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Subaru Rex
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==First generation== {{Infobox automobile |name= First generation |aka= Subaru 500/600<br>Mini Subaru (Israel) |image= 1stRex.jpg |body_style= 2/4-door [[Sedan (automobile)|sedan]]<br>3-door [[hatchback]] (Van/Wagon)<br>3-door [[hatchback]] (Swingback) |layout= [[Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|rear engine, rear drive]] |production= 06.1972–09.1981 |transmission= Four/five-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]],<br>optional "[[Semi-automatic transmission|Autoclutch]]" in 1980-81 |engine= 356 cc ''[[List of Subaru engines#EK34|EK34]]'' [[Two-stroke engine|two-stroke]] [[Straight-twin engine|I2]] <br>358 cc ''[[List of Subaru engines#EK21|EK21]]'' I2 <br> 490 cc ''[[List of Subaru engines#EK22|EK22]]'' I2 <br>544 cc ''[[List of Subaru engines#EK23|EK23]]'' I2 |length= {{convert|2995|mm|in|abbr=on}} (1972-76)<br> 3185-{{convert|3190|mm|in|abbr=on}} (1976-81) |width= {{convert|1295|mm|in|abbr=on}} (1972-76)<br> {{convert|1395|mm|in|abbr=on}} (1976-81) |wheelbase= {{convert|1920|mm|in|abbr=on}} |height= {{convert|1255|-|1385|mm|in|abbr=on}} |weight= {{convert|480|-|570|kg|lb|abbr=on}} |predecessor = [[Subaru R-2]] }} [[File:Rex-v 002.jpg|thumb|left|1975β1976 Subaru Rex Van 360, high roofed version with engine placement visible]] The Rex ('''K21'''), introduced 15 July 1972,<ref>{{cite book | title = 360cc: Nippon θ»½θͺεθ» Memorial 1950β1975 |trans-title=Nippon Kei Car Memorial 1950-1975 | language = Japanese | publisher = Yaesu Publishing | year = 2007 | page = 86 | location = Tokyo | isbn = 978-4-86144-083-0 }}</ref> was the replacement for the [[Subaru R-2]], which was itself the replacement for the long lived, but outdated [[Subaru 360]].<ref name="CG70">{{cite book | title = Car Graphic: Car Archives Vol. 5, '70s Japanese Cars | publisher = Nigensha | year = 2007 | language = Japanese | page = 127 | location = Tokyo | isbn = 978-4-544-09175-5 }}</ref> Because the R-2 was based largely on the 360, originally including its air-cooled [[two-stroke engine]], it lasted less than three years, where the 360 was marketed for 11 years and the rear-engined Rex for nine. The Subaru Rex represented a fresh design, sharing little of its appearance with the Subaru 360, although they were mechanically the same and shared a [[RR layout|rear-engine layout]].<ref name=Ruiz>Ruiz: p. 163</ref> The Rex also retained the 360/R-2's rear [[swing axle]]. The Rex's styling resembled Subaru's new compact car, the [[Subaru Leone|Leone]]. The Rex originally featured the same water-cooled 356 cc [[List of Subaru engines#EK34|EK34]] two-stroke engine as used in the R-2, and was available only as a two-door sedan. Its engine created {{convert|32|,|35|or|37|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}}. In February 1973 a four-door sedan was added.<ref name=Schaefer>{{cite web | last = Schaefers | first = Martin | title = Subaru Rex | publisher = Far East Auto Literature | url = http://www.xs4all.nl/~mjs/subaruk.html | accessdate = 2011-03-21 }}</ref> The Van was registerable as a commercial vehicle, allowing for considerable savings in taxes and fees. The EK34 engine came with a {{convert|32|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}} single carburetor on the Custom L, Super L, and other trim levels down to Standard, or a {{convert|37|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}} double carburetor for the sporty GSR. The TS (Touring Sport) received a {{convert|35|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}} iteration.<ref name=eichitwo>{{cite book |script-title=ja:η΅Άηθ»γ«γΏγγ° ε½η£θ»η·¨ Part2 1970~1979 (Eichi Mook) |trans-title=Japanese Vintage Car Guide: Car Catalog part 2, 1970β1979 | publisher = [[:ja:θ±η₯εΊη|Eichi Publishing (θ±η₯εΊη)]] | location = Tokyo | page = 63 | year = 1996 | isbn = 4-7542-5086-9 }}</ref> The GSR was also somewhat lower than its counterparts, due to radial tires being fitted. In October 1973 the two-stroke was replaced by a 358 cc rear-mounted, watercooled, two-cylinder, [[Four-stroke cycle|four-stroke]] engine called the [[List of Subaru engines#EK21|EK21]]. This produced {{convert|31|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}} at a peaky 8000 rpm and {{convert|3.0|kgm|Nm lbft|abbr=on}} of torque at 6500 rpm, and featured Subaru Exhaust Emissions Control (SEEC).<ref name=nippon>''Nippon Kei Car Memorial 1950-1975'', p. 88</ref> The car also received a minor facelift (with a "frowny" rather than the smiling grille seen on the turquoise four-door in the infobox being the most obvious difference) and a new chassis code: '''K22'''. Front disc brakes were also introduced as an option at the same time. The four-stroke Rex could reach a top speed of {{convert|110|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="AR74">{{citation | ref = AR74 | title = Automobil Revue '74 | editor1-last = Braunschweig | editor1-first = Robert | display-editors = et al | language = de, fr | publisher = Hallwag AG | page = 484 | location = Berne, Switzerland | volume = 69 | date = 14 March 1974 | isbn = ((3-444-66015-1)) }}</ref> The three-door, two-seater "Van" ('''K42''') arrived in February of the next year, when a five-speed version (Custom5) was also added. The Van's engine was in a lesser state of tune and produces {{convert|27|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}}. In September 1974, along with a minor facelift consisting of a new grille and bumpers adjusted to allow for the fitment of larger license plates, a "Wagon" version ('''K26''') appeared. This received four permanent seats, but was no longer registerable as a commercial vehicle and had a considerably lower max load. At the same time, a "Super L" version of the Van was added. The Wagon also received a lower tuned four-stroke engine, with {{convert|28|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 7500 rpm; but torque increased somewhat to {{convert|3.1|kgm|Nm lbft|abbr=on}} at 5700 rpm.<ref>{{citation | url = http://a15ff11300g.sakura.ne.jp/catalogue/rex/49.9%20new%20rex%20van/large/49.9%20new%20rex%20van.02.jpg | title = Subaru New Rex Van ''(catalog)'' | publisher = [[Fuji Heavy Industries]] |date=September 1974 | page = 8 | id = 44KV-3 }}</ref> In April 1975 the Van received a higher roof and became a four-seater. This was necessitated by Japanese commercial vehicle regulation which require the floor to be completely flat when the rear seat is folded. Because the Rex's engine was mounted in the rear, the cargo floor was rather high, meaning that more head room would be required before a seat could be installed. The Wagon continued in production until the SEEC-T version was introduced in December, but it lost most of its market with the availability of a four-seater Van. 28 PS became the power output of all versions of the Rex for model year 1976 after the SEEC-T ('''S'''ubaru '''E'''xhaust '''E'''mission '''C'''ontrol - '''T'''hermal and '''T'''hermodynamic) emissions control system was introduced in December 1975. Torque was down to {{convert|2.9|kgm|Nm lbft|abbr=on}} at 6000 rpm.<ref>''Nippon Kei Car Memorial 1950-1975'', p. 91</ref> The equipment levels were also reshuffled, with the B-type replacing the Standard and then rising from the A{{math|I}} via the A{{math|I}}G and A{{math|II}} to the A{{math|II}}G on top. The A{{math|II}} and A{{math|II}}G versions received disc brakes in front, but the five-speed was no longer available. {{anchor|K23|K43|K24|K44}} ==={{anchor|Rex5|K23|K24|550}} 550 cc era=== [[File:Subaru Kei car unidentified.jpg|thumb|left|Subaru 500 or 600, export version]] [[File:1stRex-koukirear.jpg|thumb|left|1979β1981 Subaru Rex 550 A{{math|II}}G]] In response to new regulations for [[Kei car]]s introduced for 1976, Subaru introduced the larger-engined '''Rex 5''' in May of that year. It retained the earlier bodywork (albeit broadened by 10 cm and with a lengthened bonnet for an overall length of {{convert|3185|mm|in|abbr=on|disp=or}}) receiving a 490 cc version of the same engine.<ref name=Schaefer/> The Rex 5 ('''K23''', '''K43''' in the Van version) engine was still of two cylinders and an overhead cam design, and retained the SEEC-T emissions control system. Power increased from the emissions choked late 360s to {{convert|31|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 6500 rpm, while torque increased to {{convert|3.8|kgm|Nm lbft|abbr=on}} at 4500 rpm. The A{{math|I}}G version was dropped.<ref>{{citation | title = Subaru Rex 5 SEEC-T ''(catalog)'' | publisher = [[Fuji Heavy Industries]] |date=May 1976 | page = 7 | id = 46K-5 }}</ref> The Van version received a {{convert|28|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}} engine (at 6000 rpm) with the same torque, albeit at 500 rpm lower. Van equipment levels were Standard and Super Deluxe. This version (called the Subaru 500 in the export) was short-lived, replaced by the bigger Rex 550 exactly one year after being introduced. The Rex 550, introduced in May 1977, featured the SEEC-T equipped watercooled, two-cylinder, [[Four-stroke cycle|four-stroke]] 544 cc EK23 series engine. Chassis code was '''K24''', It remained rear-mounted, coupled to a four-speed manual gearbox. Max power remained {{convert|31|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}} at a slightly lower 6200 rpm and torque was {{convert|4.2|kgm|Nm lbft|abbr=on}} at 3500 rpm.<ref>Subaru Rex OWNER'S MANUAL</ref> A comparatively well-equipped Custom L version of the Van ('''K44''') was added. As usual, the Vans received a lower powered version of the engine, with {{convert|28|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 6000 rpm but the same exact torque figures.<ref>{{citation | url = http://a15ff11300g.sakura.ne.jp/catalogue/rex/54.6%20rex%20550%20van/large/54.6%20rex%20550%20van.large.b.html | title = Subaru New Rex Van 550 ''(catalog)'' | publisher = [[Fuji Heavy Industries]] |date=June 1979 | page = 8 | id = 48KV-30 }}</ref> The Van could take a max load of only {{convert|200|kg|lb|-1|abbr=on}}, 100 kg less than most of its competitors. This was counteracted by the comparatively high level of passenger comfort in the Rex Van. The Rex 550 was called the Subaru 600 in most export markets. Subaru made much of the "Multi-Use Lever", which combined the headlight, turn signal, and windshield washer functions. This was not installed on the lowest spec versions (Type B, Standard).<ref name=Catvol25>{{citation | ref = JAMA25 | title = θͺεθ»γ¬γ€γγγγ― [Japanese Motor Vehicles Guide Book 1978/1979] | language = Japanese | volume = 25 | date = 1978-10-10 | publisher = [[Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association]] | location = Japan | pages = 175, 201 | id = 0053-780025-3400 }}</ref> In March 1978 the Swingback version was added, a two-door sedan which received a larger, opening rear window.<ref name="CG70"/> The large rear window necessitated a slightly smaller opening to the engine compartment, but this was more than made up for by allowing for access to the rear luggage compartment from the outside. In March 1979, the Rex underwent a very minor facelift, the most visible results being new rims and slightly differing bumpers and a small spoiler in front.<ref name="CG70"/> Then, in response to the very low priced [[Suzuki Alto#SS30|Suzuki Alto]], a decontented version of the Van called "Family Rex" was added in October 1979.<ref>{{citation | first = Jack K. | last = Yamaguchi | editor-last = LΓΆsch | editor-first = Annamaria | journal = World Cars 1980 | title = Consummation of the Turbulent Decade | publisher = L'Editrice dell'Automobile LEA/Herald Books | location = Pelham, New York | pages = 66β67 | year = 1980 | isbn = 0-910714-12-6 }}</ref> It was priced at a very low Β₯480,000 (under US$2,000 at the time). An automatic clutch option was added on several Rex models in March 1980.<ref name="CG70"/> {{Clear}} {{anchor|2nd|Mini Jumbo}}
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