Subaru XT

Subaru XT
Overview
ManufacturerSubaru (Fuji Heavy Industries)
Also called
  • Subaru Alcyone (Japan)
  • Subaru Vortex (Australia & New Zealand)
Production1985–1991
AssemblyYajima Plant, Ota, Gunma, Japan
DesignerTetsuya Hayashi, Kiyoshi Sugimoto, Hiroshi Yako (interior)
Body and chassis
ClassSports car
Body style2-door coupé
Layout
RelatedSubaru Leone
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,464 mm (97 in)
Length4,511 mm (177.6 in)
Width1,689 mm (66.5 in)
Height1,336 mm (52.6 in)
Chronology
SuccessorSubaru Alcyone SVX

The Subaru XT is a two-door, front- or all-wheel drive, four passenger 2+2 coupé[1] manufactured and marketed by Subaru 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 designer Alex Tremulis.[1]

Marketed as the Alcyone in Japan; as the Vortex in Australia and New Zealand; and as the XT (with the EA-82 four-cylinder engine) or XT6 (with the ER-27 six-cylinder engine) in North America and Europe, all XT's were assembled at Subaru's Yajima Plant in Ota, 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 1985 Geneva Motor Show,[3] followed by its Japanese debut in June 1985.[4]

The XT was noted for its pronounced wedge shape, low coefficient 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 available front-wheel drive or four-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]

The Alcyone nameplate derives from Alcyone, the brightest star in the Pleiades star cluster, stylized in the Subaru logo. The model was superseded by the Subaru Alcyone SVX in 1992.

  1. ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference alarm was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Megan McCoig (April 7, 2022). "A Detailed Look At The Subaru XT". Hotcars.com. Throughout its years of production, a grand total of 98,918 Subaru XT's came out of the Subaru warehouse.
  3. ^ Kurki-Suonio, Hannu (1985-03-19). "Katseiden keskipisteessä" [Focus on the eyes]. Tekniikan Maailma (in Finnish). Vol. 41, no. 5/85. Helsinki: TM-Julkaisu. p. 26. ISSN 0355-4287.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference subimp17 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).