Subaru did rather well offering the first-generation Leone in the USA (regardless of the prominent characterization of it as also confined for sex), and also brought over the second-generation variation beginning in the 1980 design year. The wagon variation of the second-gen Leone was offered right here via 1984, and also it was offered with front- or all-wheel-drive and also in 3 trim degrees: base, DL, and also GL. Right here’s an instance of a heavily-optioned 4WD GL wagon, located in a vehicle graveyard in northeastern Colorado.
Subaru called every variation of the North American-market Leone (with the exception of the BRAT pick-up and also maybe the RX, if you consider its title an appropriate design name and also not a trim degree) merely “the Subaru” till 1990, when the later third-generation vehicles were provided Loyale badges. This baffled everyone, specifically after the XT showed up right here beginning in the 1985 design year.
Subaru mosted likely to all-wheel-drive on each of its North American-market lorries for the 1996 design year, however the business had actually been understood right here for four-wheel-drive wagons because the initial 4WD-equipped Leones appeared right here in the 1975 design year. For 1981, the rate of the front-wheel-drive GL wagon began at $6,545, with the four-wheel-drive GL valued at $6,795(that has to do with $22,290 and also $23,140 in inflation-adjusted 2022 bucks).
American Motors presented the all-wheel-drive Eagle for 1980, with Audi bringing Americans Quattro-equipped vehicles the list below year, so Subaru ultimately had actual competitors in the “non-truck with power to all 4 edges” group when this cars and truck was brand-new. Subaru really did not present the idiot-proof system that we would certainly currently call all– wheel-drive till later on in the 1980 s, so this cars and truck has a traditional four-wheel-drive system that needed the vehicle driver to draw a bar to switch over settings. If you drove for lengthy durations on completely dry sidewalk with four-wheel-drive involved, that suggested that you would certainly eliminate the tires (or even worse).
The reduced, level design of Subaru’s boxer-four engine allowed this spare-tire positioning under the hood. This is the optional 1.8-liter EA81 engine, ranked at a magnificent 72 horse power (the base 1.6 had 67 equines).
Customers of 1981 GL wagons obtained a five-speed handbook transmission as common tools … unless they desired the four-wheel-drive variation. Because situation, they obtained a great old four-on-the-floor handbook. You can obtain a brand-new Subaru with an automated throughout this duration, however those vehicles were unusual.
Would certainly you think a/c on such a prudent little cars and truck? Yes! Subaru would not mount the A/C in Japan; rather, purchasers had to obtain the suppliers to mount the system on this side of the Pacific.
The reduced trim degrees of Despair Age Subarus had common monochrome insides, however the snazzy ’81 GL obtained this vinyl-with-plaid-cloth furniture. Also somber Toyota captured Plaid High temperature with the a little later Tercel 4WD wagons.
It really did not get to the 200,000- mile mark throughout its life, however obtained close sufficient for respectability.
I really did not see any kind of significant corrosion (which is really uncommon for a Japanese cars and truck of this age), however every Subaru fanatic in the Front Variety area currently has a lots or even more of these vehicles stocked, without any area for a lot more. Can not conserve ’em all!
Subaru has constantly had a bumpy ride damaging the car-sales grip on the Japanese residence market held by the similarity Toyota and also Nissan, however still did its finest to pitch the second-generation Leone in your home.
The Skiers Unique! Make sure to appreciate the enormous shoulder pads on those gaijin versions.
They really did not require helicopters to obtain the 4WD Subarus to the top of the hill.
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