Subaru Sambar
The Subaru Sambar Subaru was in 1961 by the first Japanese Keitora (軽 トラ), brought shorthand for " kei class truck " on the Japanese market. The Sambar is available as a minibus, van and flatbed. Still popular in the domestic market, the Sambar besides Japan is also produced in China and Korea.
The name is inspired by the Sambar deer Sambar, which was often used in India to carry small loads.
Since its introduction, the Sambar has a rear-mounted engine with rear wheel drive. Since 1980, all-wheel drive is optional. In Europe, the Sambar Elcat of Electric Vehicles from Finland has been converted into an electric car.
1984 saw the introduction in Europe as Subaru 600/700 (eg Germany ), Subaru Domingo ( eg Austria, Switzerland ), Subaru Sumo (United Kingdom) or Subaru Columbus ( Sweden). Background of these different naming was a possible conflict with Volkswagen in using the name Sambar. Shortly after the introduction of the Subaru 600/700 was a contest for naming, so the model was on most European markets for Subaru Libero.
In 1990, the Sambar was renamed the van version in Subaru Sambar Dias Wagon. Since 2009, this is no longer based on the sambar, but on the Van Daihatsu Atrai.
The Sambar 7th generation is produced based on the Daihatsu Hijet Daihatsu since April 2012.
First generation Sambar (1961-1966)
From the beginning in 1961, had the Sambar 4- wheel independent suspension and a rear-mounted engine with rear-wheel drive, which is a balanced vehicle weight distribution allowed. The base provided the platform of the Subaru 360 Sambar The was first presented in 1960 at the Tokyo Motor Show. Available was a panel van and a minibus version. The chassis was a ladder frame construction. The motor, the so-called EC - number, was similar to the VW transporters T1-T3 accessible via a hatch in the rear of the vehicle. The front doors were so-called suicide doors. Optional bunk beds were available for outdoor camping use.
The Sambar was developed to provide a model next to the Subaru 360 that could carry small loads, but without leaving the important Japanese Kei -car class. In 1961, the Suzulight Carry ( with us later as Suzuki Carry known ) as the first competitor on the market in 1963 was followed by the Honda T360, 1964, the Daihatsu Hijet and 1966, the Mitsubishi Minicab.
Second generation Sambar (1966-1973)
In January 1966, the Sambar appeared with a new body, but the same chassis. Now called the first time a Japanese truck flatbed version was introduced. As a motor, there was still the 356 cc EC motor with but now 20 hp, which was used in Subaru 360 in July 1964. A high roof was offered as an option from 1968 onwards.
Starting with the 1970 model year of the engine from outside the vehicle's rear door was accessible by means of the suicide doors were replaced with conventional hinged doors. To improve the security as a fully padded instrument was introduced, which came from the new Subaru R-2. The body was modernized at the front and adapted to the design of the new Subaru L-Series.
As new competitors in the segment appeared in 1967, the Toyota MiniAce, in 1968, the Mazda Porter and in 1969 the then most modern representatives of the segment with water-cooled engine, the Datsun Sunny Cab
Subaru Sambar II Flatbed
Facelift model
Third generation Sambar (Export Subaru 600/700) (1973-1982)
The third generation was released on February 10, 1973, this time with the nickname Tsutomu Tsuyoshi Sambar due to an advertising campaign. The two-stroke two-cylinder 356 cc engine was now water-cooled. As of February 1976, the water-cooled EK21 four-stroke engine from the Subaru Rex was introduced to reduce emissions. From now on the transport of the fountain solution for the windscreen by means of an electric pump instead of the previous foot operation by pedal was.
Three months later, the 490- cc was - ( EK22 ) engine introduced optional. This was the 550 - cc in March 1977 - replacing ( EK23 ) engine. Now also started export of Sambar Subaru as a 700 with a 665 cc version of the EK -23 engine. Now also sliding side doors were available on both sides, in the export these were standard equipment. A central Sunroof was available as an option from 1979 onwards.
1980 in all body styles for the first time optional all-wheel drive offered. This led to initial sales success in Europe, with only the panel van and minibus variants were always offered.
Fourth generation Sambar (Export Subaru 600) / Sambar Try ( export Subaru 700) ( 1982-1990 )
On 9 May 1982, the fourth generation of the Sambar appeared. Installed MacPherson struts were now for the front axle. The wheel size has been increased from 10 to 12 inches, creating larger drum brakes could be used on all four wheels. The all-wheel drive model was now available with a dual -range transmission. It was the first version of the Sambar Try ( Europe Subaru 700), a better equipped model of the minibus version.
During the Sambar in the home market with the engine EK23 ( 544 cc, 2 cylinder, 21 kW / 29 hp) was offered, given the export versions that were initially offered as a Subaru 600, enlarged 665 cc version of the same engine, making the power to 23 kW (31 PS ) increased. The EN05, four-cylinder engine from the Subaru Rex was not offered because this many modifications would have been necessary due to the rear-engine principle.
In 1983 as Subaru 700 again high roof versions available with the 3-cylinder EF10 -1000 - cc engine in Europe. The normal / flat roof version with the smaller 665 cc engine was offered as a Subaru 600.
From 1984, the Subaru was 600/700 is no longer officially available in Europe and imported only through independent dealers. The background was the enlargement of the Sambar in the area of the front and rear bumper to improve occupant protection. Result and due to the larger motors exceed the requirements of the Sambar Kei class. This larger version was now offered as Subaru Domingo in Japan and upgraded with better interiors such as central as standard sunroof and all wheel drive. Gradually the model as a minibus or panel van version under the name Subaru Libero (Japanese: Domingo ) was Subaru Sumo ( GB), Subaru Domingo (eg Austria and Switzerland ) and Subaru Columbuss (Sweden) introduced. Later the name in Europe was unified with the exception of the UK and Sweden to Subaru Libero, but better -equipped versions were partially the addition Domingo to its former markets.
As of January 1987, the central sunroof was fitted with electric drive. Front disc brakes were now standard. An optional automatic transmission was available.
In April 1989, a six- valve engine is rated 25 kW ( 34 HP ) Standard engine in the sambar. The all-wheel drive was no longer switched on, but permanently available.
Subaru Samba Try
Subaru Domingo ( Libero / Sumo / Columbus )
Subaru Domingo rear view
Fifth generation Sambar / Sambar Dias Wagon I (1990-1998)
The fifth generation Sambar was introduced in 1990. In the tradition of Subaru Kei -car offering of the known from the Subaru Vivio Engine EN07 was installed. This had now four cylinder; with an optional supercharger and intercooler he reached 55 hp in the sambar. An automatic transmission was offered in the form of the EVT system Subaru, for the full-time 4WD with a viscous coupling and differential lock.
The van version was now called Subaru Sambar Try Dias Wagon. The truck version decreed contrary to the normal sambar on round headlights.
In 1992, the Sambar modernized with the 1200 cc three-cylinder EF12 from the Subaru Justy in the home market. Now also a maximum of 7 seats were possible in the van version. This model was introduced in 1993 as the new Subaru Libero / Sumo / Columbus in Europe.
Based on the Sambar truck, a separate van / minibus, on the basis from October 1993, a partly individual retro line of " Sambar Dias Classic" was set up was. This was influenced by the Subaru Vivio Bistro models and in the 90s, popular in Japan retro style.
As of October 1995, the EVT transmission was discontinued because of customer complaints about the ride comfort in favor of a 3- speed automatic transmission from the program.
Subaru Sambar Dias Classic
Subaru Sambar 1992 ( Libero / Sumo / Columbus )
Sixth generation Sambar (1999-2012)
The production of commercial Sambar variants began in March 1999. 2007 the front design of the Sambar 6 has been revised. On 28 February 2012, production of the Sambar 6 ended production to the end of 2012 the Sambar decreed among other things, standard with anti -lock brakes, driver and passenger airbags and electric windows. The panel van and minibus versions were equipped with electric sliding side doors.
2005 General Motors sold its 20 % stake in Fuji Heavy Industries, the parent company of Subaru. Fuji Heavy Industries now entered into a partnership with Toyota, which led to an interest of Toyota in Fuji Heavy Industries in the amount of 16.5 % in 2008. It was decided that all Kei -car vehicles would be replaced in the future by Subaru by badge - engineering models of the Toyota Group.
Sambar dashboard
Subaru Sambar Facelift
Sambar Dias Wagon II (1999-2009)
The sixth generation Sambar was introduced in late 1998. This year, the provisions were extended in the K- Car class with respect to the size of the vehicle, of which the Dias Wagon benefited.
The Sambar Dias was offered in conjunction with all-wheel drive only with a 3- speed automatic transmission. The engine power has now increased standard with compressor 58 hp. By 2002, a Sambar Dias Classic was offered.
2009 ended the production of the Subaru Sambar Dias Wagon based on the Sambar the 6th generation.
Sambar Dias Wagon III (since 2009)
Since 2009, the Sambar Dias Wagon III is produced in badge engineering techniques by Daihatsu. It corresponds largely to the Daihatsu Atrai the current generation.
Seventh Generation Sambar (since 2012)
Since April 2012, the 7th generation is offered. Since the investment by Toyota to the model by Subaru Badge - engineering of Daihatsu is produced based on the current Daihatsu Hijet.