| Subaru XT | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Subaru (Fuji Heavy Industries) |
| Also called |
|
| Production | 1985–1991 |
| Assembly | Yajima Plant,Ota, Gunma, Japan |
| Designer | Tetsuya Hayashi, Kiyoshi Sugimoto, Hiroshi Yako (interior) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-doorcoupé |
| Layout | |
| Related | Subaru Leone |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,464 mm (97 in) |
| Length | 4,511 mm (177.6 in) |
| Width | 1,689 mm (66.5 in) |
| Height | 1,336 mm (52.6 in) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Subaru Alcyone SVX |
TheSubaru XT is a two-door, front- or all-wheel drive, four passenger2+2 coupé[1] manufactured and marketed bySubaru for model years 1985-1991, with a facelift in 1987. At introduction, the XT was the most aerodynamic car marketed in the US market,[1] heavily influenced by noted designerAlex Tremulis.[1]
Marketed as theAlcyone in Japan; as theVortex in Australia and New Zealand; and as theXT (with theEA-82 four-cylinder engine) orXT6 (with theER-27 six-cylinder engine) in North America and Europe, all XT's were assembled at Subaru'sYajima Plant inOta, Japan. Over its single generation, production reached just over 98,000.[2]
The XT was conceived in the United States for the US market, and debuted globally in the US.[1] After sales began in February 1985 in the US, the XT Turbo 4WD's debuted in Europe at the March 1985Geneva Motor Show,[3] followed by its Japanese debut in June 1985.[4]
The XT was noted for its pronounced wedge shape, lowcoefficient of drag; aviation influences from the aircraft division of parent company Fuji Heavy Industry; and its host of features, either innovative or uncommon in the XT's class — including height-adjustable pneumatic suspension, digital dash, central locking system,op-art upholstery, fold down rear seat, pod- and center console-mounted HVAC controls, advanced trip computer, and instrument cluster that tilted with adjustment of the steering column. With availablefront-wheel drive orfour-wheel drive, depending on the model year, the XT offered three trim levels, DL, GL (non-turbo, front-drive only), and GL-10 Turbo.[1]
TheAlcyone nameplate derives fromAlcyone, the brightest star in thePleiades star cluster, stylized in the Subaru logo. The model was superseded by theSubaru Alcyone SVX in 1992.
The XT featured a pronounced wedge shape, sharing a common "folded paper" design approach with the Type AASubaru Leone. When introduced, theNew York Times called it "the ultimate in jazzy design",[5] in contrast to Subaru's other offerings. Though derived from earlier Subarus, it was less overtly practical or commodious. The 2.7-litre flat-six engine exceeded 2000 cc in the Japanese Domestic Market, thereby exceedinggovernment engine displacement regulations, and incurring higher annualroad tax.
Subaru's trademarkboxer engine with its flat, horizontally-opposed cylinder configuration, enabled the bodywork's pronounced wedge shape, and extensive wind tunnel testing further lowered the XT'scoefficient of drag. Pop-up headlights contributed to the wedge shape, and rectractable button-like flaps allowed opening the door while keeping the handles flush with their adjacent bodywork. The XT used a single 22 inch windshield wiper which tucked under the hood when not in use, and rubber spoilers ahead of each wheel opening settled the airflow past the tires and wheels, while doubling as "mud guards." The result was one of the most aerodynamic production cars of its time with a coefficient of drag of 0.29,[4] improvedfuel economy, and a quieter ride due to reducedwind noise.
The XT's interior used numerous aviation-like features, reflecting influences from the aircraft division of Subaru's parent company,Fuji Heavy Industries. The instruments featured pod-mounted controls for lighting, HVAC and wipers. The instrument panel moved with the standard tilt-telescope steering to keep the instruments oriented to the driver, recalling the same feature on theIsuzu Piazza and theFord Probe introduced earlier in the 1980s and thePorsche 928 in the late 1970s. The joystick-shaped shifter integrated a thumb trigger interlock for the "on-demand" four-wheel drive. Turbo models featured a quasi-artificial horizon orange backlitliquid crystal instrument display with thetachometer, boost indicator, temperature and fuel gauges seen as three-dimensional graphs oriented to the quasi-horizon.
The XT featured aturbocharger, computer-controlledengine and transmission,adjustable height suspension[4] and an optional digital instrument cluster. Thepneumatic with height control recalled the use ofHydropneumatic suspension byCitroën, andMercedes-Benz. Other uncommon features included an electronic in-dashtrip computer, headlight washers (XT6 only), alloy wheels featuring an inset rectangular shape, pass-through folding rear seats, racing style front seats and available push-buttonfour-wheel drive (later changed toall-wheel drive).
The XT featured a speed alarm at 55mph, that could be activated with a separate key.[1]
The XT was launched initially as theXT in North America,Alcyone in Japan andVortex in Australia and New Zealand. The pre-facelift XT was only powered by an H4 and was produced from 1985 to 1987.
The 1985 XT was fitted with one of two engines:
These engines shared the following equipment and specifications:
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The XT was available with bothmanual andautomatic transmissions. 85-87 XT Turbos were available as eitherfront-wheel drive or part-timefour-wheel drive, while the 85-87 XT non turbo cars were only available as front-wheel-drive. The part-time four-wheel-drive system, titled "On-Demand", was selectable by apush button atop the shifter.
Like other Subaru models of the same vintage, the North American market XT was sold in four models: the base-modelXTDL, the better-equippedXTGL, the top-of-the-range FWDXTGL-10 Turbo and 4WDXT GL-10 Turbo-Traction. Many of the options mentioned above were available only on the GL-10 models.
In Japan it was only available as 2 turbocharged models: theAlcyone 4WD VR Turbo, and theAlcyone FF VS Turbo.
Australia and New Zealand also got 2 models, the turbochargedVortex Turbo and the non-turbochargedVortex XT. Initially the Vortex was only available as the non-turbocharged manual Vortex XT, but the turbo version and automatic gearbox came the following year.
European markets generally only received theXT Turbo and theXT Turbo 4WD (XT Turbo Allrad inGermany), where the car was sold in small numbers as ahalo model.
| Model Name | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XT Coupe DL | EA-82 1781 cc H4 | 5-sp. M/T | FWD | USDM |
| XT Coupe GL | EA-82 1781 cc H4 | 5-sp. M/T 3-sp. A/T | FWD | |
| XT Coupe GL-10 Turbo | EA-82T 1781 cc turbocharged H4 | 5-sp. M/T 3-sp. A/T | FWD | |
| XT Coupe GL-10 Turbo-Traction | EA-82T 1781 cc turbocharged H4 | 5-sp. M/T 3-sp. A/T | "On-Demand" 4WD | |
| Alcyone FF VS Turbo | EA-82T 1781 cc turbocharged H4 | 5-sp. M/T 3-sp. A/T | FWD | JDM |
| Alcyone 4WD VR Turbo | EA-82T 1781 cc turbocharged H4 | 5-sp. M/T 3-sp. A/T | "On-Demand" 4WD | |
| XT Turbo | EA-82T 1781 cc turbocharged H4 | 5-sp. M/T | FWD | EUDM |
| XT 4WD Turbo | EA-82T 1781 cc turbocharged H4 | 5-sp. M/T 3-sp. A/T | "On-Demand" 4WD | |
| Vortex XT | EA-82 1781 cc H4 | 5-sp. M/T | FWD | ANZDM |
| Vortex XT 4WD Turbo | EA-82T 1781 cc turbocharged H4 | 5-sp. M/T 3-sp. A/T | "On-Demand" 4WD |
The XT received a minor update in 1987 for the second half of the 1987 model year roughly corresponding to the 1988 launch of the XT6, a new 6 cylinder model. Where earlier models featured bumper-mounted reverse lights, 19871⁄2-up models had the reverse lights in the center taillight panel. The front and rear bumpers were also redesigned. In Japan, the original bumpers were used for the VS and VR while the VX received the new facelift. In the US, all new models received the facelifted bumpers.
All wheel drive turbo and six-cylinder models were distinguished by their headrests; base models had solid headrests, where the turbo AWD and six-cylinder models had a large rectangular hole through the center.
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The 1987 XT was fitted with one of 3 engines
6 cylinder models were fitted with stiffer suspension to compensate for the new heavier engine.
In North America the updated XT was sold in 2 models: The base 4 cylinder modelGL, and the new 6 cylinder modelXT6. The turbo models were dropped from the North American market after the update.[7]
In Japan, the updated XT was sold in 3 models: The turbocharged FWDVS, the turbocharged 4WDVR, and the new 6 cylinder 4WDAlcyone VX.
In New Zealand, the new 6 cylinder model was marketed as theVortex ZZ6. However, virtually none were sold due to New Zealand's fuel options were 91 octane unleaded fuel or 96 octane leaded fuel while the ER27 required 96 octane unleaded petrol. There are only two NZ new 6 cylinder Vortex's left registered today according toNZTA fleet data.
In Japan, the part-time 4WD system was replaced entirely by the new full-time 4WD system. In the US, the XT6 was available in either FWD or with the new full-time 4WD system while the XT GL was available with either FWD or the old "On-Demand" 4WD.
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The XT6 was fitted with a unique Cybrid adaptive electrohydraulic steering system that changed the level of assistance based on the vehicle's speed. This system did not use a conventional belt-driven power steering pump, freeing up much-needed space in the XT6's already cramped engine bay. The Cybrid system also uses hydraulic fluid that is incompatible with conventional power steering fluid (which is usuallyautomatic transmission fluid). This fluid is still available directly from Subaru at a significant premium over more common types ofhydraulic fluid.
The XT6 has two electric fans to also help performance, compared to one electric fan and one belt driven fan on all other XTs. With these changes, the XT6 was given a higher ampalternator.
The XT6 was not available with the digital instrument cluster of the turbo XT models.
A special "30th Anniversary" version of the Alcyone VX was produced in 1988, limited to 30 units. This version had a white and gold paint job with "30th Anniversary" side decals and a red interior.
2 prototype versions of the Alcyone VX were made in Japan for the 27thTokyo Motor Show. The "Junko Shimada" was one that included a full black paintjob with black smooth wheel caps and a bright red leather interior, designed by Japanese fashion designer,Junko Shimada. The other was the "FICCE Special" which was a convertible version of the Alcyone with special hubcaps and interior graphics designed byYoshiyuki Konishi. The FICCE is allegedly sitting in theIbaraki Prefecture in need of restoration.[8]
| Model Name | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XT GL | EA-82 1781 cc H4 | 5-sp. M/T 4-sp. A/T | FWD Part-time 4WD Full-time 4WD | USDM |
| XT6 | ER-27 2672 cc H6 | 5-sp. M/T 4-sp. A/T | FWD Full-time 4WD | USDM |
| Alcyone VS | EA-82T 1781 cc turbocharged H4 | 5-sp. M/T 4-sp. A/T | FWD | JDM |
| Alcyone VR | EA-82T 1781 cc turbocharged H4 | 5-sp. M/T 4-sp. A/T | Full-time 4WD | JDM |
| Alcyone VX | ER-27 2672 cc H6 | 4-sp. A/T | Full-time 4WD | JDM |
| XT Turbo | EA-82T 1781 cc turbocharged H4 | 5-sp. M/T 4-sp. A/T | Full-time 4WD | EUDM |
| Vortex XT | EA-82 1781 cc H4 | 5-sp. M/T 4-sp. A/T | FWD | ANZDM |
| Vortex ZZ6 | ER-27 2672 cc H6 | 4-sp. A/T | Full-time 4WD | ANZDM |
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Overall production of the XT remained low throughout its lifespan. Although the fuel crisis of the late 1970s and ever-tightening emissions regulations had severely limited power figures from all manufacturers in the mid 1980s, the XT's paltry 134 hp (100 kW) wasn't enough to attract serious attention from the automotive racing crowd.[9] One of Subaru's ads from the 1980s read,The kind of car Mercedes might have built if they were a little more frugal and a lot more inventive. The car's extra features, which certainly had some novelty appeal, were uncharacteristic of this class of car and may not have contributed much to the XT's sales. In the 1980s, consumers with surplus cash in search of a better-equipped vehicle did not generally start shopping at Subaru.
Subaru produced 98,918 XTs, XT6s, and Alcyone's.[10] Surprisingly, only 8,170 of these were sold in the Japanese market.
While the XT was an interesting design exercise, it did little to grow Subaru's sales. The company has seen much more widespread success in the significantly more mainstreamLegacy,Legacy Outback and Impreza WRX models introduced in recent years.
The Subaru XT Turbo was the official car for theMost Valuable Player forSuper Bowl XXII presented bySPORT magazine in 1988, eventually won byWashington Redskins quarterbackDoug Williams, and The Subaru XT6 was the official car for the Most Valuable Player forSuper Bowl XXIII in 1989, eventually won bySan Francisco 49ers wide receiverJerry Rice.
The XT was almost never officially used for racing. One exception is the1985 Wynn's Safari Australia where one XT competed, however it received damage and was not able to finish.
For one thing, the XT is the ultimate in jazzy design, and it comes in
Throughout its years of production, a grand total of 98,918 Subaru XT's came out of the Subaru warehouse.
For one thing, the XT is the ultimate in jazzy design, and it comes in several states of dress, ranging from the base front-wheel-drive coupe all the way up through a four-wheel-drive version that is turbocharged.
