Subaru Rex

Infobox Automobile


name =Subaru Rex
manufacturer =Subaru
production =1972–1992
class =Kei car
body_style =3-door Hatchback
5-door Hatchback
predecessor = Subaru R-2
successor = Subaru Vivio
similar =Suzuki Alto
Mitsubishi Minica
Daihatsu Mira

The Subaru Rex, also known as Ace or SX700 in some countries, was a keicar automobile produced from 1972 to 1992 for sale in Japan by Subaru, although it was also sold in other countries, such as Chile.

The Rex was the replacement for the Subaru R-2, which was meant to be the replacement for the long lived, but outdated Subaru 360. Because the R-2 was based largely on the 360, it lasted only a few years. In contrast, the 360 was produced for 11 years and the Rex was produced for 20.

The Subaru Rex represented a fresh start, having little do with the Subaru 360, although they did share a rear-engine layout. The Rex featured a 358 cc rear-mounted, watercooled, two-cylinder, four-stroke engine, upgraded from the two stroke engine used by the 360 and R-2 models. The yellow Subaru REX (1972) in the photo featured a 544 cc rear-mounted, watercooled, two-cylinder, four-stroke engine with a 4 gear + Reverse gearbox It produced 31 HP @6200 rpm and 4.2 Kgm @ 3500 rpm. Other information, according to the original OWNER'S MANUAL at the SPECIFICATIONS chapter are:

ENGINEType EK 23 Water-cooled, 4-stroke, 2 cylinder engine
Bore x Stroke mm (in) 76.0 x 60.0 (2.99 x 2.36)
Piston displacement cc (cu in.) 544 (33.2)
Compression ratio 8.3:1

TRANSMISSIONNumber of speeds 4-forward with syncromesh and 1-reverse
Gear ratio 1st 4.363 (max speed: 35 km/h - 21 miles/h)
2nd 2.625 (max speed: 60 km/h - 37 miles/h)
3rd 1.809 (max speed: 90 km/h - 56 miles/h)
4th 1.269 (max speed: 110 km/h - 68 miles/h)
Reverse 4.272
Final gear ratio 4.315

STEERINGType Rack and pinion

TIRE SIZE(Front& Rear) 5.20 - 10-4PR

The sound of the engine at idle (1000 rpm) or low rpm wasn't something noticeable, but at high rpm was fantastic to hear. The transmission was almost perfect at fast changes.

In 1981, the Subaru Rex became front wheel drive, and the engine was enlarged to 665 cc in 1982.The end for the Rex came in 1992, when it was replaced by the Vivio.

Recently it has become somewhat of a cult car in Japan, being used in front wheel drive drift events.

"Rex" is also a common nickname for the high performance Subaru Impreza WRX, especially in Australia where the actual Rex was marketed as the Fiori. The Fiori derivative was also equipped with pink and blue pinstriping from factory and a 2 year, 50,000k warranty was offered when new. Equipped with a different engine, the Fiori had Subaru's 758 cc carburetted 4 cylinder EN08 powerplant.

External links

* [http://www.xs4all.nl/~mjs/subaruk.html History of Subaru Kei Jidosha]