The new face of Subaru draws on the history of parent Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) and its role as an aerospace company.
FHI traces its beginnings to 1917 and the Nakajima Aircraft Company and for the last 30 years the company has been heavily involved with Boeing. It makes the centre-wing section connecting the main wings and the fuselage of the 777, for example.
What has all this to do with Subaru? New designer Andreas Zapatinas, a Greek who joined Subaru from Alfa Romeo, drew on this history to develop the "engine and wing" front of the Scrambler, unveiled at the
2003 Tokyo Motor Show.
The two-seater Scrambler is a petrol-electric hybrid. It uses the electric motor at speeds up to 50 mph with the 2.0-litre petrol engine giving assistance on uphill roads and taking over at faster speeds.
This engine sticks to Subaru's horizontally opposed or 'boxer' principles, and the Scrambler also has permanent four-wheel drive, another Subaru hallmark.
Interchange News Agency - 28 Oct 2003
