History of the Subaru Leone
The Subaru Leone was a subcompact car produced by the Japanese car manufacturer Subaru from 1971 to 1994. It was released as a replacement for the Subaru 1000 and was in turn replaced by the Subaru Impreza in the same size class. The word “leone” is Italian for lion. The Leone was known as the “GL/DL” in North America and was offered in sedan, hardtop coupe, and station wagon formats. All Leones were powered by the Subaru EA boxer engine, and most cars were equipped with optional four-wheel drive.
The Leone model received a number of modifications and complete sets in various bodies, with three generations of these cars being released during its production run. The first generation Leone was released in October 1971 as a front-wheel drive coup, with trim levels DL, GL, and GSR. In April 1972, two and four-door sedans were introduced with trim levels DL and GL, and in Japan, the Super Touring. In June 1979, the Subaru Leone model received the first major updates, marking the release of the second generation of these cars. The second generation also saw the introduction of the three-door hatchback version. The Leone competed with popular models such as the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sunny, Honda Civic, and the Mitsubishi Lancer [[7]].
Subaru broke new ground by introducing a mass-produced four-wheel drive passenger car with the Leone, after having tested the waters by building a limited series of four-wheel drive FF-1 1300G wagons in 1971. Four-wheel drive was a notable feature of the Leone during the 1970s and 1980s, leading to strong sales in places like Switzerland and Colorado. The Leone also inspired other vehicle makers to embark on the light-duty 4WD journey, contributing to the widespread inclusion of such vehicles in their ranges.
The Subaru Leone was sold internationally under various trim level designations, including DL, GL, GLF, GLF5, GL-10, and RX. In major markets such as Australia, Europe, and North America, it was often identified with these trim level designations and referred to simply as the Subaru GL or the Subaru L series .
The Leone remained in production until 1993, when the slightly smaller Subaru Impreza replaced it. The average price of a Subaru Leone is reported to be $6,910, and it was sold for model years 1972 to 1994.
Overall, the Subaru Leone played a significant role in Subaru’s history, particularly with its pioneering introduction of mass-produced four-wheel drive passenger cars and its enduring presence in the subcompact car market for over two decades.
Contents
- What is the story of the Subaru?
- What was the first Subaru Leone?
- What is the most rare Subaru?
- How much is a Subaru Leone worth?
- What are Subarus known for breaking?
- Who are the seven sisters of Subaru?
- What kind of engine is in the Subaru Leone?
- Why is Subaru called Subaru?
- Who built Subaru engines?
- What is the fuel consumption of Subaru Leone?
What is the story of the Subaru?
Subaru started as an aircraft research company named Fuji Heavy Industries in 1915, however they would soon reorganize to become the chief aircraft manufacturer for Japan during World War II. After the war effort, the company pivoted towards car manufacturing, thus creating the Subaru brand.
What was the first Subaru Leone?
The Subaru Leone 4WD Estate Van, Japan’s first AWD passenger car, was introduced to the market in September 1, 1972. FHI had started mass production of Leone 4WDs at its Gunma plant in July 1972.
What is the most rare Subaru?
The Subaru Impreza S201 is an ultra-rare GC8 model, with only 87 cars ever made, making it rarer than even the iconic 22B. The S201 is faster than the 22B in a straight line, with a top speed of 135 mph and 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds.
How much is a Subaru Leone worth?
Q: What is the average sale price of a Subaru Leone? A: The average price of a Subaru Leone is $6,910.
What are Subarus known for breaking?
Here are some of the most common Subaru problems to look out for:
- Damaged bumper.
- Fast battery drain.
- Dings and dents.
- Broken fuel pump.
- Starlink issues.
- Cracked windshields.
- Sudden unintended acceleration.
- Electrical issues.
Who are the seven sisters of Subaru?
“Subaru” is the Japanese word for the constellation Pleiades. This constellation is roughly 100 million years old and is composed of the “seven sister” stars, including: Sterope, Merope, Taygeta, Maia, Alcyone, and Celaeno.
What kind of engine is in the Subaru Leone?
The Subaru Leone GL Coupe has a Boxer 4, Petrol engine with 1361 cm3 / 83.1 cu-in capacity.
Why is Subaru called Subaru?
“SUBARU” signifies a Japanese word meaning “unite,” as well as a term identifying a cluster of six stars, which the Greeks called the Pleiades – part of the Taurus constellation. According to Greek mythology, Atlas’ daughters turned into this group of stars.
Who built Subaru engines?
Fuji Heavy Industries
The Subaru six-cylinder engines are a series of flat-6 engines manufactured by Subaru, a division of Fuji Heavy Industries, made in three distinct generations.
What is the fuel consumption of Subaru Leone?
Subaru Leone 1987 Fuel consumption
The Subaru Leone currently offers fuel consumption from 8.1 to 9.2L/100km.