Fuji Heavy Industries Introduces All-New Mini Car, the Subaru R1

Tokyo December 29. 2004; JCNN reported that Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd., known for it's Subaru brand, has announced the introduction of the Subaru R1, an all-new mini car for the Japanese market. The company will begin the sale of the R1 through its Subaru dealerships nationwide on January 4, 2005.

Built on a concept of a unique mini car with streamlined packaging, the R1 model boasts outstanding fuel economy, a high level of safety features, smart design and high quality looks, with a comfortable and functional interior space.

While the new car has been designed as a 3-door mini car that essentially seats 2 passengers, it features flexible rear space that can become either two seats or a spacious luggage area.

Equipped with a 4-cylinder, DOHC, naturally aspirated engine (660 cc) with an active valve control system (AVCS) as well as the i-CVT (intelligent continuously variable transmission), the R1 has achieved fuel economy of 24.0 km/L (10-15 mode cycle; 2WD model), ranking it among the most fuel efficient mini cars in Japan.

The R1 meets Japan's Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (U-LEV) standards set forth by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT), which call for the reduction of an additional 50% of emissions from the levels of the 2005 exhaust emission regulations, and it also achieves the 2010 fuel economy standards plus an additional 5%, all without comprising on superb driving performance.