Subaru R-2

Subaru R-2

The Subaru R-2 was a so-called Japanese K -car compact car that produced the Subaru 1969-1972. The R -2 was a full model change of the popular Subaru 360, but with an updated look and more interior space. So he had to drive from the Subaru 360 to the EK33 air-cooled 2- cylinder engine built at the beginning in the rear with rear wheel drive. Already in its first month 25,000 units were sold. Subaru had to have the more the trunk front and room for four passengers in the R-2 continues to be a rear-engine platform. Competitors offered now but to reduce front-engine front-wheel drive vehicle to the noise, coupled with foldable rear seats for increased cargo capacity. In response to the rising popularity of front-wheel drive models, Subaru offered from February 1970 at a tailgate and extended the offer to form a 3 - door station wagon. In April 1970, the Subaru R-2 SS was presented with a 36 hp twin choke carburettor, which was later referred to as the Subaru R-2 GSS. In the early 1970s, the Japanese government passed a law to reduce the emissions of air-cooled engines. Subaru introduced subsequently in October 1971 the water-cooled two-stroke engine EK34 before that it was now optional for the R -2. At the same time the front was redesigned and the corporate identity of Subaru, which was based on the new Subaru Leone, converted. Meanwhile, however, was technically obsolete the R-2 in many respects, and Subaru introduced in July 1972 as a successor to the Subaru Rex ago. Parallel to this, the R -2 was still produced until the end of 1972. A total of 289 555 copies were produced. A spiritual successor to the R-2 Subaru launched in 2003 with the Subaru R2.

R-2 Facelift 1971