Subaru Baja

Subaru
	Subaru Baja (2005)
Baja
Production period:	2002-2006
Class :	Utilities
Body versions :	Pick up
Engines:	Petrol engines : ; 2.5 liters ; (123–157 kW)
Length:	4905 mm
Width:	1781 mm
Height:	1631-1654 mm
Wheelbase :	2649 mm
Empty weight :	approx. 1500 kg
Previous model	Subaru Brat

The Subaru Baja was a four-door pickup based on passenger cars offered by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Subaru from early 2002 to mid-2006 in the USA .

The Baja made use of the Legacy and Outback models . Like this one, it was manufactured for the US market at Subaru's Lafayette plant in Indiana , which is why the manufacturer's name contains SIA ( Subaru of Indiana Automotive ).

history

The production model was preceded by a study called the STX in 2000, which, although it did not reinvent the concept of the car-based pickup, revived it after the similarly designed Ford Ranchero , Chevrolet El Camino and Subaru's own BRAT no longer existed for over ten years .

The Baja was 15 centimeters longer than the Outback and offered a four-door passenger cabin, behind which there was a 1040 mm long open loading area with a rear loading flap. The rear seat bench could be folded down as well as a small flap behind it in the rear wall, resulting in a 1900 mm long loading area.

With this versatile concept, the Baja competed against much larger and more fuel-intensive US models such as the Chevrolet Avalanche and the Ford Sport-Trac . With the Baja, Subaru turned to a young, sporty clientele who recognized the advantages of the relatively small dimensions and the Subaru-typical all-wheel drive. Accessories such as the bike racks underlined the Baja's marketing goal.

The Baja received a mild reception. Subaru friends complained about the lack of advertising for the model, the delayed introduction of a turbo version, the initially high price, the unsightly plastic protective shields on the flanks and the unusual yellow-silver color scheme of the first models.

At the beginning of 2003, Subaru Germany imported 153 Baja Sport and offered them for sale after minor modifications to the lighting system for the German market.

In four and a half years, Subaru's Baja sold only 30,000 units worldwide.

In May 2006, the production of the Baja was finished without much ado.

Changes to the model year

2003 :

The model that was initially available had leather seats, an electrically adjustable driver's seat and a sliding roof as standard. In view of the initially high price, the factory launched a more economical sports version with fabric covers and manually adjustable seats, which was presented in the course of the year. The sport also lacked exterior door handles and rearview mirror housings in body color, leather steering wheel and gear shift gaiter, the exit lights in the front doors and the ignition key with integrated light.

2004 :

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

2005 :

Apart from new colors and a few small details changes, nothing has been changed. All models received a socket in the center console and map pockets in the back of the front seat backrests; Turbo models with leather upholstery come with a new load compartment tarpaulin.

2006 :

In the last model year, the Baja was only offered in three single-color paint schemes. The Turbo could be ordered at an additional cost with an equipment package that included leather upholstery, seat heating, special aluminum rims, a fixed load compartment cover and automatic transmission. Theft protection has been improved on all models.

Web links

Commons : Subaru Baja - Collection of images, videos and audio files