Subaru Sumo

The Subaru 4WD E10 / Libero is a five-door minibus and panel van, which was offered from 1983 to 1998 in Germany. It was based on the Japan based in the kei car class Subaru Sambar in the 4th and 5th generation.

• 3.1 Libero professional from 1993 to 1998

• 4.1 E10
• 4.2 E12

Subaru E10 4WD 1983

Subaru E10 / Subaru 600

As a Subaru 600, the 3rd generation of Subaru Sambar had already been imported to 1982 in various countries of Europe, the better equipped version of the minibus as Subaru 700 In Germany, this model was not officially marketed. In 1982, the import of the fourth generation Sambar KJ 6 with a flat roof to Europe, again as a Subaru 600 and Subaru E10 as 4WD. As of January 1983, the model was available as a 4WD Subaru E10 in Germany. In August 1983, the import of the high roof model of KJ 6 began as a Subaru 700 and E10 4WD in Europe.

Due to stricter crash regulations in Europe and North America Subaru developed a facelift model of the KJ6 with high roof, which now lay outside the size limits of the Kei -car class. In January 1984, the import of this model start in Germany was again the Subaru E10 4WD, while the import of the original Sambar KJ6 was officially discontinued in Germany and was only via gray import.

Subaru Libero E10 / Libero 1200 E12 1984-1993

Subaru Libero 1200

Subaru Libero E10 1984-1987

To distinguish the model due to the size and features of the Subaru Sambar, Subaru sought by sweepstakes by a different name. So it came to the Japanese name Domingo, which means translated into English Libero. The name Domingo ( partially with additional E10) has been used in Asia, which translated into English names Libero version from about mid- 1984 many European markets including Germany. However, in the UK the model was called Subaru Sumo, Sweden Subaru Columbuss. Later, the name was unified Europe except the United Kingdom and Sweden to Subaru Libero.

The first had Libero in Germany ( Libero E10) 3- cylinder in-line engine with E10 997 cc and 37 kW/50 hp, which was installed transversely in the rear. He reached a top speed of 120 km / h

Normally a 5 -speed gearbox only the rear wheels were driven. Could be to 4WD mode, ie all-wheel drive, switched via a switch in the gear - shift lever. The coupling of the front axle by means of negative pressure from the intake duct has been connected via an electrically operated pneumatic valve. This rigid connection of the front-wheel drive without a center differential, however, made ​​in narrow curves on rough ground for tension of the drive train and was therefore only suitable for slippery surfaces or mainly straight ahead. Front he had ventilated disc brakes and rear self-adjusting drum brakes.

However, the high by the high side of the roof area has also led to higher sensitivity to side winds, which could make highway driving with the Libero adventurous in strong winds. Nevertheless, the Libero was moving more stable and far less wobbly, as one would expect due to the proportions, since all heavy parts such as engine, transmission, differential gear, etc. were built very deep and thus the focus was high relative to low structure.

The rectangular dual headlights were equipped with motorized height adjustment to adapt to the loading of up to 400 kg.

The body was screwed on to a lead frame on which the wheels were suspended via suspension arms and trailing arms with a combined shock absorber / spring legs. Because of the relatively small wheels with tires size 155/80 R13 or 165/65 R13, the low entanglement of independent suspension and the relatively large overhangs front and rear of the sweeper was despite four wheel drive not a SUV, but had an unusual off-road performance for this class of vehicle.

The vehicle had two front -hinged doors with crank windows, sliding doors on both sides with sliding windows at the rear and a top -hinged tailgate over the entire interior height. He offered six seats out of a total length of just 3.42 meters. The interior was to create highly variable by folding and / or folding the seats. The front seats were also turned over to use as a bed seats, and in some embodiments, the front seats were optional rotatable so that the Libero as a mini - camper or truck with load capacity up to about 1.8 m long, 1.2 m wide and 1.3 was m very universally applicable. As an option, a central, manually operated steel sunroof could be ordered.

1985 Subaru Libero cost of 16,490 DM

Subaru Libero 1200 1986-1993

From 1986 the model Sweeper 1200 with the three - cylinder petrol engine with E12 1189 cc and unregulated catalyst was offered. In 4400 rev / min the engine is now made ​​52 HP / 38 kW, which reached a top speed of 130 km / hr. Otherwise, the model corresponded to its sister model Libero E10.

Subaru Libero 1200 wheel "Special" / Subaru Libero Domingo

As a special model 1200 Subaru all-wheel specialist the vehicle over the standard model ( "Alpine - Windows " ) was with tinted side glass roof with sunblind, steel sunroof with wind deflector, swiveling front seats, seat covers and other two -tone paint equipped. It cost 20,500 DM (as of 1990). In other countries, such as Austria was this version Subaru Libero 1200 Domingo.

Libero Van

The Libero as a van was at Start Import at the time the only offered in its size vans with four-wheel drive at a comparatively low price and accordingly popular example the craft or as a camper expansion base. He had a maximum load length of 2.64 m and a removable cargo area partition and floor of the luggage compartment.

In Austria, Switzerland and the Nordic countries, the sweeper van was exceeded for Post and telecommunications companies as well as fleets of energy companies very often represented as well. This success also accelerated the introduction of competing models Suzuki Super Carry and Daihatsu Hijet with all-wheel drive.

Subaru Libero SDX / SDX -SR 1993-1998

Subaru Libero SDX

From the end of 1993 a new Libero was offered based on the in 1990 launched Subaru Sambar 5 in Germany. He was driven back with the 3- cylinder E12, but now as an injection unit and with 3- way catalytic converter. He reached a top speed of 128 km / h Now compared to its predecessor, he appeared in gefälligerem, more angular design. Furthermore, he had front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. The dual headlights were replaced by rectangular single headlights, and the front and rear bumpers were a bit more volume. As Libero SDX he had as essential equipment 2 fold-down front seats and 2 reversible and foldable seats in the passenger compartment along with 2 sliding doors with child lock and tailgate. In addition, extra heater in the passenger compartment, all already known from the predecessor. In the version Libero SDX -SR he possessed also has a pop-top on the front and an electric panoramic glass sunroof with sunshade above the middle row of seats. Optionally, it was for this release power windows in the sliding doors and hinged front seats. For the Subaru SDX / SDX -SR at the dealer also has a manual air conditioning system was retrofitted.

Libero professional 1993-1998

As a glazed vans without rear seats with a cargo floor made ​​of beech veneer panels and a massive cargo space lattice model for commercial use was available. On special order, there was also behind him fully verblecht as a panel van with truck license.

Motors

E10

The 3-cylinder in-line engine with E10 997 cc was a water-cooled four-stroke petrol engine with overhead camshaft. Its maximum power was 37 kW. The engine of the E10 was similar to the J10 engine, which was installed in the Subaru Justy type KAD with 1.0 liter displacement. Many spare parts are suitable for both motors and cars.

E12

The 3- cylinder engine E12 with 1,189 cc displacement was available in two variants, the petrol engine with unregulated catalyst and as an injection unit with 3- way catalytic converter. It was like the E10 to a water-cooled four-stroke petrol engine with overhead camshaft. The two versions had different performance:

• E12 Carburetor: The maximum power of 38 kW has been achieved at 4000 rpm, maximum torque 97 Nm at 2800 rpm it reached. The compression ratio was 9,1:1

• E12 injection: The maximum power of 40 kW was obtained at 4600 rpm, while the maximum torque has been reached of 97 Nm at 3000 rpm only. The compression ratio was also 9,1:1

The E12 was similar to the J12 engine, which was installed in the Subaru Justy type KAD with 1.2 liter displacement. Many spare parts are suitable for both motors and cars.

Import end

1998, the import of Libero was set by Germany. According to specification of the Federal Motor Vehicle Office about 2300 Subaru Libero in Germany were approved for road traffic in 2005 yet. At least the KJ models with uncontrolled catalyst are threatened in Germany by road tax, legislation, high prices of spare parts, and not least susceptibility to rust with extinction. Effective 1 January 2012 or 1 678 FA, 154 KJ8 and 18 KJ6 were registered in Germany.