40 years of Subaru Germany

Four-wheel drive, this topic drove the world of technology crazy 40 years ago. More and more all-wheel drive activists conquered the German car market, off-road veterans like Jeep and Land Rover suddenly had to share the market with the Mercedes G-Class or Suzuki Jimny, but above all it was the Audi quattro, which was the top ace in sports car quartets and caused euphoric enthusiasm as a potential rally champion. In contrast, Subaru's entry into the German market in the fall of 1980 was almost unnoticed. Ironically, the start of the world's only manufacturer of all-wheel-drive sedans, station wagons and coupés in millions of copies was only noticed by a few forest officials and farmers who viewed the Japanese 4 × 4 cars as a pragmatic mobility solution for wintry and slippery mountain roads.

Sales figures in Germany modest

It would take a few years in Germany for word of the tough Japanese to be a taker. But then the technology-loving and idiosyncratic brand found a solid group of fans who did not want to miss the Subaru-typical drive concept of boxer engines and a symmetrically designed all-wheel drive for neutral driving characteristics. Even if the German sales of Subaru remain modest to this day, that does not prevent the Japanese from creative and adrenaline-rich concepts. The legendary rally champion Impreza WRX STI, the exciting Gran Turismo SVX, cheeky micro-vans and beach cars like Libero and Baja and, above all, the brand icons Outback and Forester, with which Subaru accelerated the entire SUV segment, stand for this.

It was the Swiss who established Subaru in Europe. First through astonishing sales successes in the Alpine cantons of the Swiss Confederation and then as a savior for the founding team of Subaru Germany, which is quickly in the red. The first import center apparently lacked the talent to make the then only front-wheel drive and selectable four-wheel drive cars known nationwide. Only a little over 200 Subaru 1800 4WD with 60 kW / 82 PS boxer could be sold in the first year, worse still: Around 2.000 unsold all-wheel drive vehicles overcrowded the warehouse. A fatal situation that was turned in 1981 by the commitment of the Swiss Subaru importer, the Emil Frey Group. As the first Asian car brand, Subaru succeeded in engaging German celebrities as advertising ambassadors. Successful skiers Rosi Mittermaier and Christian Neureuther explained the advantages of four-wheel drive in a major marketing campaign.

First models in Germany

Now Subaru was able to reach for those stars in Germany that the brand, founded in 1917 as an aircraft manufacturer, has in its logo. Subaru was first noticed as a car maker in 1958, when the curious kei car Subaru 360 was one of the early Japanese people's cars. In 1972, the twin drive system, which is typical of the brand, consisting of a boxer engine and all-wheel drive, went into series production in the successful Leone model. In Germany, for legal reasons, Subaru had to do without the sonorous name Leone for the mid-range model, but the successor Legacy, launched in 1989, was able to claim several superlatives for itself: As the best-selling all-wheel-drive car of all time, as an adrenaline-charged turbo that set various speed world records and as a rally spearhead for the hot spur Impreza WRX STI, which has won the World Rally Championship title in series since 1995.

Strong competition

In the same year a legacy station wagon made its debut as a crossover pioneer: The Legacy Outback, named after the Australian wilderness, was popularized internationally by Paul Hogan, aka the movie hero "Crocodile Dundee". In Germany it took a little longer for the by no means inexpensive Outback to reach the numbers that the importer was hoping for. But that was due to the fact that premium brands like Volvo (V70 XC) or Audi (A6 Allroad) quickly followed suit and Subaru's regular customers were initially more focused on special models for hunting and forestry such as Legacy Hubertus and Impreza Pirsch. When the Outback dropped the addition of Legacy in 1999 and emphasized the qualities of a characterful SUV station wagon - in 2003 it was even available as the cheeky beach runner Baja - it established itself in this country as the flagship model of what is still the world's largest four-wheel drive car manufacturer. The most important successful model at the time was the Subaru Forester, launched in 1997, a Subaru-style SUV with compact dimensions, comfort and astonishing off-road properties. And then there were the design gems and mini-all-wheel drive vehicles that made Subaru desirable and brought it to an all-time high in sales.

First all-wheel drive compact car

It all began in 1984 with the original Libero micro-bus, which was just 3,53 meters long and offered space for six passengers or 2.500 liters of storage space. Just in time for the first moose test, Subaru ended the career of the tall space wonder. There was still the small car Justy, which was introduced in 1984 as the first Asian 4 × 4 mini in Europe. An extremely wedge-shaped sports coupé, with which the down-to-earth Subaru brand offered a technical layout that not even Audi or Porsche had in their portfolio: Turbo boxer with permanent all-wheel drive including electro-pneumatic independent suspension, seemed out of this world for visitors to the 1985 IAA Motor Show. The Subaru XT was replaced by a veritable dream car, at least for fans of glazed roof pulpits in the jetfighter style: The Subaru SVX drawn by Giugiaro scored in 1992 with a strong 3,3-liter six-cylinder, but remained a rarity in view of the extreme prices. In stark contrast to the affordable models from the 4 × 4 importer, with which Subaru celebrated an all-time high of almost 19.000 registrations in the newly reunified Germany.

New models delayed in Germany

In the meantime, Subaru was also subscribed to the top spots in reliability rankings, which guaranteed the technology-loving manufacturer a potential of satisfied regular customers. In fact, this should prove important in the decades that followed, with sales in the four-digit range. While the Japanese presented a boxer diesel specially developed for Europe in 2007, all subsequent novelties were initially launched in North America and usually shipped to Europe with a two-year delay. You can currently experience it in the sixth generation of the Subaru Outback, which was presented in 2019 and will not come to Germany before 2021. Endorphin accelerators such as the Impreza WRX STI or the sports coupé BRZ with classic rear-wheel drive were completely discontinued and full hybrid technology in crossover types such as the Subaru XV was reserved for the Americans. Subaru has now given the brand-typical boxer engine a new fascination as a so-called e-boxer. A small electric motor transforms the four-cylinder gasoline engine into a mild hybrid drive that can do what other brands would boast of as full hybrid technology, namely to cover miles of electric power. Understatement - that also distinguishes Subaru.

Chronicle

1917: Subaru was founded as an aeronautical company, which later became the leading Japanese aircraft manufacturer Nakajima Aircraft
1958: The Type 360 ​​is presented as the first Subaru passenger car built in large series
1969: The first Subaru prototypes with boxer engines and all-wheel drive go into field trials
1971: Subaru presents the first all-wheel drive car based on the Leone type, which goes into series production a year later
1973: Subaru made its European debut with the premiere of the Leone model at the Amsterdam Motor Show
1979: Subaru is launched in Switzerland
1980: Subaru Deutschland GmbH is founded on October 10th in Bad Hersfeld / Hessen (by Fuji Heavy Industries, Mitsui & Co. and a Hersfeld car dealer) and Subaru is able to sell the first 234 all-wheel-drive vehicles
1981: The Emil Frey Group from Switzerland takes over 55 percent of the shares in the new company and boosts sales. In addition, two of the most famous German skiers, Rosi Mittermaier and Christian Neureuther, will be signed as brand and advertising ambassadors for the all-wheel drive models in the summer. In its first full year of sales in Germany, Subaru achieved 2.622 registrations. The model range includes the 1800 4WD (Subaru Leone second generation) with switchable all-wheel drive, which is offered in various body styles
1983: Subaru Germany achieves 5.600 new registrations
1984: As the first small Japanese car available in Europe, Subaru Justy has selectable four-wheel drive. The Subaru L-series (Leone third generation) replaces the 1800 4WD. The micro-bus Subaru E10 or Libero is the shortest four-wheel six-seater of all time
1985: Subaru Germany moves to a new headquarters in Friedberg. In the same year, the company sells more than ten thousand units in a year for the first time. With the wedge-shaped pop-up headlamp sports coupé XT, Subaru has a new pulse accelerator that has a turbo engine
1986: With 16.714 registrations Subaru achieved a new record in Germany and celebrated this with the delivery of the 50.000. Allradlers to a German customer
1988: Subaru Tecnica International (STI) is founded in Japan as a specialist in motorsport activities and the Impreza WRX STI models, which are later also available in Germany
1989: Even before its public premiere, the Legacy sets FIA world records as the first four-wheel drive car in the world. This on the ATC circuit in Arizona over a distance of 100.000 kilometers and an average speed of 223,34 km / h. German debut and market launch of the Legacy in September at the IAA Frankfurt. In the course of its production period, which continues to this day, the Legacy has become the world's best-selling all-wheel drive car
1990: At the opening round of the World Rally Championship, the newly entered WRC Legacy made it into the top ten. Further respectable results for the legacy at the WRC and at the Pikes Peak hill climb follow. The Subaru WRX STI achieved the greatest successes
1991: The 147 kW / 200 PS strong Subaru Legacy 2000 Turbo sets an exclamation point as the fastest sprinting all-wheel sedan in the world, with the 0-100 km / h value of 6,7 seconds. The new top model in the Subaru range is the Gran Turismo SVX with a 3,3 liter six-cylinder boxer gasoline engine. In the first full sales year after German reunification, Subaru sales reached a new all-time high of almost 19.000 registrations
1992: Subaru grants a full warranty of three years or up to 100.000 kilometers, which was unusual at the time. The Subaru Vivio is the first kei car with 4WD to be sold in Europe, but only individual copies are introduced to Germany
1993: European sales start for the Impreza in the compact class. At the Geneva Motor Show, announcement of the first, albeit civilly held, Impreza Turbo and thus STI harbingers. In August the Impreza makes its WRC debut under Ari Vatanen and Bruno Berglund at the 1.000 Lakes Rally in Finland. Vatanen is in second place and Subaru is third in the WRC standings at the end of the season. In October Subaru presented the Impreza Wagon WRX, a little later the first STI (Subaru Tecnica International Inc, the company's motorsport division). The abbreviation “WRX” stands for “World Rally eXperimental”, sometimes also for “World Rally Cross”. The 150.000. Subaru is registered in Germany
1994: The first (Impreza) WRX STIs come to Europe in February
1995: Sales start for the second generation of the Libero. The Subaru Outback is launched as the first so-called SUW (Sport Utility Wagon). In fact, it is the Legacy station wagon, which has been equipped with numerous off-road attributes. Sales in Europe begin in 1996. Colin McRae wins the World Rally Championship in the drivers and constructors' championship for Subaru on a WRX STI. On August 22nd, Subaru will present the WRX STI II models, together with the WRX STI II 555 model, a replica of the World Rally Championship car, color Blue Mica with gold BBS rims. Subaru Germany wins the DSI dealer satisfaction index for the first time and is now among the top places in this discipline
1996: Subaru presents the new Impreza Coupé as WRX STI in September. In Germany, 150 units of the sportiest Impreza are sold under the name Impreza GT. The strong demand for this special model prompts Subaru Germany to include the turbo in its regular program. In addition, Subaru wins the constructors 'championship in the World Rally Championship with the WRX STI and Colin McRae takes second place for Subaru in the drivers' championship
1997: The Subaru Forester is launched as the first SUV with a station wagon. Another World Rally Championship title for Subaru in the constructors 'championship and Colin McRae takes second place in the drivers' championship for Subaru
1998: In Germany, the Impreza GT 2.0 turbo sedan is the top model in the Impreza range. Team Holzer wins the German rally championship. Occasion for a special model Subaru Impreza 2.0 GL Holzer Edition. The Legacy GT-B Turbo station wagon secures the title as the fastest series station wagon in the world in a record drive in Colorado with 270,532 km / h. The third Legacy generation and the second Outback make their debut, for the first time with a 3,0-liter six-cylinder boxer gasoline engine
1999: Again Armin Kremer wins the German rally championship on Impreza
2001: Richard Burns wins the World Rally Championship for Subaru
2003: In line with the so-called summer of the century, the Baja - a pick-up version of the Legacy, presented in 2002 - experiences its delayed German sales start with the target group of surfers and lifestyle-oriented pick-up buyers. The third generation of the Justy G3X small car is being built in cooperation with Suzuki (Suzuki Ignis there). Petter Solberg wins the last World Rally Championship for Subaru for the time being
2004: On the occasion of the world championship title in the previous year, Prodrive launches the STI edition "WR1 Impreza" with an output of 235 kW / 320 hp, which sprints to 4,2 km / h in 100 seconds
2005: With the new B9 Tribeca Subaru launches a new flagship model with a 3,0 liter or later even a 3,6-liter six-cylinder boxer gasoline engine. The model built in the USA cannot succeed in Germany
2007: In April the 300.000. Subaru sold in Germany. At the IAA Frankfurt, Subaru is showing the first four-cylinder boxer diesel engine of all time, which was specially developed for the European markets and will go on sale the following year
2008: With the world's first boxer diesel engine, the Legacy, and later also the other models, are set to score particularly well in Europe. Subaru withdraws from the World Rally Championship. The front-wheel drive Impreza 1.5 RF is expected to accelerate sales
2009: A technical world first is the Lineartronic automatic transmission, which will be presented at the IAA Frankfurt and will first be introduced in the fifth legacy generation. The stepless Lineartronic works with a stable chain for a theoretically unlimited number of gear ratios
2010: For the 2011 model year, the WRX STI will again be available as a four-door notchback sedan under the advertising slogan “The Wing is back”. 30 years after entering the market, Subaru has sold 323.801 vehicles in Germany and the Swiss Emil Frey Group now holds 71 ​​percent of the shares in Subaru Germany. The Subaru dealership network includes 420 partners
2011: The fourth and final Subaru Justy (a badge engineering model with Daihatsu that was only offered with front-wheel drive) is discontinued after four years. Subaru is leaving the small car segment. However, the new entry-level model is the Subaru Trezia minivan (identical to the Toyota Verso-S
2012: The fourth Impreza generation celebrates its premiere at the Leipzig AMI in April. For the time being, the STI is still based on the third Impreza generation and will not be renewed until two years later. The BRZ was launched as a classic sports car with rear-wheel drive and a high-revving boxer engine. Meanwhile, Toyota is launching the GT86 parallel model. With the XV, Subaru presents its first compact crossover
2013: Subaru extends its warranty promise to five years or 160.000 kilometers and launches the fourth Impreza and the fourth Forester
2014: Generation change now also for the WRX STI in Germany, which is also available as WRX STI Active without the distinctive rear wing. After five generations of Legacy, the series is only available in Germany in the Outback crossover variant
2015: The Legacy Kombi is also replaced in Europe by the Levorg introduced last year (the name is an acronym from LEgacy, reVOlution and touRinG); a 4,69 meter long mid-range station wagon that occupies a niche with boxer gasoline engines and all-wheel drive
2017: For the 100th birthday on April 1, 2017, the Subaru parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), adopted the name of the automotive subsidiary
2018: The Subaru WRX STI says goodbye to Europe. New in Germany are the second generation of the Subaru XV and the fifth edition of the Impreza
2019: The automakers Toyota and Subaru announce the joint development of a platform for electric vehicles
2020: At the beginning of the year, the near-series harbinger of a new edition of the Levorg will debut in Japan and will also be introduced in Germany. German market launch for the Subaru Forester with e-Boxer and the Impreza with e-Boxer. Like the compact Impreza and the SUV XV, the fifth generation of the Forester is based on the "Subaru Global Platform". Subaru is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its start in Germany with special models and a discount campaign. For 2021, the brand has announced a new edition of the SUV flagship Outback

Subaru model history in Germany

Subaru 1600 4WD / 1800 4WD (1981-1985)
Subaru 1800 L-series (1984-1994)
Subaru E10 / Libero (1984-1994)
Subaru Justy (1984-1995)
Subaru XT (1985-1990)
Subaru Legacy 1st generation (1989-1994)
Subaru SVX (1992-1997)
Subaru Legacy 2st generation (1993-1998)
Subaru Impreza 1st generation (1993-2000)
Subaru WRX STI 1st generation (1994-2000)
Subaru Libero 2nd generation (1995-1999)
Subaru Justy 2nd generation (1995-2003)
Subaru Legacy Outback 1st generation (1996-1999)
Subaru Forester 1st generation (1997-2002)
Subaru Legacy 3st generation (1998-2003)
Subaru Outback 2nd generation (1998-2003)
Subaru Impreza and WRX STI 2nd generation (2001-2007)
Subaru Baja (2002-2003)
Subaru Forester 2st generation (2002-2008)
Subaru Legacy 4st generation (2003-2009)
Subaru Outback 3nd generation (2003-2009)
Subaru Justy G3X (2003-2007)
Subaru Tribeca (2005-2014)
Subaru Justy (2007-2011)
Subaru Impreza 3st generation (2007-2011)
Subaru WRX STI 3st generation (2008-2014)
Subaru Forester 3st generation (2008-2013)
Subaru Legacy 5st generation (2009-2014)
Subaru Outback 4nd generation (2009-2014)
Subaru Trezia (2011-2014)
Subaru BRZ (2012-2020)
Subaru XV 1st generation (2012-2017)
Subaru Impreza 4st generation (2013-2017)
Subaru Forester 4st generation (2013-2020)
Subaru WRX STI 4st generation (2014-2018)
Subaru Outback 5nd generation (2015-2020)
Subaru XV 2nd generation (since 2018)
Subaru Impreza 5th generation (since 2018)
Subaru Forester 5th generation (since 2020)
Subaru Outback 6th Generation (from 2021)