Subaru SVX

Subaru
SVX
Production period:	1991-1997
Class :	Sports car
Body versions :	Coupe
Engines:	Otto engine : 3.3 liters (171 kW)
Length:	4625 mm
Width:	1770 mm
Height:	1300 mm
Wheelbase :	2610 mm
Empty weight :	1580-1620 kg
Previous model	Subaru XT
successor	Subaru BRZ

Rear view

The Subaru SVX (in Japan Alcyone SVX ) was a mid-1991 by the Japanese car manufacturer by the end of 1997 Fuji Heavy Industries produced sports coupe with all-wheel or front-wheel drive.

history

Subaru presented the SVX in July 1991 in the USA, in September 1991 in Japan and subsequently in selected other markets. The SVX was the successor to the Coupé XT, which has now been stylistically outdated with its angular design .

The series version was preceded by a prototype that was shown at automobile shows in 1990 and differed only slightly from the series model.

The SVX was only moderately received in its largest market, the USA, selling 5,180 in 1991/1992 and 3,859 in 1993. Subaru had expected 10,000 pieces per year. The factory countered with the introduction of a front-wheel drive and more economically equipped variant called the LS for the 1994 model year. Nevertheless, sales in the USA fell to 1609 units in 1994. In 1995 it increased again temporarily, to 1812 units, only to drop to 1432 units in 1996, when there were only four-wheel drive versions again.

When it dropped to 640 in late 1997, Subaru stopped SVX production.

In total, Subaru's SVX sold 14,257 copies in the United States and around 25,000 worldwide. 2478 pieces went to Europe, 854 of them to Germany. A good 7000 SVX had right-hand drive.

body

In contrast to the angular XT, the SVX had a rounded body line, designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro , and unusual glazing with two-part side windows. The divider runs at about 2/3 the height of the window and followed the contour of the roof above. These half-windows are otherwise more likely to be seen in models with scissor or wing doors such as the Lamborghini Countach or the De Lorean DMC-12 . In the course of developing the SVX, Subaru patented a special heat process for forming glass.

drive

While the XT had been available with a turbo four-cylinder or as a suction six-cylinder, the SVX was only available with one engine, a water-cooled 3.3-liter boxer engine with six cylinders (type EG33). The engine was a direct further development of the 2.7-liter (type ER27) from the XT; However, the new engine had two overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder and made 230 hp at 5400 rpm and 309 Nm at 4400 rpm with a compression increased to 10: 1. The top speed was 249 km / h. From the year of construction 1994 a speed limiter was installed to limit the top speed to 230 km / h. From model year 1996, the engine output was reduced to 220 hp, the maximum torque changed to 304 Nm.

The engine power was countered by an empty weight of a good 1600 kilograms. The SVX was only available with four-stage automatic, which also had a sport mode. The trade press measured times around 7.5 seconds for the standard sprint from 0 to 100 km / h.

Problem points

Gearbox damage, warped brake discs and defective wheel bearings are known to occur occasionally with the SVX. The transmission damage was due to a use on the transmission oil cooler. If the transmission oil is not changed regularly, dirt accumulates in it, which over time obstructed the transmission oil flow, which could then lead to the death of the transmission. Subaru later fixed that by integrating a filter into the transmission's oil circuit. The warped brake discs are mainly due to poorly chosen lining qualities (and perhaps also to inadequate ventilation of the discs). The problems with the rear wheel bearings are due either to defective seals or incorrect assembly in the factory.

swell

1. ↑ [1]

Collectible Automobile , April 1997, pages 80-82

Web links

Commons : Subaru SVX  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• subarusvx.com (English)