Subaru Rex

Subaru Rex
Production period:	1972-1992
Class :	Microcar
Body versions :	Station wagon , panel van
Previous model:	Subaru R-2
Successor:	Subaru Vivio

The Subaru Rex was first introduced in 1972 as a three-door microcar of the kei car class in Japan . The model name Rex means king in Latin . The car was equipped with a 360 cm³ air-cooled rear engine and rear wheel drive . In export, the model was called Subaru 400 .

With the model change in 1981, the Rex now had a front-engine and front-wheel drive . This car was sold as the Subaru 600/700 and Subaru Mini Jumbo in Europe and in Australia as the Subaru Sherpa . The Justy introduced in 1984 was based on the 81 model . In 1986 there was another model change of the Rex, which was followed by a facelift in 1989. This model is also known as the Subaru Sherpa / Fiori and Subaru M70 / M80 . The successor to the Subaru Rex was the Vivio in 1992 . In its Japanese homeland, where it was also available in the VX turbo version, the Rex still has the status of a cult car today. A total of 1,902,811 Subaru Rex were produced.

Rex K21 / K22 / K42 Subaru 400 1972-1976

Rex K21
Subaru Rex K21 (1972-1981)
Production period:	1972-1981
Body versions :	Station wagon , panel van
Engines:	Petrol engines : 0.36–0.55 liters
Length:	2995-3190 mm
Width:	1295-1395 mm
Height:	1255-1385 mm
Wheelbase :	1920 mm
Empty weight :	480-570 kg

The Rex K21 was introduced in July 1972 as a replacement for the Subaru R-2 . Like its predecessor, it had a rear engine and rear-wheel drive with a 4-speed manual transmission . However, the body had been significantly modernized so that a rear trunk was now available. The design of the new Rex was based on the L series . The Rex came onto the market with the water-cooled EK34 two-stroke engine with 356 cm³, originally introduced in the R-2, and as a three-door hatchback. In February 1973 a five-door hatchback model was added to the range. While the EK34 engine produced 23 kW (30 hp) with a single carburetor, a double carburettor produced 27 kW (37 hp).

In October 1973 the two-stroke engine was replaced by the water-cooled four-stroke engine EK21. In addition, there was a slight facelift on the front with a new chassis code: K22. Disc brakes at the front were now optionally available. The Rex K22 was exported as Subaru 400.

From February 1974 there was a 3-door "Van" (K42) called delivery van model with sheet metal side windows without rear seats, which made for considerable savings in taxes and fees with a 20 kW (26 hp) version of the EK21 engine. In addition, there was now an optional 5-speed manual transmission. In April 1975 the van got a higher roof and became a four-seater. This became necessary due to the Japanese commercial vehicle regulation. The engines have now been equipped with the SEEC-T emissions control system.

Rex K23 / K43 Subaru 500-600 1976-1981

In response to new regulations for kei cars, Subaru introduced the Rex 5 in May 1976. This retained the earlier body (but extended by 10 cm and with an extended bonnet for a total length of 3.185 mm / 125.4 in) and a 490 cc engine. The Rex 5 (K23, K43 in the van version) now had 23 kW (31 hp) as standard, the van version 21 kW (28 hp). This version, called the Subaru 500 in export, was replaced by the larger Rex 550 exactly one year after its introduction.

The Rex 550 / Subaru 550 was introduced in May 1977, had the SEEC-T equipped water-cooled four-stroke 544 cm³ EK23 series engine. Again mounted in the rear and coupled with a four-speed manual transmission, the max. Power at 31 PS (23 kW) at a slightly lower engine speed and increased torque. The chassis code became K24 for the van K44. As usual, the van received a lower version of the engine with 21 kW (28 hp). The Rex 550 / Subaru 550 was called the Subaru 600 in most export markets .

In March 1978 the SwingBack version , a two-door sedan with a larger rear window, was added. The large rear window had a slightly smaller opening to the engine compartment, but that was more than made up for as access to the rear trunk from the outside was now much more convenient. In March 1979, the Rex received a slight facelift with new rims and slightly modified bumpers and a small spoiler.

In response to the very cheap Suzuki Alto , a version of the van called the Family Rex was available from October 1979, which had a very low price of ¥ 480,000 (less than $ 2,000 at the time). From March 1980 there was an optional automatic transmission for the Rex K23 / Subaru 550-600.

Rear view
Five-door
Subaru 600

Subaru Rex KA / Subaru Sherpa / Subaru 600/700 1981–1986

Subaru Rex / Subaru 600/700 Mini Jumbo / Sherpa
Subaru Rex KA
Production period:	1981-1986
Body versions :	Station wagon
Engines:	Petrol engines : 0.55-0.66 liters
Length:	3195 mm
Width:	1395 mm
Height:	1350 mm
Wheelbase :	2255 mm
Empty weight :	565 kg

In August 1981, the second generation of the Subaru Rex with front-engine and front-wheel drive , all-round independent suspension and 4-speed manual transmission was introduced. In the European markets the car was sold as Subaru 600 or Subaru Mini Jumbo , in Australia as Subaru Sherpa . With the 544 cm³ engine and 21 kW (31 hp), the output remained the same as that of its predecessor. A 5-speed manual transmission or a 3-speed automatic transmission was optionally available. In 1982 the Rex Dino was introduced. For this purpose, the Fuji Sankei Communications Group was founded, which was the first vehicle to sell the Rex Dino exclusively via mail order throughout the industry.

In September 1982 a larger 665 cc version of the two-cylinder engine with now 27 kW (37 hp) was installed. The top speed was now 125 km / h instead of 110 km / h. From October 1983 four-wheel drive was optionally available for the 3-door, a novelty in this vehicle class. This was activated electrically by pressing an embedded switch in the gear lever. From December 1983 in Japan the 544 cm³ engine with turbocharger was built for the 4WD version , and there were now internally ventilated disc brakes at the front as standard. In September 1984 the front was redesigned, which was now adapted to the sister model Justy with 2-cornered headlights, the all-wheel drive was now also available for the five-door versions. In September 1985 the 5-speed manual transmission became standard equipment. Production of the Rex 2 / Sherpa ended in September 1986.

Subaru 600/700 Subaru Mini Jumbo Europe 1981–1984

Originally the Rex 2 was offered as Subaru 600 or Subaru Mini Jumbo from 1981 with the 544 cc engine. When the 665 cc engine was introduced in September 1982, the 600 became the Subaru 700 , along with a 9 cm longer vehicle length due to larger bumpers and 12-inch wheels (instead of the ten-inch units in Japan). A 5-speed manual transmission and internally ventilated disc brakes were installed as standard. The 544 cc engine was only available again with the introduction of all-wheel drive from October 1983 with a turbocharger. Unlike in Japan, the 5-door model was also available with all-wheel drive. In the course of 1984 the import of the Subaru 700 / Subaru Mini Jumbo was stopped in favor of the Subaru Justy , which was extended and widened on the Rex2 .

Yunque GHK 1991-2005

Guizhou Youngman Yunque Automobile Company from China built the second generation Subaru Rex under license as Yunque GHK between 1991 and 2005.

Rex 2 five-door
Rex 2 facelift version
Yunque GHK

Subaru Rex KG / Subaru Mini Jumbo M70 / Subaru Sherpa 1986–1989

Rex KG / KH 1986-1992
Rex KG
Production period:	1986-1992
Body versions :	Station wagon
Engines:	Petrol engines : 0.55-0.76 liters
Length:	3195 mm
Width:	1395 mm
Height:	1360 mm
Wheelbase :	2255 mm
Empty weight :	590 kg

The third generation Rex KG was presented in November 1986 with three or five doors. In export, the Rex KG was called the Mini Jumbo M70 in Europe and the Sherpa M70 in Australia . In addition to a SOHC engine with 544 cm³ and 22 kW (30 PS) (not for export), there was now the 665 cm³ version with 3 valves per cylinder (two inlet and one exhaust valve) and 26 kW (36 PS) . Turbo engines were no longer offered.

From February 1987, permanent all-wheel drive was optionally available, but only in conjunction with the more powerful three-valve engine. As of June 1987, there was an optional CVT transmission , the EVT was called. A turbocharged version with charge air cooling , electronic injection system and compressor was offered as an option from March 1988. The engine output increased to 40 kW (55 PS). From May 1988, there was now an optional large central electric sunroof .

Subaru Rex KH / Subaru Mini Jumbo M80 / Subaru Fiori 1989–1992

In June 1989 there was a facelift, the EK series engine with 665 cm³ was replaced by the EN05 engine, which increased the output to 28 kW (38 hp) for the standard engine and 45 kw (61 hp) for the supercharged engine. In July, the export versions received the same changes and became the Subaru Mini Jumbo M80 in Europe and Subaru Fiori in Australia. As early as March 1990 there was another facelift with a 660 cm³ version of the EN engine and a more rounded front due to new regulations for the kei cars. For export there was also a 4-cylinder EN08 engine with carburettor and 758 cm³ displacement. This motor has made 31 kW (42 HP) at 6,000 min ^-1 , so that the vehicle reached a maximum speed of 130 km / h.

The end for the Rex came in March 1992 when it was replaced by the Subaru Vivio . In China, the KG / KH Rex was produced and sold as Jiangbei Meilu JJ 7090 .

Rex KH 3-door
Rex KH 5-door

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