Subaru Rex
Encyclopedia
The Subaru Rex, also known as Ace, Viki, Sherpa, 500/600/700, Mini Jumbo or M60/M70/M80 in various export markets, is a kei class
automobile produced from 1972 to 1992 mainly for sale in Japan by Subaru
, although it was also sold in Europe, South America, and the Caribbean. The Rex superseded the R-2
as Subaru's kei car
, and has been available in commercial use versions as well as in a passenger car version. It underwent major changes in 1976, in fall 1981, and again in late 1986. The second generation Rex (1981–1986) also formed the basis for the larger Subaru Justy
.
The name "Rex" comes from the Latin word for "king". In some export markets, the Sambar
microvan
has been marketed as the "Rex Combi".
, which was itself the replacement for the long lived, but outdated Subaru 360
. Because the R-2 was based largely on the 360, originally including its air-cooled two-stroke engine, it lasted for not even three years. In contrast, the 360 was produced for 11 years and the rear-engined Rex was produced for nine.
The Subaru Rex represented a fresh start designwise, sharing little of its appearance with the Subaru 360, although they were mechanically the same and shared a rear-engine layout
. The Rex also retained the 360/R-2's rear swing axle
. The appearance of the new Rex was similar to the new larger platform, the Subaru Leone
. The Rex originally featured the same water-cooled 356 cc EK34 two-stroke engine as used in the R-2, and was available only as a two-door sedan. In February 1973 a four-door sedan was added, and a three-door "Van" was added in February 1974. The Van was registerable as a commercial vehicle, allowing for considerable savings in taxes and fees. The EK34 engine came with a 32 PS single carburetor on the Custom L, Super L, and other trim levels down to Standard, or a 37 PS double carburetor for the sporty GSR. The TS (Touring Sport) received a 35 PS iteration. The GSR was also somewhat lower than its counterparts, due to radial tires being fitted.
In October 1973 the two-stroke was replaced by a 358 cc rear-mounted, watercooled, two-cylinder, four-stroke
engine called the EK21. This produced 31 PS at a peaky 8,000 rpm and 3 kgm of torque at 6,500 rpm, and featured Subaru Exhaust Emissions Control (SEEC). The car also received a minor facelift (with a "frowny" rather than the smiling grille seen on the turqoise four-door in the infobox being the most obvious difference) and a new chassis code: K22. Front disc brakes were also introduced as an option at the same time. The four-stroke Rex could reach a top speed of 110 km/h (68 mph). The three-door, two-seater "Van" (K42) arrived in February of the next year, when a five-speed version (Custom5) was also added. In September, along with a minor facelift consisting of a new grille and bumpers adjusted to allow for the fitment of larger license plates, a "Wagon" version (K26) appeared. This received four permanent seats, but was no longer registerable as a commercial vehicle and had a considerably lower max load. At the same time, a "Super L" version of the Van was added. Vans and Wagons received a lower tuned engine, with 28 PS at 7,500 rpm; but torque increased somewhat to 3.1 kgm at 5,700 rpm. This became the power output of the standard Rex as well for model year 1976 after the SEEC-T (Subaru Exhaust Emission Control - Thermal and Thermodynamic) emissions control system was introduced in December 1975. Torque was down to 2.9 kgm at 6,000 rpm. The equipment levels were also reshuffled, with the B-type replacing the Standard and then rising from the A via the AG and A to the AG on top. The A and AG versions received disc brakes in front, but the five-speed was no longer available.
In April 1975, the Van received a higher roof and became a four-seater. This was necessitated by Japanese commercial vehicle regulation which require the floor to be completely flat when the rear seat is folded. Because the Rex's engine was mounted in the rear, the cargo floor was rather high, meaning that more head room would be required before a seat could be installed. The Wagon continued in production until the SEEC-T version was introduced in December, but it lost most of its market with the availability of a four-seater Van.
In response to new regulations for Kei car
s introduced for 1976, Subaru introduced the larger engined Rex 5 in May of that year. It retained the earlier bodywork (albeit broadened by 10 cm and with a lengthened bonnet for an overall length of 3185 mm (125.4 in)) but got a 490 cc version of the same engine. The Rex 5 (K23, K43 in the Van version) engine was still of two cylinders and an overhead cam design, and retained the SEEC-T emissions control system. Power increased from the emissions choked late 360s to 31 PS at 6,500 rpm, while torque increased to 3.8 kgm at 4,500 rpm. The AG version was dropped. The Van version received a 28 PS engine (at 6,000 rpm) with the same torque, albeit at 500 rpm lower. Van equipment levels were Standard and Super Deluxe. This version (called the Subaru 500 in the export) was short-lived, replaced by the bigger Rex 550 exactly one year after being introduced.
The Rex 550, introduced in May 1977, featured the SEEC-T equipped watercooled, two-cylinder, four-stroke
544 cc EK23 series engine. Chassis code was K24, It remained rear-mounted, coupled to a four speed manual gearbox. Max power remained 31 PS at a slightly lower 6,200 rpm and torque was 4.2 kgm at 3,500 rpm. A comparatively well-equipped Custom L version of the Van (K44) was added. As usual, the Vans received a lower powered version of the engine, with 28 PS at 6,000 rpm but the same exact torque figures. The Rex 550 was called the Subaru 600 in most export markets.
In March 1978 the Swingback version was added, a two-door sedan which received a larger, opening rear window. The large rear window necessitated a slightly smaller opening to the engine compartment, but this was more than made up for by allowing for access to the rear luggage compartment from the outside. In March 1979, the Rex underwent a very minor facelift, the most visible results being new rims and slightly differing bumpers and a small spoiler in front. Then, in response to the very low priced Suzuki Alto, a decontented version of the Van called "Family Rex" was added in October 1979. It was priced at a very low ¥480,000 (under US$2,000 at the time). An automatic clutch version was added in March 1980.
In the European markets, this car was originally marketed as the Subaru 600 or Mini Jumbo. In September 1982 it became the Subaru 700, as it received a larger 665 cc version of the two-cylinder, producing 37 PS (a 35 PS version using lower octane gas was also available). The engine used a single-barrel carburettor. Top speed was 125 km/h (78 mph), compared to 110 km/h (68 mph) for the 31 PS domestic version. These cars were 9 cm longer than their domestic counterparts, due to bigger bumpers, and received 12-inch wheels (rather than the ten-inch units used in Japan). Production ended in September 1986, as Subaru was getting ready to introduce the modernized third generation Rex.
The second generation Rex was also lengthened and widened to become the original Subaru Justy
, with a larger 1-litre engine. The Justy remained in production until 1994, outliving the next generation Rex and the Rex label itself.
A supercharged
version with an intercooler and electronic fuel injection
was added to the options list March 1988 as a response to the success of the Alto Works and Mira TR-XX
. The output of the engine increased to 55 PS. A supercharger meant less lag than for a turbo, although specific output tended to be somewhat lower than the competition. This was available for both the 3- and 5-door versions. May 1988 saw an electrically deployed canvas top added to the 3-door.
June 1989 saw a facelift and the replacement of the EK series engine to the four-cylinder EN05 "Clover 4" with 38 PS available to the standard engine and 61 PS from the supercharged engine. This was the first Kei four cylinder since the Mazda Carol
, and was unique to the class. This, the KH1/2 series Rex (KP1/2 for the commercial Rex Combis), remained available in combination with the ECVT transmission and four-wheel drive versions, but the two-speed automatic was dropped. In July, export versions (M70 in Europe, Sherpa in Australia) received the same changes and switched from the 665 cc 37 PS two-cylinder to become the M80 in Europe and the Fiori in Australia. This was very short-lived, as in March 1990 another facelift followed, with a 660 cc version of the EN engine and an extended, more rounded nose because of new Kei regulations taking effect. These external differences did not appear in the Australian market until August, and in Europe (Mini Jumbo, M80) by early 1991. This, the last Rex, received chassis codes KH3 (FF sedan), KH4 (4WD sedan), KP3 (FF commercial), and KP4 (4WD commercial).
Rex is also a common nickname for the high performance Subaru Impreza WRX
, especially in Australia where the actual Rex was marketed as the Sherpa and then Fiori. The Fiori derivative (from summer 1989) 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. This engine, producing 42 PS at 6,000 rpm, was also used in those European markets that received the Rex. In Europe it was rebadged M80 to reflect the engine displacement. The M80 was available as a three or a five-door, in DL and SDX versions, with the SDX receiving a standard five-speed manual. Top speed was 125 km/h for four-speeds, 130 km/h for five-speeds.
The end for the Rex came in March 1992, when it was replaced by the Vivio
. A total of 1,902,811 Subaru Rexes were built in its lifetime. Recently the Rex has become somewhat of a cult car in Japan, being used in front wheel drive drift events.
Kei car
Kei cars, K-cars, or , are a Japanese category of small vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, and pickup trucks. They are designed to comply with Japanese government tax and insurance regulations, and in most rural areas are exempted from the requirement to certify that adequate parking is...
automobile produced from 1972 to 1992 mainly for sale in Japan by Subaru
Subaru
; is the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries .Subaru is internationally known for their use of the boxer engine layout popularized in cars by the Volkswagen Beetle and Porsche 911, in most of their vehicles above 1500 cc as well as...
, although it was also sold in Europe, South America, and the Caribbean. The Rex superseded the R-2
Subaru R-2
The Subaru R-2 was a kei car manufactured by Subaru from 1969 to 1972. The R-2 was a full model change of the popular Subaru 360, but with an updated appearance and increased interior space...
as Subaru's kei car
Kei car
Kei cars, K-cars, or , are a Japanese category of small vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, and pickup trucks. They are designed to comply with Japanese government tax and insurance regulations, and in most rural areas are exempted from the requirement to certify that adequate parking is...
, and has been available in commercial use versions as well as in a passenger car version. It underwent major changes in 1976, in fall 1981, and again in late 1986. The second generation Rex (1981–1986) also formed the basis for the larger Subaru Justy
Subaru Justy
The Subaru Justy is a subcompact hatchback that has been sold by Japanese automobile manufacturer Subaru since 1984. From 1984–1994 Subaru manufactured the Justy itself; since then it has sold a rebadged version of other vehicles under the Justy nameplate...
.
The name "Rex" comes from the Latin word for "king". In some export markets, the Sambar
Subaru Sambar
The Subaru Sambar is an automobile built by automaker Subaru for the Japanese market. It is Japan's first Keitora , shorthand for "kei class truck" and is still in production. The Sambar is available in both microvan and Kei truck to fulfill the Kei car guidelines...
microvan
Microvan
A microvan is a van that fits into Japanese kei car classification or similar. In certain regions, these models are inexpensive and widely used for small business because of tax and insurance benefits; for example, in Japan they are exempted from a certification that there is adequate parking...
has been marketed as the "Rex Combi".
First generation
The Rex (K21), introduced 15 July 1972, was the replacement for the Subaru R-2Subaru R-2
The Subaru R-2 was a kei car manufactured by Subaru from 1969 to 1972. The R-2 was a full model change of the popular Subaru 360, but with an updated appearance and increased interior space...
, which was itself the replacement for the long lived, but outdated Subaru 360
Subaru 360
The Subaru 360 was the first automobile mass-produced by Fuji Heavy Industries' Subaru division. A number of innovative features were used to design a very small and inexpensive car to address government plans to produce a small "people's car" with an engine no larger than 360 cc when most in...
. Because the R-2 was based largely on the 360, originally including its air-cooled two-stroke engine, it lasted for not even three years. In contrast, the 360 was produced for 11 years and the rear-engined Rex was produced for nine.
The Subaru Rex represented a fresh start designwise, sharing little of its appearance with the Subaru 360, although they were mechanically the same and shared a rear-engine layout
RR layout
In automotive design, a RR, or Rear-engine, Rear-wheel drive layout places both the engine and drive wheels at the rear of the vehicle. In contrast to the RMR layout, the center of mass of the engine is between the rear axle and the rear bumper....
. The Rex also retained the 360/R-2's rear swing axle
Swing axle
A swing axle is a simple type of independent suspension first used in early aircraft , such as the Sopwith and Fokker, usually with rubber bungee and no damping....
. The appearance of the new Rex was similar to the new larger platform, the Subaru Leone
Subaru Leone
The Subaru Leone was a compact car produced by the Japanese car manufacturer Fuji Heavy Industries from 1971 to 1994. The word "leone" is Italian for lion....
. The Rex originally featured the same water-cooled 356 cc EK34 two-stroke engine as used in the R-2, and was available only as a two-door sedan. In February 1973 a four-door sedan was added, and a three-door "Van" was added in February 1974. The Van was registerable as a commercial vehicle, allowing for considerable savings in taxes and fees. The EK34 engine came with a 32 PS single carburetor on the Custom L, Super L, and other trim levels down to Standard, or a 37 PS double carburetor for the sporty GSR. The TS (Touring Sport) received a 35 PS iteration. The GSR was also somewhat lower than its counterparts, due to radial tires being fitted.
In October 1973 the two-stroke was replaced by a 358 cc rear-mounted, watercooled, two-cylinder, four-stroke
Four-stroke cycle
A four-stroke engine, also known as four-cycle, is an internal combustion engine in which the piston completes four separate strokes—intake, compression, power, and exhaust—during two separate revolutions of the engine's crankshaft, and one single thermodynamic cycle.There are two...
engine called the EK21. This produced 31 PS at a peaky 8,000 rpm and 3 kgm of torque at 6,500 rpm, and featured Subaru Exhaust Emissions Control (SEEC). The car also received a minor facelift (with a "frowny" rather than the smiling grille seen on the turqoise four-door in the infobox being the most obvious difference) and a new chassis code: K22. Front disc brakes were also introduced as an option at the same time. The four-stroke Rex could reach a top speed of 110 km/h (68 mph). The three-door, two-seater "Van" (K42) arrived in February of the next year, when a five-speed version (Custom5) was also added. In September, along with a minor facelift consisting of a new grille and bumpers adjusted to allow for the fitment of larger license plates, a "Wagon" version (K26) appeared. This received four permanent seats, but was no longer registerable as a commercial vehicle and had a considerably lower max load. At the same time, a "Super L" version of the Van was added. Vans and Wagons received a lower tuned engine, with 28 PS at 7,500 rpm; but torque increased somewhat to 3.1 kgm at 5,700 rpm. This became the power output of the standard Rex as well for model year 1976 after the SEEC-T (Subaru Exhaust Emission Control - Thermal and Thermodynamic) emissions control system was introduced in December 1975. Torque was down to 2.9 kgm at 6,000 rpm. The equipment levels were also reshuffled, with the B-type replacing the Standard and then rising from the A via the AG and A to the AG on top. The A and AG versions received disc brakes in front, but the five-speed was no longer available.
In April 1975, the Van received a higher roof and became a four-seater. This was necessitated by Japanese commercial vehicle regulation which require the floor to be completely flat when the rear seat is folded. Because the Rex's engine was mounted in the rear, the cargo floor was rather high, meaning that more head room would be required before a seat could be installed. The Wagon continued in production until the SEEC-T version was introduced in December, but it lost most of its market with the availability of a four-seater Van.
550 cc era
Kei car
Kei cars, K-cars, or , are a Japanese category of small vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, and pickup trucks. They are designed to comply with Japanese government tax and insurance regulations, and in most rural areas are exempted from the requirement to certify that adequate parking is...
s introduced for 1976, Subaru introduced the larger engined Rex 5 in May of that year. It retained the earlier bodywork (albeit broadened by 10 cm and with a lengthened bonnet for an overall length of 3185 mm (125.4 in)) but got a 490 cc version of the same engine. The Rex 5 (K23, K43 in the Van version) engine was still of two cylinders and an overhead cam design, and retained the SEEC-T emissions control system. Power increased from the emissions choked late 360s to 31 PS at 6,500 rpm, while torque increased to 3.8 kgm at 4,500 rpm. The AG version was dropped. The Van version received a 28 PS engine (at 6,000 rpm) with the same torque, albeit at 500 rpm lower. Van equipment levels were Standard and Super Deluxe. This version (called the Subaru 500 in the export) was short-lived, replaced by the bigger Rex 550 exactly one year after being introduced.
The Rex 550, introduced in May 1977, featured the SEEC-T equipped watercooled, two-cylinder, four-stroke
Four-stroke cycle
A four-stroke engine, also known as four-cycle, is an internal combustion engine in which the piston completes four separate strokes—intake, compression, power, and exhaust—during two separate revolutions of the engine's crankshaft, and one single thermodynamic cycle.There are two...
544 cc EK23 series engine. Chassis code was K24, It remained rear-mounted, coupled to a four speed manual gearbox. Max power remained 31 PS at a slightly lower 6,200 rpm and torque was 4.2 kgm at 3,500 rpm. A comparatively well-equipped Custom L version of the Van (K44) was added. As usual, the Vans received a lower powered version of the engine, with 28 PS at 6,000 rpm but the same exact torque figures. The Rex 550 was called the Subaru 600 in most export markets.
In March 1978 the Swingback version was added, a two-door sedan which received a larger, opening rear window. The large rear window necessitated a slightly smaller opening to the engine compartment, but this was more than made up for by allowing for access to the rear luggage compartment from the outside. In March 1979, the Rex underwent a very minor facelift, the most visible results being new rims and slightly differing bumpers and a small spoiler in front. Then, in response to the very low priced Suzuki Alto, a decontented version of the Van called "Family Rex" was added in October 1979. It was priced at a very low ¥480,000 (under US$2,000 at the time). An automatic clutch version was added in March 1980.
Second generation
In August 1981, the second generation Subaru Rex became front wheel drive, with all new bodywork and independent suspension all around. Power remained at 31 PS, with a twin-barrel carburettor. Three and five-door hatchback versions were available. Optional on-demand 4WD became available after October 1983, a first in the class. The 4WD system was electrically engaged by depressing an embedded switch on top of the gear shift. A turbo was introduced on the 4WD Rex in December 1983. The Rex Dinos, a trim level introduced in 1982, was only available by mail order catalog.In the European markets, this car was originally marketed as the Subaru 600 or Mini Jumbo. In September 1982 it became the Subaru 700, as it received a larger 665 cc version of the two-cylinder, producing 37 PS (a 35 PS version using lower octane gas was also available). The engine used a single-barrel carburettor. Top speed was 125 km/h (78 mph), compared to 110 km/h (68 mph) for the 31 PS domestic version. These cars were 9 cm longer than their domestic counterparts, due to bigger bumpers, and received 12-inch wheels (rather than the ten-inch units used in Japan). Production ended in September 1986, as Subaru was getting ready to introduce the modernized third generation Rex.
The second generation Rex was also lengthened and widened to become the original Subaru Justy
Subaru Justy
The Subaru Justy is a subcompact hatchback that has been sold by Japanese automobile manufacturer Subaru since 1984. From 1984–1994 Subaru manufactured the Justy itself; since then it has sold a rebadged version of other vehicles under the Justy nameplate...
, with a larger 1-litre engine. The Justy remained in production until 1994, outliving the next generation Rex and the Rex label itself.
Third generation
The third generation (KG/KN) was presented in November 1986 with the commercial spec Rex Combi with either three or five doors. The sedan version, intended for private use, was added a month later. In addition to an SOHC two-valve engine with 30 PS, a version with 3 valves per cylinder (two intake and one exhaust) and 36 PS was also available. There was no turbo version of the new Rex. A two-speed automatic transmission was also available, as was a part time 4WD system. "Twin Viscuous" full time 4WD with a limited slip differential for the rear axle was made available in February 1987. From this point all four-wheel drives received the more powerful three-valve engine. A CVT transmission was added June 1987, called ECVT.A supercharged
Supercharger
A supercharger is an air compressor used for forced induction of an internal combustion engine.The greater mass flow-rate provides more oxygen to support combustion than would be available in a naturally aspirated engine, which allows more fuel to be burned and more work to be done per cycle,...
version with an intercooler and electronic fuel injection
Fuel injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
was added to the options list March 1988 as a response to the success of the Alto Works and Mira TR-XX
Daihatsu Mira
The Daihatsu Mira , is a kei car-type vehicle built by the Japanese car maker Daihatsu. It comes with a variety of options and chassis variations, with the latest variant having four models: "Mira", "Mira AVY", "Mira Gino" and "Mira VAN"...
. The output of the engine increased to 55 PS. A supercharger meant less lag than for a turbo, although specific output tended to be somewhat lower than the competition. This was available for both the 3- and 5-door versions. May 1988 saw an electrically deployed canvas top added to the 3-door.
June 1989 saw a facelift and the replacement of the EK series engine to the four-cylinder EN05 "Clover 4" with 38 PS available to the standard engine and 61 PS from the supercharged engine. This was the first Kei four cylinder since the Mazda Carol
Mazda Carol
The Mazda Carol is a name used by Mazda for its kei cars from 1962 until 1970. It was revived again with Mazda's 1989 reentry into the Kei car class.-Carol :...
, and was unique to the class. This, the KH1/2 series Rex (KP1/2 for the commercial Rex Combis), remained available in combination with the ECVT transmission and four-wheel drive versions, but the two-speed automatic was dropped. In July, export versions (M70 in Europe, Sherpa in Australia) received the same changes and switched from the 665 cc 37 PS two-cylinder to become the M80 in Europe and the Fiori in Australia. This was very short-lived, as in March 1990 another facelift followed, with a 660 cc version of the EN engine and an extended, more rounded nose because of new Kei regulations taking effect. These external differences did not appear in the Australian market until August, and in Europe (Mini Jumbo, M80) by early 1991. This, the last Rex, received chassis codes KH3 (FF sedan), KH4 (4WD sedan), KP3 (FF commercial), and KP4 (4WD commercial).
Rex is also a common nickname for the high performance Subaru Impreza WRX
Subaru Impreza WRX
The Subaru Impreza WRX is a turbocharged version of the Subaru Impreza, an all-wheel drive, four-door passenger vehicle. It is available as a sedan or wagon....
, especially in Australia where the actual Rex was marketed as the Sherpa and then Fiori. The Fiori derivative (from summer 1989) 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. This engine, producing 42 PS at 6,000 rpm, was also used in those European markets that received the Rex. In Europe it was rebadged M80 to reflect the engine displacement. The M80 was available as a three or a five-door, in DL and SDX versions, with the SDX receiving a standard five-speed manual. Top speed was 125 km/h for four-speeds, 130 km/h for five-speeds.
The end for the Rex came in March 1992, when it was replaced by the Vivio
Subaru Vivio
The Subaru Vivio is a kei car that was introduced in March 1992, and manufactured by Subaru until October 1998. It has a 658 cc multi-point fuel-injected four-cylinder engine , which is small enough to place it in the light car class, giving its owners large tax breaks in Japan...
. A total of 1,902,811 Subaru Rexes were built in its lifetime. Recently the Rex has become somewhat of a cult car in Japan, being used in front wheel drive drift events.