8 L EA81 engine was added to the lineup from the beginning. In November 1983, a turbocharger with optional multi port fuel injection was also added to the BRAT and Turbo Wagon models. It was available as a four door sedan or as a 4WD wagon.

On July 16, 1984, the Leone saw its second major redesign utilizing what was called "folded paper" appearance. In Europe, the range was 1.3 DL, 1.6 DL, 1.6 GL, 1.8 DL, and 1.8 GL 4WD. There were also Turbo versions, with in catalyzed specifications. For 1987, the Leone received a facelift with a smoothed out appearance. From September 1988 until July 1993, the van version was also provided to Isuzu as the "Geminett II" under an OEM deal. By 1990 the Leone name continued to be used in Japan but 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 where the third generation was the last to be assembled locally by Motor Holdings at Waitara. The popularity of the Leone wagon was ceded to the new, larger, Legacy wagon in 1989 and was ultimately replaced by the Impreza in 1994. The Impreza was introduced with a 'hatch like' wagon which was reminiscent of the first and second generation Leone wagons. There were no third generation BRAT/Brumby/MV pickup as the range was discontinued after 1987. There was however a concept for a Subaru Suiren and the next generation Subaru Baja.

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. Drivers for individual rallies included Ari Vatanen, Per Eklund, Shekhar Mehta, Mike Kirkland, Possum Bourne, Frank Tundo, Harald Demut and Chilean driver Jose Antonio Celsi. Mike Kirkland finished 6th overall and won the A Group at the 1986 Safari Rally. That year Subaru was one of the only manufacturers combining 4WD and turbo. Jose Antonio Celsi finished eight in the 1986 Marlboro Rally Argentina and fifth in the 1988 Marlboro Rally Argentina. During 1989 Subaru entry two works RX Turbo for Jose Antonio Celsi and Possum Bourne. Celsi finished fourth, but retired on the final road section and Bourne retired during the first stage. 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.

Introduced in August 1994, the Subaru Leone Van was a badge engineered version of the Nissan AD van for light commercial uses. The Leone's successor Legacy and Impreza did not compete in this segment. It was sold in two generations until the 2001 model year. In March 2001, sales of the Leone Van ended. The Sambar, which had grown larger due to changes in mini vehicle standards, was beginning to compete with the Leone Van. The name of "Leone" ended after three decades. At the same time, it meant Subaru's withdrawal from the small truck market.