The History of Subaru

Subaru is a Japanese automaker that has a history that dates back to the 1950s. Here is a brief overview of the company’s history:

• 1953: The Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) is founded in Japan, and it begins producing buses, trucks, and aircraft parts.
• 1958: FHI launches its first car, the Subaru 360. The car is a tiny, rear-engined, two-door vehicle that is popular in Japan.
• 1966: The Subaru 1000 is launched. It is the company’s first front-wheel-drive vehicle, and it is also the first car to feature Subaru’s signature boxer engine, which has cylinders that are horizontally opposed rather than in a V or inline configuration.
• 1972: Subaru launches its first all-wheel-drive car, the Leone 4WD. The car is a hit with customers, and it helps establish Subaru’s reputation for producing rugged, all-weather vehicles.
• 1989: Subaru launches the Legacy, which becomes one of the company’s most successful models. The Legacy is available in sedan and wagon configurations, and it is also the first Subaru model to feature a turbocharged engine.
• 1994: Subaru introduces the Outback, which is a raised and ruggedized version of the Legacy wagon. The Outback is marketed as a crossover SUV, and it becomes one of Subaru’s most popular models.
• 1997: Subaru launches the Forester, which is a compact crossover SUV. The Forester is based on the Impreza platform, and it becomes another successful model for Subaru.
• 2002: Subaru introduces the WRX STi, a high-performance version of the Impreza. The car is a hit with car enthusiasts, and it helps to establish Subaru as a maker of fun-to-drive vehicles.
• 2005: Subaru launches the Tribeca, which is a midsize crossover SUV. The Tribeca is not as successful as Subaru’s other models, and it is eventually discontinued in 2014.
• 2013: Subaru introduces the BRZ, a rear-wheel-drive sports car co-developed with Toyota. The BRZ is a departure from Subaru’s all-wheel-drive lineup, but it is well-received by car enthusiasts.

One major relationship that put Subaru on the global scale was their partnership with Colin McRae.

Colin McRae was a Scottish rally driver who was closely associated with Subaru during his career. McRae was a successful rally driver, winning the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 1995 and earning 25 rally wins over the course of his career.

McRae’s association with Subaru began in 1991, when he joined the Prodrive Subaru team. He quickly became one of the team’s top drivers, helping to develop the Subaru Impreza rally car and earning several podium finishes in the WRC. In 1995, McRae won the WRC championship driving a Subaru Impreza 555.

McRae’s success with Subaru helped to establish the company as a dominant force in the world of rally racing. The Subaru Impreza became known as one of the most successful and iconic rally cars of all time, thanks in part to McRae’s performances behind the wheel.

McRae’s association with Subaru continued even after he left the team in 1998. He continued to drive Subaru cars in other racing events, and he remained closely associated with the brand throughout his career. Tragically, McRae died in a helicopter crash in 2007, but his legacy lives on as one of the greatest rally drivers of all time and as a key figure in the history of Subaru.

Some notable milestones in the 2010-2020 period:

1. Launch of the BRZ sports car (2012): Subaru, in collaboration with Toyota, launched the BRZ sports car in 2012. It was a rear-wheel-drive sports car with a 2.0-liter engine, and it was well received by car enthusiasts around the world.
2. Introduction of EyeSight safety technology (2013): Subaru introduced its EyeSight safety technology in 2013. It uses cameras and sensors to provide features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.
3. Launch of the WRX STI (2014): Subaru launched the WRX STI in 2014, which was an updated version of its popular rally-inspired sports sedan. The new model featured a more powerful engine and better handling, and it was a hit with driving enthusiasts.
4. Launch of the Ascent SUV (2018): In 2018, Subaru launched its largest SUV yet, the Ascent. It was designed to compete with other mid-size SUVs and offered seating for up to eight passengers.
5. Introduction of the Crosstrek Hybrid (2018): Subaru introduced its first plug-in hybrid vehicle, the Crosstrek Hybrid, in 2018. It combined a 2.0-liter engine with an electric motor to provide improved fuel efficiency.
6. Launch of the Outback (2020): Subaru launched a redesigned version of its popular Outback wagon in 2020. It featured updated styling, improved safety features, and a more powerful engine.

Today, Subaru is known for producing rugged, reliable, and versatile vehicles that are popular with outdoor enthusiasts and families. The company’s lineup includes the Impreza, Legacy, Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, Ascent, and WRX/STi. Subaru also continues to innovate with new technologies, including its EyeSight driver assistance system, which uses cameras and sensors to help prevent accidents.

Kris Beck

Kris is the founder of 86modified.com and has a love for cars and modifying them. He has owned many different Japanese cars and has enjoyed installing modifications to get more power or fitting body parts to change the aesthetics.

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