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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) is a kei class automobile manufactured and marketed for model years 1972-1992 by Subaru primarily for the Japanese Domestic Market, although it was also sold in Europe, South America, Australia and the Caribbean — variously as the Ace, Viki, Sherpa, 500/600/700, Mini Jumbo, Mini Subaru or M60/M70/M80.
The Rex superseded the R-2 as Subaru's kei car, and was available in commercial use versions as well as in a passenger car version.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 possibly a response to Suzuki, who referred to their LC10 Fronte as the "Queen of the keis" in their period marketing.[1] In some export markets, the Sambar microvan was 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.