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| Subaru Rex | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Subaru |
| Also called | Subaru 500/600/700 Subaru Fiori Subaru Ace Subaru M60/M70/M80 Subaru Mini Jumbo Subaru Sherpa Subaru Viki Mini Subaru |
| Production | 1972–1992 |
| Assembly | Subaru-chō Plant, Ōta, Gunma, Japan |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Microcar/kei car |
| Layout | rear engine, rear drive (1972–1981) FF / AWD (1981–1992) |
| Related | Subaru Justy |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Subaru R-2 |
| Successor | Subaru Vivio |
The Subaru Rex (Japanese: スバル・レックス, Hepburn: Subaru Rekkusu), also known as Ace, Viki, Sherpa, 500/600/700, Mini Jumbo, Mini Subaru or M60/M70/M80 in various export markets, is a kei class automobile produced from 1972 to 1992 mainly for sale in Japan by Subaru, although it was also sold in Europe, South America, Australia and the Caribbean. The Rex superseded the R-2 as Subaru's kei car, and has been available in commercial use versions as well as in a passenger car version. It underwent major changes in 1976, in fall 1981, and again in late 1986. The second generation Rex (1981–1986) also formed the basis for the larger Subaru Justy.
The name "Rex" comes from the Latin word for "king". This was probably a response to Suzuki, who referred to the LC10 Suzuki Fronte as the "Queen of the keis" in their period marketing.[1] In some export markets, the Sambar microvan has been marketed as the "Rex Combi".[2]
The "Rex" nameplate has been reused since 2022 as a subcompact crossover SUV based on the A200 series Daihatsu Rocky.
- ^ Meyer, Allan G. Y. (1996). "Suzuki Fronte, Queen For a Day". AutoPhyle. 5 (Spring, #2). Watsonville, CA: 8.
- ^ Ruiz, Marco (1986). The Complete History of the Japanese Car: 1907 to the Present. Rome: ERVIN srl. p. 165. ISBN 0-517-61777-3.