Subaru Mini Jumbo

The Subaru Rex was first introduced in 1972 as a three-door microcar the K-Car class in Japan. The model name Rex means King in Latin. The car was equipped with a 360cc glass air-cooled rear engine and rear wheel drive. In the export model Subaru 400 was called with the model change in 1981 had the Rex from now on front engine and front wheel drive. This car was sold as Subaru 600/700 and Subaru Mini Jumbo in Europe and Australia as a Subaru Sherpa. On the ’81 model, introduced in 1984 based the Justy. In 1986 was another model change of Rex, the 1989 facelift followed. This model is also known as the Subaru Sherpa/Fiori and Subaru M70/M80. Successor to the Subaru Rex in 1992 the Vivio. In his Japanese homeland, where he was also available in the Turbo version of VX, the Rex has the status of a cult car today. A total of 1,902,811 Subaru Rex were produced.

The Rex K21 was introduced in July 1972 as a replacement for the Subaru R-2. He had as his predecessor rear engine and rear-wheel drive with four-speed manual transmission. However, the body had been significantly modernized so that there was now a Heckkofferaum available. The design of the new Rex was inspired by the Subaru Leone. The Rex came with the originally introduced in the R-2 water-cooled EK34-two-stroke engine with 356cc and three-door hatchback on the market. In the February 1973 was added to the program, a five-door hatchback model. During the EK34 engine with a single carburetor to 23 kW (30hp) came, a double carburetor mounted 27 kW (37hp).

In October 1973, the two-stroke engine was replaced by the water-cooled four-stroke engine EK21. In addition, a minor facelift took place at the front with a new chassis code: K22. Optional front disc brakes were now available. Rex K22 was exported as a Subaru 400

As of February 1974 there was a 3-door "Van" (K42) called van model with verblechten side window without rear seats, which made for considerable savings in taxes with a 20 kW (26hp) version of the EK21 engine. In addition, there were now optional 5-speed manual transmission. In April 1975, the van has received a higher roof and became a four-seater. This was necessary due to the Japanese commercial vehicle regulation. The engines were now with the SEEC-T Emission Control System equipped.

In response to new regulations for K-Cars Subaru presented in May 1976 in front of the Rex 5. This kept the former body (but extended to 10 cm and with an extended bonnet for a total length of 3,185 mm/125.4 in) and a 490-cc – engine. The Rex 5 (K23, K43 in the Van version) now had a standard 23 kW (31hp), the van version 21 kW (28hp). This version, called the Subaru 500 in exports was due to the greater Rex 550 replaced exactly one year after its introduction.

The Rex 550/Subaru 550 was introduced in May 1977 had equipped with SEEC-T water-cooled four-stroke 544cc EK23 series engine. Again mounted in the rear and coupled with a four-speed manual transmission remained the max. Power at 31 hp (23kW) at a somewhat lower speed relates to greater torque. The chassis code was K24 K44 at the Van. As usual, got the van a lower version of the engine with 21 kW (28hp). The Rex 550/Subaru 550 was called in most export markets Subaru 600

In March 1978, the Swingback version, a two-door sedan with a larger rear window was added. The large rear window had a slightly smaller opening to the engine compartment, but that was more than made up since access to the rear luggage compartment from the outside was now much more convenient. In March 1979, the Rex received a minor facelift with new rims and slightly modified bumpers and a small spoiler.

In response to the very low-Suzuki Alto from October 1979 there was a version of Van called "Family Rex", which for a very low price of ¥ 480,000 had (under $ 2,000 at the time). As of March 1980, there was an optional automatic transmission for the Rex K23/Subaru 550-600.

Rear view

Five-door

Subaru 600

In August 1981, the second generation Subaru Rex front-engine, front-wheel drive, independent suspension all round and has 4-speed manual transmission introduced. In the European markets, the car was sold as Subaru or Subaru 600 Mini Jumbo, in Australia as the Subaru Sherpa. The performance was first with the 544-cc engine and 21 kW (31hp) same as its predecessor. An optional 5-speed manual or a 3-speed automatic transmission was available. 1982 Rex Dino was introduced. For this, the Fuji Sankei Communications Group was founded, the first vehicle drove out the Rex Dino exclusive and industry via mail order.

In September 1982, a larger 665cc version of the two-cylinder engine, now with 27 kW (37hp) was installed. The maximum speed was now 125km/h instead of 110km/h As of October 1983, a four-wheel drive for the 3-door model was available as an option, a first in this class of vehicle. This was electrically activated by pressing a switch embedded in the shift lever. From December 1983, the 544-cc engine was in Japan for the 4WD version with Built turbocharger, and there were now internally ventilated front disc brakes as standard. In September 1984, were revised in the front, which was now with two rectangular headlights adjusted its sister model Justy, the all-wheel drive was now available for the five-door versions. In September 1985, the 5-speed manual transmission was standard series equipment. in September 1986 ended the production of the Rex 2/Sherpa.

Originally, the Rex 2 was offered as a Subaru 600 or Subaru Mini Jumbo from 1981 with the 544-cc engine. When in September 1982 held the 665-cc engine collection, was the 600 now for Subaru 700, accompanied by 9 cm larger vehicle length due to larger bumpers and 12-inch wheels (instead of the ten-inch units in Japan). A standard 5-speed manual gearbox and ventilated disc brakes were installed. The 544cc engine was again only with the introduction four-wheel drive turbocharged available from October 1983. Unlike in Japan the 5-door version was available with all-wheel drive. During the year 1984, the import of the Subaru Mini Jumbo 700/Subaru in favor of the extended and widened on the Rex2 Subaru Justy was adjusted.

The Chinese Yunque, a joint venture between Subaru and the Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corporation, the second generation Subaru Rex built under license as Yunque GHK between 1991 and 2005.

Rex 2 five-door

Rex 2 Facelift Version

Yunque GHK

The third generation Rex KG was presented in November 1986 with three or five doors. In the export of Rex KG was known in Europe as a mini jumbo M70, M70 Sherpa in Australia. In addition to a SOHC engine with 544cc and 22 kW (30hp) (not for export), there was now the 665cc version with 3 valves per cylinder (two intake and one exhaust) and 26 kW (36hp). There was no turbo engine more.

As of February 1987, a permanent all-wheel drive was available as an option, but only in conjunction with the more powerful three-valve engine. As of June 1987, there was an optional CVT transmission, which was called EVT. A supercharged version with charge air cooling, electronic fuel injection and compressor was offered as an option beginning in March 1988. The power of the engine thereby increased to 40 kW (55hp). As of May 1988 the optional now a large central electric Sunroof.

In June 1989, a facelift, the EK series engine was ³ 665 cm replaced by the EN05-motor, whereby the power to 28 kW (38hp) for the standard engine and 45 kw (61hp) increase in the compressor motor. In July, the export versions received the same changes and now became Subaru Mini Jumbo M80 in Europe and Subaru Fiori in Australia. In March 1990, there has been a renewed facelift now with a 660cc version of the EN-motor and a more rounded front due to new regulations for Kei cars. For export, there was also a 4 cylinder EN08 powerplant with carburetor and 758cc. This engine delivered 31 kW (42hp) at 6000 min-1, the vehicle, reaching a top speed of 130km/h

The end for the Rex came in March 1992 when he was replaced by the Subaru Vivio. In China, the KG/KH Rex as Jiangbei Meilu JJ 7090 has been produced and sold.

Rex KH 3-door

Rex KH 5 door

Discontinued/old models: 1500 | 1000 | 360 | FF-1 | R-2 | Leone | Rex | BRAT | Domingo | XT | L-Serie/Loyale | SVX | Vivio | Libero | Delivery Van | Baja | Traviq | R2 | R1 | Bighorn | Justy

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Subaru

Makes

Subaru Mini Jumbo