What is a Subaru Brumby?

Subaru Brumby: Overview and History
The Subaru Brumby, also known as the Subaru BRAT (Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter), is a small all-wheel drive utility vehicle that was produced by Subaru from 1978 to 1994. It was primarily marketed in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. The Brumby was based on the Subaru Leone/Loyale platform and was designed to be a versatile and capable off-road vehicle.
The Brumby gained popularity in Australia during the 1980s due to its reliability, toughness, and impressive off-road capabilities, despite its low ground clearance and modest power output. It was well-regarded for its all-wheel drive system, which allowed it to traverse rough terrain with ease .
The Brumby featured a unique design with a small pickup truck bed and two rear-facing jump seats in the cargo area. It was powered by a range of horizontally opposed four-cylinder engines, including both petrol and diesel options. The Brumby was available with either a four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic transmission.
Discontinuation and Future Concepts
The Subaru Brumby was discontinued after the 1994 model year, and no third-generation models were produced. However, Subaru did reveal a concept pickup called the Suiren at the 1993 Tokyo Motor Show. The Suiren provided a glimpse of what Subaru had in mind for the Brumby’s successor and potentially future generations of the Impreza. Despite the concept’s positive reception, it did not make it to production .
In 2002, Subaru released a similar pickup vehicle called the Baja, which was based on the Legacy/Outback platform. The Baja featured a four-door crew cab design with a small pickup bed and a versatile interior. However, it was larger and more refined compared to the Brumby.
Current Availability and Market
As of the latest information available, the Subaru Brumby is no longer in production. However, there are still used Brumby vehicles available for sale in Australia. Websites like carsales.com.au and Gumtree Cars occasionally list used Subaru Brumby vehicles for sale. The prices and availability may vary depending on the condition, age, and location of the vehicle.
Possibility of a New Brumby Model
While the Subaru Brumby has a loyal following, Subaru has not announced any plans to reintroduce the Brumby or develop a new compact utility vehicle. The brand’s focus has shifted towards larger one-tonne utes, and the packaging requirements of modern standards may pose challenges for a compact utility vehicle like the Brumby. However, there have been renderings and concepts imagining a new Brumby based on the Subaru Impreza, but these are not indicative of any official plans for production .
In conclusion, the Subaru Brumby is a small all-wheel drive utility vehicle that was produced by Subaru from 1978 to 1994. It gained popularity for its reliability and off-road capabilities. While the Brumby is no longer in production, used models can still be found for sale in Australia. Subaru has not announced any plans for a new Brumby model, and the brand’s focus has shifted towards larger utility vehicles.

What is a Subaru Brumby worth?

The Subaru Brumby is available from $4,510 to $6,820 for the 1994 range of models in Single Cab body types. Interested in a Subaru Brumby?

What motor is in a Subaru Brumby?

The Subaru Brumby is a small all-wheel drive ute that first arrived in Australia in 1978. The little ute won over Aussies during the 1980s for its reliability, toughness and impressive off-road ability despite it having a low car-like ground clearance and just 61kW of power from 1.8-litre four cylinder boxer engine.

What engine fits in a Subaru Brumby?

EA81 being the common engine in a Brumby and most early Subarus. The EA82 is commonly found in a Subaru L-series.

Why was the Subaru BRAT discontinued?

The declining demand came as a result of Japanese customers shifting to station wagons at that time. In 1987, exports to North America ceased, but exports to Europe, Australia, Latin America, and New Zealand continued until 1994.

What is the difference between a Subaru Brumby and a Subaru BRAT?

What is the difference between a Subaru Brat and a Subaru Brumby? They are basically one and the same. There are small variations but they were called a Brat in Canada and the United States. In Australia, they are referred to as a Brumby.

Is Subaru Brumby a 4WD?

launched in 1977 becoming an instant hit with Aussie. farmers.

Is Subaru bringing back the Brumby?

Subaru has said it has no plans to return to the Brumby, but what if the new Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick utes were just too much to ignore..?

What engine did the Subaru Brumby have?

EA is the series of engine currently in your Subaru Brumby and L-series. EA81 being the common engine in a Brumby and most early Subarus. The EA82 is commonly found in a Subaru L-series.

When was the last Subaru Brumby made?

Made (but never sold) in Japan from 1978 to 1993, the Brumby was available in Australia from the early ’80s until 1994, and was unique in that it was lightweight and afforded a high degree of passenger comfort, in contrast to other four-wheel-drive utes available at the time.

Can you legally sit in the back of a Subaru BRAT?

In California, people can only legally ride in the cargo body of a pickup truck if there are seats and approved restraint systems. So basically, it’s illegal to ride in the body of a pickup truck because it violates the California seatbelt law.