 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Subaru Sumo" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(November 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| Subaru Sumo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Subaru |
| Also called |
|
| Production | 1983–1998 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Microvan |
| Body style | 5-doorvan |
| Layout | Rear-engine,rear-wheel drive /four-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.0 LEF10I3 1.2 LEF12 I3 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual ECVT automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 3,425 mm (134.8 in) (1983–1993)[1] 3,525 mm (138.8 in) (1993–1998)[2] |
| Width | 1,430 mm (56.3 in) (1983–1993) 1,415 mm (55.7 in) (1993–1998) |
| Height | 1,925 mm (75.8 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,040 kg (2,293 lb) |
TheSubaru Sumo, known asDomingo in theJapanese market and theLibero inEuropean markets except for theUK,Iceland, theBenelux andSweden, is acabovermicrovan produced from 1983 to 1998. InBelgium, it was known as theCombi. InSweden, it was known as theColumbuss (buss meaning "bus" in Swedish), and inTaiwan the latter generation was marketed as theEstratto. It was also called theSubaru E10 andSubaru E12 respectively in some places, the names referring to the size of the engines.
Subaru's German importer chose the name Libero after a public naming competition in 1984.[3] The name Sumo, used in most English-speaking markets, was meant to evoke the car's Japanese origin and the strength of asumo wrestler.[4]
The Sumo shared many characteristics with theSambar, except it had extended front and rear bumpers and a larger engine borrowed from theSubaru Justy. Because of these modifications, it didn't conform tokei car regulations, which stipulate the maximum dimensions of the vehicle and the maximumengine displacement requirements, which then determine the vehicle tax to be paid.
The Sambar from which the Domingo was derived was developed around a two-cylinder engine; the longer three-cylinder unit requires additional space and actually projects into the rear bumper, which has to be removed for even basic servicing. This also leaves the engine quite exposed if the car becomes rear ended.[3]
It was launched with the option offour-wheel drive and powered by 997 cc, later 1,189 ccthree-cylinderEF engines based on those used in theSubaru Justy although in the van they were rear mounted. Somewhat unusual for a microvan, the 1,200 cc Sumo could be ordered with selectable4WD, operated via a gear stick mounted button. In normal driving conditions, only the rear wheels were driven, as there was no central differential to allow highway driving in 4WD mode.[3] In European trim, the carburetted 1.2-liter engine produces 52 PS (38 kW; 51 hp) at 4,400 rpm. The original Libero/Sumo remained available well after the release of the next generation Sambar.
In 1993, the second generation appeared, with all new sheetmetal as per the related Sambar range. Thanks to fuel injection, acatalytic converter was added to the 1.2-liter engine (the only option) while power inched up to 54 PS (40 kW; 53 hp). In Japanese specifications, claimed power was 61 PSJIS (45 kW; 60 hp) at 5,600 rpm[2] In 1994, Subaru's Full Time 4WD (S-AWD) withviscous coupling was added to the options list, only available together with the ECVT transmission. An oil cooler was installed on European versions to better facilitate light duty towing.
The Sumo was discontinued when the sixth generation Sambar was introduced, and the market that the Sumo was targeted at was refocused towards theSubaru Forester, which, in comparison to the Sumo, had standard permanent 4WD, a more potent 2.5 Lboxer engine and increased cargo capacity. In Japan, the Domingo's market segment is now served by theSubaru Exiga, which is capable of carrying up to seven passengers.
Media related toSubaru Domingo at Wikimedia Commons