Subaru Baja

Subaru Baja (2002-2006)

The Subaru Baja was one of the Japanese car manufacturer Subaru from early 2002 to mid-2006 offered in the U.S. four-door pickup truck on car base.

The Baja helped himself technically in the Legacy and Outback models. He was like those produced for the U.S. market in the Subaru works Lafyette in Indiana, which is why the manufacturer's name SIA ( Subaru of Indiana Automotive ) contains.

History

Prior to this production model in 2000 was a study called STX, while not reinventing the concept of car -based pickups, but revived after there was no longer the similarly designed Ford Ranchero, Chevrolet El Camino and Subarus own BRAT for over ten years.

The Baja was 15 inches longer than the Outback and offered a four-door passenger cabin, behind which was a 1040 mm long open cargo area with rear loading door. The rear seat could be folded as a small flap located behind the rear wall, resulting in a 1900 mm long cargo area revealed.

With this versatile concept of Baja competed against much larger and more fuel- intensive U.S. models such as the Chevrolet Avalanche and the Ford Sport -Trac. Subaru turned to the Baja to a young sporty clientele who recognized the advantages of relatively small dimensions and the typical Subaru all-wheel drive. Accessories like the bike carrier underlined the marketing objective of the Baja yet.

The Baja learned a tepid recording. Subaru friends lamented the lack of advertising for the model, the late introduction of a turbo version, the initial high price, the unsightly plastic shields on the flanks and the unusual yellow- silver color scheme of the first models.

In early 2003 Germany imported Subaru Baja Sport 153 and offered it, after minor modifications to the lighting system for the German market, for sale.

In four and a half years, Subaru Baja sold by the world's only 30,000 pieces.

In May 2006, the production of the Baja has ended without fanfare, as Subaru in Lafayette gave up the work, in which now the Toyota Camry was produced.

Changes to the model year

• 2003:

The first available model had standard leather seats, a power driver seat and a sunroof. Given the initially high price an economical equipped Sport version launched the work with fabric upholstery and manually adjusted seats, which was presented during the year. The sport also lacked exterior door handles and mirror housings in body color, leather steering wheel and control cuff, the exit lights in front doors and the ignition key with integrated light.

• 2004:

For the model year 2004, the 2.5 Turbo with fabric or leather interior, manual or semi-automatic, large air scoop on the hood and door handles and mirror housings in body color was introduced. The Baja Sport corresponded on the whole, the previous year's model, but offered new paint colors. In all models, the ground clearance has been increased.

• 2005:

In addition to new colors and some minor detail changes, nothing has changed. All models received an electrical outlet in the center console and map pockets in the backs of the front seat backrests; Turbo models with leather interior to a new load compartment cover sheet.

• 2006:

In the last model year of the Baja was offered only in three -color paint. The turbo could be ordered for an additional charge with an equipment package, leather interior, heated seats, special alloy wheels, a fixed loading bay cover and automatic transmission included. In all models, the theft protection has improved.