The Subaru R2 was a kei car produced and sold in Japan from 2003 to 2010. It was the first Subaru to wear the company’s new spread-wings grille, and it revived a name used by the R-2 of 1969 to 1972.
Subaru R2 at a glance
| Maker | Fuji Heavy Industries, Japan |
|---|---|
| Production | 2003–2010 |
| Class | kei car |
| Name revived from | Subaru R-2 of 1969–1972 |
| Engine | 658 cc four-cylinder, mounted in line, not a boxer |
| Engines | SOHC, DOHC with variable valve timing, supercharged and intercooled Type S |
| Gearbox | manual or CVT; seven-speed iCVT on the supercharged car |
| Drive | front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive |
| Colours at launch | eleven |
| Trims at launch | three, one per engine |
| Facelift | November 2005, new grille |
| Two-door sister | Subaru R1, from January 2005 |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Subaru R2.
History of the Subaru R2
The R2 went on sale in Japan in 2003. It was the first production Subaru to wear the new family look, including the aviation-inspired spread-wings grille that later appeared on the Tribeca and Impreza. Its exterior dimensions were much the same as the Pleo it sat alongside, but instead of the Pleo’s square shape the R2 was deliberately rounded and less space-efficient.
Engines and gearboxes
Three versions of the 658 cc four-cylinder engine were offered: a single-overhead-camshaft unit, a twin-cam with variable valve timing, and a twin-cam with a supercharger and intercooler in the Type S. Unlike other Subaru models, which used flat-four boxer engines, the R2 had its engine mounted in line. The two lower engines could be ordered with a manual gearbox or a CVT, while the supercharged car came only with a sportshift seven-speed iCVT. Front- and all-wheel drive were both available.
At launch the R2 came in eleven colours and three trim levels, one for each engine. On 4 January 2005 Subaru added the R1, a two-door version of the R2 with a shorter body and wheelbase, and in November 2005 the R2 was facelifted, replacing the spread-wings grille with one resembling the Legacy. The model was discontinued in 2010.
Design and features
- Spread-wings grille: the first Subaru with the new family face.
- Rounded shape: less practical than the Pleo but more distinctive.
- Inline engine: the first kei Subaru without a boxer engine.
- Supercharged Type S: with a seven-speed iCVT.
- Eleven colours: a wide palette for a Japanese kei car.
Subaru R2 versions
- R2 with SOHC engine: the entry version with manual or CVT.
- R2 with DOHC AVCS engine: variable valve timing and the same gearbox choice.
- R2 Type S: supercharged and intercooled, seven-speed iCVT only.
- R2 facelift (2005): new grille in the style of the Legacy.
The R2 gave its shortened platform to the R1 and shared the kei class with the Pleo. More Subarus are in the Subaru collection.
Video: Subaru R2 4WD off road
Video by сергей штейников on YouTube.
Sources
- Subaru R2, English Wikipedia: design, engines, trims, facelift
